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 | Are we about to reach a change of taste? |
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Everybody knows this feeling of a mumbling stomach that appears a couple of times a day or the desire to have some delicious sweetie even if we are not hungry? And what happens if we are not at home or at work where we can cook or unpack our prepared sandwiches? Then fast food chains hop in the gap to satisfy the empty stomach. Mc Donalds, Burger King and Co seem to attract a mass of people who don’t know what to eat while being not at home. French fries, hamburgers, cheese burgers and now even healthy salads and sandwiches for figure-conscious wannabes are on the menu and finally end up in hungry stomachs that scream for more after an hour of unsatisfying digestion. But for all those who are fed up with greasy food and no taste: there is a light at the end of the tunnel! In the last couple of years a variety of new chains, snack bars and eateries have opened their doors and give an option for all those appreciating good quality food that tastes and looks like food and keeps your stomach busy for more than an hour.
Let’s take an example: Amsterdam!! The city with the wicked reputation thanks to hundreds of coffee shops and the notorious red-light district has much more to offer than girls in red lighted windows and stoned youths; especially when it comes to having a snack during the day. Of course there are many places that are packed with small eateries selling goodies and over-priced “broodjes”. But like everywhere else, some places are better than others. A delicious alternative and probably the new way of fast food are Asian take-aways such as “Wok to Walk” in Reguliersbreestratt, Kolksteeg and Leidsestraat. Their trick is that you assemble your meal and watch how it is prepared. On a basis of noodles or rice (4,95 €) you can add additional ingredients (vegetables and meat) for 1 – 2 €, choose out of a variety of sauces and off you go. You never wait longer than 10 minutes and here you definitely get what you see. Other options are soup bars like “soup en zo” in Jodenbreestraat or Nieuwe Spiegelstraat or vegetarian snack bars such as “maoz” which serves fresh falafel. Soup bars are a great idea and should not be underestimated as some soups are quite heavy. All products are freshly made and served with warm bread and some topping of your choice. People can select between purely vegetarian soups and meat dishes. For all those who like chick peas and everything that is made of them, “maoz” is the place to go. Fresh falafel with an extraordinary good choice of salads that are included in the price and can be added to your falafel as often as you like surely fills up your stomach. Besides the salad bar you can use different sauces, from mild to hot and spicy. Amsterdam has 6 Maoz locations (T.O. Central Station, Muntplein, Leidsestraat, Ferdinand Bolstraat, 1e van de Helststraat and Oudebrugsteeg).
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But also cafes have upgraded their menus and are certainly an alternative to old fast food habits. Some of the cafes at the Nieuwmarkt are definitely worth a try due to their tasty lunch menu. ‘t Loosje and Poco Loco are two cafes which serve delicious sandwiches at reasonable prices. Especially Poco Loco has a great choice of salads, warm and cold panninis and toasts (3.95€ to 8 €). And the neighbourhood is lively and just a minute away from the red light district and the Dam Square. Another great place to eat and enjoy yourself, is the “La Place” right in the centre of Amsterdam, at the end of Kalverstraat, close to Muntplein. Located in the V&D, this eatery is a heaven for food lovers. Freshly made soups, pizza, salads, and meat dishes are making your mouth water. All kinds of vegetables, no matter if grilled, raw or in combination with sauces and cheese are served. Besides, they have a great choice of cakes and cookies as well as fresh juices and fruits salads. It is not cheap, depending on what you are buying, but it is a healthy way to lunch. On the base floor the eatery also has a shop where food can be purchased for take away. Also fresh juices, all sorts of fresh bread, grilled vegetables, salads and sweeties are a blessing for your eyes and your mouth. Of course there are more and more cafes and eateries that should be mentioned just like the “Café De Jaren” which has an excellent tomato soup and small bites. Or the cafes and snack bars in Haarlemerstraat which already look very inviting from the outside.
As one can see nowadays there are hundreds of ways to find a bite for in between without going to the big fast food chains as we know them. It is not just a fashion as people might think because we have reached a stage where high quality food gets more and more important to get ourselves working and our bodies functioning. And I can promise, you will love it! So next time you get out to grab something to eat keep in mind that their might be something delicious just around the corner before deciding to have a hamburger and some sweet soft drink.
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