Rome and Amsterdam Recs

In Rome have lunch at Osteria da Fortunata.

There are actually 2 restaurants located across the street from each other. Same menu, etc just needed more room.

Best Carbonara I've ever had

Skip the Trevi. Much more impressive stuff at the Vatican.

They are doing improvements for the Jubilee, so some stuff in Rome is under construction. Just got back from there.

If you are doing the Colosseum, go next door to the Roman Forum.
Especially if you are a Christian, another under the radar thing to look into nearby is the Mamertine Prison where Paul and likely Peter were held. Lastly, when you are walking around and pass a church---go inside. Any church. Rome is a world class art gallery on just about every corner.

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Lastly, when you are walking around and pass a church---go inside. Any church.

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This. Wandered into St. Ignatius of Loyola one night walking around. They had the door open and a choir was singing, it was inviting. Walked in, looked up, and saw this incredible fresco on the ceiling that was painted to give the affect of the church having a dome. It was super neat.

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Amsterdam: Only thing booked is Ann Frank House Any restaurant recs??

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Repeat comment spam, but posted this one on here a few times as I live here:

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if you’re a confident urban cyclist do rent a bike as it’s the best way to get around, point your fingers intuitively left or right as turn signals (none this weird 90 degrees angle with your left arm shite).

Visit and cycle through the Vondelpark, do some sort of canal cruise - self-piloted with Sloep Delen or Mokum Boot are good bets.

If you’re really an avid cyclist and want a relaxing excursion away from Amsterdam’s hustle and hustle you can cycle northward to the quaint fishing villages of Monnickedam, Marken, Volendam and Edam the whole circuit can be done in a day.

For drinks and food I can throw some tailored recommendations in you let indicate your interests, OP, but a few favorites:

- Aarenssnest a quaint pub in the heart of the canal belt specializing in Dutch beers

- Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Amsterdam’s oldest and most well known craft brewery, there original brewpub is in the shadow of/attached to a historic windmill on the eastern fringes of the city center. They have another location called “Het Blauwe Theehuis” (the blue tea house) in the middel of Vondelpark which I prefer.

- Café Brecht - a Berlin style quirky cafe, modeled after a turn of century living room, they have a good rotating selection of German Beers and snacks, as well as some nicely priced seasonally rotating cocktails and natural wines. Slightly eccentric artsy crowd, but also yuppy-ish and trendy.

- Sins of Sal - trendy cocktail bar with high end bites inspired by latin American fare with a twist (primarily Mexican)

- Hannekes Boom - a favorite of locals and tourists alike, sporting a large waterfront terrace with several docks and lovely views onto the city center , on sunny days patrons arrive on foot, by bike or boat.

- FUKU Ramen - a high-end Ramen joint serving a very excellent value for money tasting menu, and hosting walk-in ala carte days on Sundays.

- Luminair - trendy rooftop cocktail perched atop the Hilton Doubletree next to Centraal Station, unparalleled views over the city center.

- Tales & Spirits - another excellent cocktail bar.

- Blauw - high-end Indonesian cuisine, which the Dutch have colonized/claimed as their own.

- China Sichuan - a formerly Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant boasting multiple locations around the RLD. They may have lost their star some years ago, but the food is still excellent and mouth numbingly spicy in true Szechaun style fashion

- Sea Palace - the big floating pagoda, near the central station, it’s not all gimmick they serve excellent Dim Sum here for lunch (Amsterdam has some top-notch Chinese restaurants if it wasn’t already apparent)

- Mozzico - serving up delicious authentic Italian (Roman-style) pizza, I recommend the Diavola

- Parakeet - a gourmet Nachos bar, American owned, they fry their totopos up in house. Inventive tasty cocktails and homemade salsa queso blanco

- A-Fusion - Asian fusion fare served in tapas style sharing/small plates. Not Michelin starred but accoladed (“Bib Gourmand”)

- Box Sociaal - an Aussie style brunch place with two locations. Good cocktails especially their house bloody mary.

- Plantage - an attractive elegant but not overly expensive institution. French influence pan modern European fare.

- De Kas - haven’t been but it’s a very highly regarded and Michelin-starred restaurant. kas means greenhouse and the idea is that they produce most of their food

- La Oliva - serving the best pintxos (tapas) in Amsterdam

- Café Soundgarden - a divey bar with a lovely canal-side patio/terrace, which is 420-friendly for those so inclined . Vibe is an eclectic mix of local Dutch and internationals, with tinges of punk and grunge. Great place to enjoy the fruits Amsterdam in the sunshine.

- Skatecafé + Garage Noord - two adjacent techno clubs in the North of Amsterdam (Noord), younger-ish crowd but this is one of the more popular clubs or pairs thereof, locally.

Stacks - American owned, the concept and decor is diner-style but it’s more high end with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients and experimental dishes

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As mentioned if you’re in search of particular type of bar, activity or cuisine, let me know and I’ll do my best to provide suitable suggestions.

Veel plezier in Amsterdam!

Edit to add: some things are a bit subject to time of year and weather, boat rentals and Vondelpark are naturally ideal in the April-October stretch

in amsterdamn, rent a bike and travel throughout the city that way.

Go to The Louisiana in Haarlem and make fun of their food.