A little piece of Spain in Amsterdam TEXT: MICHIEL STOL | PHOTOS: VIDA CERVECERIA TAPERIA
Spanish living in the centre of Amsterdam: that is what you will experience when you dine at Vida Cerveceria Taperia. Borne out of a love for Spain, Edwin Spitsbaard and his wife created the restaurants to share their love of Spanish cuisine and living with others. “It is our absolute favourite.” Located in the Valeriusstraat in the beautiful district of Oud-Zuid, Vida lives up to its name. “We want you to enjoy the good life. This neighbourhood really breathes that good life, with its authentic Amsterdam houses and its location right around the corner from the Vondelpark and just a few blocks away from the museum district. There is no better place in the city,” tells Spitsbaard. Housed in a 13th century building, Vida blends in perfectly. “We were really lucky with this building. A friend got wind that it was on the market and told us, so we bought it right away.” With interior designers, Edwin travelled to Spain to get inspiration for the restaurant. “We wanted the restaurant to feel warm and to show true Spanish living, radiating the warmth of the beautiful south of Europe.” Vida has an authentic style. The 48 | Issue 32 | August 2016
light fixtures for instance, are made from Licor 43 bottles and the ceiling is covered with Spanish newspapers. “We found out that one particular newspaper showed nude models on the back page every day. We did not use that paper.” Vida also has its own beer: Nules. “With Jopen Brewery from Haarlem, we have created our own special beer. It is based on an IPA, to which we added Spanish tangerine and coriander seeds. It has become a real one-of-a-kind Spanish cerveza.” Vida in Amsterdam is the second of three Vida restaurants that are in the Netherlands. The other ones are in Hilversum and Naarden-Vesting. “Vida is not an all-you-can-eat restaurant chain. Vida is an à la carte restaurant, with all kind of different tapas, including a lot of vegetarian ones,” explains Spitsbaard. “Every dish is made with fresh ingredients of the highest quality. Our chefs prepare the tapas on the spot and put in all the effort they deserve. They are true craftsmen.” “With high-quality food and service, set in a warm and vibrant style, we want you to feel as if you were living the Spanish life for an
evening,” says Spitsbaard. “Enjoying good, handcrafted tapas, Spanish beer or wine. Becoming a little bit Mediterranean in Amsterdam and just enjoying the good life.” www.vida.nl