What a difference a day makes?
Twenty-four little hours!
Twenty-four little hours!
After yesterday’s less than enthusiastic appraisal of Amsterdam, I’m prepared to eat my hat - of course that’s not giving much away as I only ever wear one when the sun is blisteringly hot! But I’m quite happy to accept that I was a bit previous and can now see that there’s a lot on offer here, and we’ve only scratched the surface so far.
Today has mostly been about the Rijksmuseum, the famous national collection of all things Dutch, and wow what a place it is. We’ve been all day apart from a break for lunch and a walk, doing just the highlights this morning and then mopping up a couple of other app-based tours this afternoon, and still didn’t do justice to more that half of the exhibits. It is a stupendous place, recently renovated, with wonderful vast halls, dozens of smaller rooms, a library to house just to house predominantly paintings although there are other exhibits too.
It’s the clarity of the work that amazes, the Dutch Masters were aptly named, and one can’t help feeling that they are way ahead of any other artists of their time.That’s just my opinion, I’m no art expert!
We broke at lunch-time to walk to the very near Vondelpark, passing the remaining buildings of the arts quarter, more of which tomorrow, and then walked the mile-length of this "Central Park” like park with many lakes and open spaces, had our excellent sandwiches (spotted a glorious deli en route) before returning to the Rijksmuseum.
Aftetwards we returned via a circuitous route to take in the Hermitage (yes, another heavily canalled city) outpost, and the National Opera and Ballet of Netherlands before returning t our room for a short break.
Then we went down to our bar/rectory for another rather nice Chardonnay before we headed out to Lt. Cornelis for dinner. This speciality Dutch Restaurant showcases classic cuisine.
We took a rather long way round and arrived a little late, but it tuned out to be of no consequence as the service was so laid back a mere 10 minutes counted for nothing! When food eventually arrived it was stunning, staring with the amuse but notably with the first course proper, a beef tartare with among other things, gherkin ice-cream to die for!
Next came Ginea fowl with peas at least three ways, quite exceptional, before the main of salted beef, herb mashed potatoes with asparagus, heirloom tomatoes and beetroot.
Moving on was a surprise as 5 shot glasses appeared, to deliver the liqueurs of fennel, apple pie, three herbs, butter candy and vanilla - each matched perfectly with a Dutch cheese!
Our final treat was Muscat de Beaumes de Venise to match the pudding of (amongst others) frangipane taste - just fabulous!
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