re: Planning a trip to Europe(Barcelona and Amsterdam)

I just got back from amsterdam a couple weeks ago. Overtoom (street)is booming now with a lot of bars and cafes. Its an easy walk from Leidseplein if you want to get out of the tourist zone. De Ebeling cafe was rockin' on saturday night when we were there. For lunch Foodhallenis an indoor food court mall near Overtoom. It has probably 20 or so food kiosks run by local restaurants. If you are in old town, Maoz is a good falafel/ Mediterranean food spot. Another good beer spot is Brewery Troost in Westergas. Westergas is a fairly new area in a big new park. Lots of stuff has sprung up there since I was last in Amsterdam.