At the beginning of this year, Dutchman celebrated his birthday, as well as my dear Blondine who I have missed travelling with. January or winter babies as they say here in the Netherlands. For the record, I am a summer baby.
Blondine has finally arrived the mid-thirties, well precisely mid-thirty that is. Congratulations! Gefeliciteerd! That’s how we normally greet someone celebrating their birthday in the Netherlands, not Happy Birthday. We do not also sing the usual Happy Birthday song here, instead we sing the Lang zal ze leven (Long they will live) song with a hip hip hurrah at the end. Yes, the quirkiness of the Dutch.
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
Anyway, I met up with Blondine to mark her officially entering the mid-thirty phase. She chose to go to Krasnapolsky in the heart of Amsterdam Centrum for a luscious afternoon tea.
The afternoon tea used to be served at the Winter Garden (Wintertuin) but in the recent years they have moved the afternoon tea dining to the Restaurant Grand Cafe Mathilde which has a nice view of the Dam Square. Not a bad decision at all but the Wintertuin is gorgeous as well.
The Wintertuin (Winter Garden) is an 18th century summer garden atrium capped with high glass ceilings and wrought iron style frame architectural design which reminds me of the Madrid Atocha Railway Station. She is in fact a lovely showcase item for the hotel which is now owned by hotel chain, NH Hoteles. They serve here the buffet breakfasts for their guests.
As we were curious, naturally anything with this type of elegant and monumental space, I am always curious, thus Blondine and I quickly paid a visit before going to Mathilde.
Done with our curiousity, it is now time to hie off to Mathilde for some afternoon tea treat.
Afternoon Tea at Grand Cafe Mathilde
Facebook: Grand Cafe Mathilde (Hotel Krasnapolsky)
We booked the usual Afternoon Tea package and we were so glad the restaurant has reserved a table for us at the window. We have the view to the Dam Square, which I must say has pretty much enhanced our enjoyment while dining.
At the Grand Cafe Mathilde they have a special menu for the Afternoon Tea where you can choose some of the courses that are part in the package. Its like ala carte which I really like. Sometimes you prefer something else than just the standard sandwiches and cakes which you will get anyway in the first servings. I love the idea that they offer some variety.
Our waiter as well was a very friendly and well trained guy who knew when to come and pour us tea and get our order for the next serving. He took care of us and he even offered to take a picture of us after seeing me photographing everything, haha. Bedankt!
The first to come is the standard three-layered tray of scones with clotted cream and jam, macarons and bonbons and pita bread sandwiches in cucumber, salmon and turkey.
We had the option for a prosecco but decided to go for a fresh orange juice drink.
We each had a pot of tea in a modern style tea infuser. I have one like this at home that I never use. The teas were change (or refilled) for every course. The menu shows which tea is best to pair for which dish so that is quite easy when it comes to tea pairing. However, I always prefer my tea black and strong.
Then our 2nd course arrived which Blondine and I ordered ala carte from the Afternoon Tea menu.
I chose for salamis, my favourite. If you do not know this I am crazy about salamis, I hunt them down in my travels tasting the local salami of the country I am visiting and most of the times I bring back some home. Blondine on the other hand settled for some mushroom (truffle) soup.
Then the third which is the last course arrived.
I love vegetables so I was resolved in having them for the afternoon but grilled please. Seasonal vegetables: courgette, asparagus, beans, aubergine, mushrooms and dried tomatoes. Blondine was craving for some beef with a lovely cream sauce. She fell in love with the cream sauce by the way =)
I noticed that the restaurant cafe is mostly frequented by guests staying in the hotel, if not, passing curious tourists who wish to snack or drink coffee in style which is very understandable given the location.
We enjoyed the food and our time here at the Grand Cafe Mathilde. 4.2 stars our of 5!
TIP: The hotel has the oldest functioning restaurant in Amsterdam (circa 1885) with a jaw-dropping classical belle epoque style interior called Restaurant Reflet (which I would love to visit another time).
Travel Period: January 2014
Destination: Amsterdam Centrum (North Holland), The Netherlands
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)