French Restaurants

Bon Appetit is said in many restaurants in Amsterdam. However, in which restaurants can you enjoy French food?

Pure pleasure without pretensions
Bordewijck Amstelstraat 9, Amsterdam, T 020 8904757 website
Splendid cuisine and service, less impressive decor.

Utrechtsedwarsstafel Utrechtsedwarsstraat 107, Amsterdam, T. 020 6254189 website
Chefs menu only. But don’t worry, he won’t disappoint you.

Te Pas Lijnbaansgracht 274, Amsterdam,T. 020 7735990 website
Two no-nonsense brother with a passion for providing lovely dishes. Great price-quality.

Fyra Noorderstraat 19-21-23, Amsterdam, T. 020 4283632 website
Two young couples living out their dream to run a fabulous French restaurant.

Pompidou Koninginneweg 263, Amsterdam, T. 020 470 7835 website

Newcomer in Oud-Zuid; styling and impression. Loved the creme brulee!

Formal Excellence & Ambiance
Ciel Blue (2 stars), Hotel Okura, F. Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam, T. 020 6787450 website
La Rive (1 star), Amstel Hotel, Prof. Tulpplein 1, Amsterdam, T. 020 5203264 website
Vinkeles (1 star), Keizersgracht 384, Amsterdam, T. 020 5302000 website

Le Restaurant Tweede Jan Steenstraat 3, Amsterdam, T. 020 3792207 website
May be you have been one of the lucky few who managed to get a table at this well-celebrated restaurant?

A Paris Feel
Cafe George Leidsegracht 84, Amsterdam, T. 020 6260802 website
Nice French food for funky people. And remember, everything for ‘funky people’ in Amsterdam goes hand in hand with poor customer service, especially if you yourself are not as funky as the other funky guests...

Brasserie Flo Amstelstraat 9, Amsterdam, T. 020 8904757 website
A simple success Parisian concept copied in Amsterdam and not to be missed in a listing of French restaurants.

Two Amsterdam secrets...
In ‘t Vierde Baarsje Surinamestraat 32, Amsterdam, T. 020 6166796
Don’t be mislead by the outdated decor, less-trendy waiter and rather old clientele; the food in surprisingly good!

La Vallade Ringdijk 23, Amsterdam, T. 020 6652025
Home style cooking hidden in Amsterdam East; it’s sure worth the trip.

On my wish list...
I have heard nothing but good things about these restaurants:
Zuid-Zeeland, Herengracht 413, Amsterdam, T. 020 6243154 website
Marius, Barentszstraat 243, Amsterdam, T. 020 4227880‎ (website currently offline).
A la Ferme, Govert Flinckstraat 251. Amsterdam T. 20 6798240 website
Halvemaan, Van Leijenberghlaan 320, Amsterdam, T 020 6443206 website

Disappointing
Cafe Graves Gravenstraat 10, Amsterdam, T. 020 6250014 website
Loved the entourage, pleasant service yet the dishes were a bit disappointing (especially related to the price).

In de Keuken Utrechtsestraat 114, Amsterdam, T. 020 6167414 website
With only Chef’s menu on offer, the waiting time was too long for what you received and had to pay for.

Vermeer Prins Hendrikkade 59, Amsterdam, T. 020 5564885 website
For a former Michelin-star restaurant, with still star-prices, I would have expected greater culinary excellence.

Drinks support 3 African entrepreneurs

At our monthly drinks we raise money to support entrepreneurs in third world countries. With the proceeds of the February drinks three African business owners with their company.

Adjowa Adjalo (Togo) is 43 years old, married and mother of three children. She live in Assahoun, a town located 70 kilometers from Kpalimé. She retails “Sodabi”, which is a local beverage made from fermented palm juice. With our loan, she intends to buy large quantities of Sodabi to resell during the rainy season when it is cooler. With her foreseen profits, she wants to make improvements to her house.

Jacob (Kenya) is 45 years old and married. He has six children between 6 and 16 years of age, all of whom attend school. He operates a mixed farm in Western Kenya, near the town of Kitale, where he's been farming for five years. Along with his horticulture activities, Jacob frequently performs carpentry and masonry work in his community for additional income. He says that the main challenge he faces right now is that he is so busy in carpentry work that he has trouble dedicating enough time to his other business operations.

Jacob recently repaid a Kes. 30,000 loan from Juhudi Kilimo and has now requested this loan for Kes. 71,600 to purchase and insure a dairy cow. He will also use part of the loan to purchase farm supplies, such as a donkey cart, and material for a new dairy shed. lHe says that this loan will benefit his family in many ways, especially with the availability of additional mik. He also plans to use the donkey cart in a small scale transport business, charging other farmers to carry their goods to markets. In the future, Jacob wants to open a wholesale shop and would, one day, like to acquire a tractor for plowing services.

Grace Iwo (Nigeria) is 57 years old and married with 5 children. Her husband is self employed and he also supports the home. Her children are excelling in their various jobs and school. Grace sells groceries at retail prices to her customers. Her customers are usually residents and friends. She loves this business because of the one-on-one interaction that she has with her customers. She wants to expand her business in the future. Grace hopes for a loan amount of NGN 170,000 to purchase more groceries to sell. She thanks Kiva lenders for their support.

