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Highlights | Nieuw-West
Burgers and shakes with freshness and personality TEXT: STIAN SANGVIG | PHOTOS: THE HAPPY BULL
The Happy Bull is a shakes and burgers restaurant for eat-in and take away. Opened recently, it is based near hotels between Amsterdam South and Amsterdam West. After 18 years in the hospitality industry and desiring to start her own business, owner Karen Farfan opened the restaurant together with her sister-in-law Nikoletta Bàbel. “Realising that few places in the Netherlands offer quality shakes, we decided to do something about it,” Farfan explains. “Nor were we able to find a burger place where we thought: this burger is amazing,” she adds. Thus, they decided to offer quality hamburgers, homemade French fries and salads. Born in Colombia and raised in the Netherlands, Farfan headhunted a childhood friend and Colombian chef with experience from Colombia, the US and Madrid. His international experience is reflected in the menu consisting
of innovative and adventurous burgers and shakes. “We prepare our food daily from fresh and carefully selected ingredients,” Farfan continues. Vegetables are local, and the burgers come from Irish Steak (Hereford cows) and the ice cream from Venice. “Our fries are popular for takeaway, as clients buy them for their homemade meals,” Farfan says. Attention to detail is also reflected in the presentation of the food as well as freshness and flavours. The Happy Bull has had a flying start with growing numbers of local and foreign customers. “Some regulars eat here three times a week,” Farfan says. A future restaurant may be considered, but franchising is not an option. “Expansion is a possibility, but not at the cost of quality or the family feel,” Farfan concludes. More information can be found on www.thehappybull.nl
The Atelier that never sleeps TEXT: CHARLOTTE VAN HEK | PHOTOS: ATELIER
From an old carwash to a colourful hub made for great dining, drinking, and dancing; Atelier is Amsterdam’s newest culinary favourite for those not wanting a quiet night. With a bar, a restaurant and a party location, Atelier has been home to foodies and partygoers from Amsterdam and beyond since its opening in January this year. Located on the border of Amsterdam West and South, in the creative centre the Schinkel, Atelier reminds us of an old garage, in the best way possible. “Atelier proves that great food and great music go 50 | