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a foundation that protects the interests of local business owners, says: ‘We want to clean up the image of these squares – literally and figuratively.’ According to Weidema, plans include getting rid of much of the signage so that the historic buildings, and not the neon, will once again command attention, plus improved paving and more room for café patios. Restaurant Van Rijn (Rembrandtplein 17 ), which offers poshed-up Dutch dishes in a sleek space, is an early success.
YNSKE LEENDERS, 22 interior design student
‘It’s a wonderful street, with so many good shops and restaurants. It’s a very unique area of Amsterdam.’
FINE FOOD & DUTCH CULTURE A century ago, the neighbourhood boasted various grocers, butchers and wine traders, a tea shop and a fishmonger famous for its basins of live fish. Today, some of the city’s finest food shops can still be found in the area, including wine shop Glandorf & Thijs (Kerkstraat 365 ), artisan butcher Slagerij de Leeuw (Utrechtsestraat 92 ) and stylish chocolatier Van Soest (Utrechtsestraat 143 ). Restaurants of note in the area include Utrechtsedwarstafel (Utrechtsedwarsstraat 107-109 ) with its ‘ballet of wine and food’; posh Italian Segugio (Utrechtsestraat 96 ); Med-led Fyra (Noorderstraat 19-23 ) and French specialist Antoine (Kerkstraat 377 ). After a taste of Dutch culture instead? Within walking distance of the area you can attend musicals, cabaret performances and intimate pop concerts at Royal Theatre Carré (Amstel 115-125 ), see ballet and opera performances at Het Muziektheater (Waterlooplein 22 ) and catch the latest cabaret performances at De Kleine Komedie (Amstel 56-58 ). The Hermitage Amsterdam (Amstel 51 ), the Dutch satellite of the iconic St Petersburg institution, is equally nearby.
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MAARTEN BEUCKER ANDREAE, 40 entrepreneur of the year 2009 for his internet company TTY
‘We moved our company here a few years ago and we find that it’s one of the best areas to work. The spirit is very friendly, genuine and alive with all the people sitting in the bars and at the terraces.’
THE CITY STREET SPA
JUTTERSDOK
British expat Chantal Naughton’s powder blue boutique spa is a favourite with the city’s Canal Belt clique, but the aestheticians at this urban retreat make everyone feel welcome. The OPI Pedicure (€53, 60min) soothes tired shopping feet, the aromatherapy massage (€80, 60min) rubs seasonal stresses away and the ‘non-surgical facelift’ (€95, 60min) imparts that pre-party glow.
What could be more in the spirit of the holidays than helping to create work for the needy by shopping at this charming charity shop? Juttersdok offers a colourful selection of ceramics, antiques, lamps, postcards, film posters, dog-eared books and the odd vintage find along with plenty of jolly jumble-sale junk. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, sifting through the clutter.
Prinsengracht 764 http://thecitystreetspa.com
Kerkstraat 354 www.juttersdok.nl