People Cosmo Polites have supported by providing loans:

1. Adjowa Adjalo (Togo) - February 2010
2. Jacob Tawai (Kenya) - February 2010
3. Grace Iwo (Nigeria) - February 2010
4. Natalya Bondareva (Ukraine) - January 2010
5. Senfuma Joseph (Uganda) - January 2010
6. Kei Uy (Phillipines) - December drinks
7. Uche Ike (Nigeria) - December drinks
8. Maqboolan Maqsood Ahmad Group (Pakistan) - October drinks
9. Azra M.rafiq Group (Pakistan) - October drinks
10. Rukiri 2 Group (Uganda) - Table Invitee dinner
11. Hermenia Soon (Phillipines) - September drinks
12. Letecia Ocular (Phillipines) - September drinks
13. Marguerite Kayitesi (Rwanda) - August drinks
14. Noeun Sorn (Cambodia) - August drinks
15. Deborah Alaho (Nigeria) - July drinks
16. Areli (Peru) - July drinks
17. Yarisa Mojica Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - June drinks
18. Dafina Vasileva (Bulgary) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
19. Hamza Homidov (Tajikistan) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
20. Digna (Peru) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
21. Tomás Medina (Paraguay)- Thanksgiving dinner 2007

Fashionista shops

With my unlimited desire to look styling yet limited budget, I celebrated the arrival of the Amsterdamsche Fashion Outlet* in August 2009. The owner, Lydia Geluk, has given me a list of other styling shops with friendly prices and service.

Amsterdamsche Fashion Outlet*- Latest fashion made affordable As with most of the shops listed here, the shop is run by the owner. Consequently, customers are treated with honest care. And that is exactly why I, Kira, keep returning to the shop. Whenever I enter the shop, Lydia takes out the garments that suit my personal style and body shape. Outside regular opening hours, the store is open by appointment. Amsterdamsche Fashion Outlet, Willemsparkweg 95, Amsterdam, T. 7858020


Zonder Franje - Amsterdam Gezelligheid (coziness)
The other second hand shop that comes recommended is Fraai, which is run by a typically Amsterdam lady. The chatty lady is proud of her shop and keeps it tidy and clean. Most clothes are from respectable international fashion brands. Zonder Franje, Vrijheidslaan 93, Amsterdam.


Daffodil - Vintage Chanel and Dolce
Located in “(G)old South” is the second hand store Daffodil. The owner, a chic lady herself, buys and sells beautiful garments, which are even second-hand not cheap, but surely more affordable than on the PC Hooftstraat! Despite the ‘grand’ labels, service is friendly and unpretentious. The owner is happy to pour you a cup of tea when you need a break from browsing around her boutique. Daffodil, Jacob Obrechtstraat 41, Amsterdam.

Carla - Colourful Elegance
The shop’s full name, Carla female Fashion sounds rather unfashionably. However, all garments have un-Dutch feminine flair, with dashing dresses and elegant evening wear. Also, the shop has an exclusive collection of fashion brands, many of which are also sold on the PC. So, the name does describe the shop well. Outside regular opening hours, the store is open by appointment. Carla, Middenweg 34, Amsterdam, T. 4657020

Dian Fashion - for very stylish women only
Dian Fashion is a long history of providing excellent service to its classy clientele. For over 40 years, the experienced sales ladies help you in a natural and informal way; nothing like the Rodeo drive stuck-up-treatment that Julia received in the film Pretty Woman… The collection boasts great variety of brands and styles. Outside regular opening hours, the store is open by appointment. Dian Fashion, Van Woustraat 43, Amsterdam, T. 6621738 and Prinsengracht 172 Amsterdam, T. 6238645

Best Irish Pubs

I had to call on Irish Mary and British Matt to write this blog post: Amsterdam’s best Irish Pubs. And in the same breath, I can announce that these two will be leading the pub crawl scheduled in spring!

The Tara
Tara is the most Irish Irish pub in Amsterdam. It is also the trendiest (though some pieces of furniture need a ‘new coating’). Tara is huge with multiple rooms. It is excellent for watching rugby; TV screens are strategically located throughout the building.
The Tara, Rokin 89, Amsterdam

Mulligans Irish Music Bar
Mulligans Irish Music Bar is also “very Irish” with traditional music. Many single women have found their future husbands here. Is it because the venue is so small that you are bound to bump into at least twenty men when trying to visit the bathroom? Or is the casual friendly atmosphere? Or the romantic view over the Amstel river? Mulligans Irish Music Bar, Amstel 100, Amsterdam

O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
Good food and breakfast is served till 18h00: Full Irish breakfast: bacon, egg, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomato & toast. Thus visit O’Reilly for (1.) getting over an hang over and (2.) getting a hang over in the first place! The Karaoke on Saturdays comes recommended. O’Reilly’s Irish Pub, Paleisstraat 103 (nearby Dam square), Amsterdam

Molly Malone’s
Molly’s Malones is located in one of the oldest warehouses in the Red Light District, bordering a small canal. At Molly’s you’ll get acquainted with the genuine atmosphere of Ireland. At Molly Malones you'll find a mix of people, young and old, ex-pats, locals and visitors. Fans of Irish sports will be delighted to see that Molly offers full coverage of the Gaelic football and hurling seasons on the many TV screens around the pub. Molly Malone's, Oudezijds Kolk 9, Amsterdam.


Dan Murphy’s
Looking for a small bar with (almost) only Irish people? Then head over to Dan Murphy’s. As you can tell by their website, Dan Murphy’s is a place that you need to experience (and not write about). Dan Murphy’s, Leidseplein 24, Amsterdam

St. James’ Gate
St. James’ Gate was nominated to be on our list of favourite Irish pubs due to the ‘good food’ after the initial chef was replaced by a more talented one. “Even the choosiest of eaters will find something to their liking”. St. James’ Gate, Rembrandtplein 8-10, Amsterdam

Keep an eye on the Cosmo Polite Pub Crawl on our Events Page

Bowling and Burgers

Last night nine CosmoPolites put on still-warm-from-the-previous-lender bowling shoes. At 19h30 the game was on: Team 1 against Team 2. After the first throws, Team 1 was leading the competition...

... after the second throw, team 2 took over the lead and crushed their opponents...

Dr. Evil (Team 1) was particularly deceiving with an opening throw of two 'gutters' and ending with a final score of 145, which included 1 strike, 5 spares.

Due to a computer mistake, Kinky Kira (Team 1) did not end last in the first round. In the second round she did loose. Rocking Roger (Team 1) tried to save his team from total humiliation by throwing two spares and two strikes in a row. Team 1 still suspects the other team of having practised the last month.

Team 1 shall contact Team 2 in March for the Spring Cup!

Team 1 was represented by Tasty Tascha, Rocking Roger, Saucy Susan, Evil Eric and Kinky Kira.

Team 2 consisted of the magnificent four: Dr. Evil, Drake, Mad Matt and Mighty Mary.

Italian Cooking Workshop

Two Saturdays in a row a bunch of chefs-to-be gathered for some chopping and mixing of ingredients. The hard labour ended in a dinner fabuloso!

Besides mastering ancient old kneeding techniques for the perfect pasta dough, people enjoyed Italian wines and making international friends. At the end of each workshop, after dinner, phone numbers were exchanged on the napkins we had placed so carefully on the dining table.

Ideas for more cooking workshops were conceived; sushi-making workshop scored high in popularity, as did Spanish Tapas and Indian food. I, Kira, have heard my calling and shall try to catch an Espanol to teach us his secret kitchen tricks!

February update

The proceeds of the January Expat Drinks were donated to Haiti. Still, with the pay back money of start ups we have helped in 2009, Cosmo Polite was able to support two new start-ups : Natalya's childrens' clothing store and Joseph's motor bike taxi service.


Natalya is single and lives in Berdyansk. Natalya sells children’s clothing in one of the biggest markets of her hometown. She offers trendy merchandise at affordable prices, which has always been main attraction for her customers. Natalya has been in this business for eight years.

Natalya has requested a 15,000 Grivnya loan to increase her turnover capital and purchase additional merchandise at wholesale prices for further retail sale in her kiosk. Natalya can be characterized as a hard-working entrepreneur with a clear vision and integrity. She is talented and knowledgeable in business management. We believe Natalya’s business will benefit from her current loan and will continue growing in the future.


Senfuma Joseph is a hardworking man and a businessman with multiple businesses including a boda boda (motorbike taxi) business. He also buys and sells agricultural produce, he is a builder and has a retail shop at his home which is mostly managed by his wife with the help of his children.

Joseph has four children and he hopes to see all of them attain the best education even through to university so that they can have a better life than the one they are living today. Joseph needs this first loan to be able to expand his business by restocking his retail shop with more goods as well as to buy more agricultural produce and greens for resale.




People Cosmo Polites have supported by providing loans:
Natalya Bondareva (Ukraine) - January 2010
Senfuma Joseph (Uganda) - January 2010
Kei Uy (Phillipines) - December drinks
Uche Ike (Nigeria) - December drinks
Maqboolan Maqsood Ahmad Group (Pakistan) - October drinks
Azra M.rafiq Group (Pakistan) - October drinks
Rukiri 2 Group (Uganda) - Table Invitee dinner
Hermenia Soon (Phillipines) - September drinks
Letecia Ocular (Phillipines) - September drinks
Marguerite Kayitesi (Rwanda) - August drinks
Noeun Sorn (Cambodia) - August drinks
Deborah Alaho (Nigeria) - July drinks
Areli (Peru) - July drinks
Yarisa Mojica Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - June drinks
Dafina Vasileva (Bulgary) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
Hamza Homidov (Tajikistan) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
Digna (Peru) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
Tomás Medina (Paraguay)- Thanksgiving dinner 2007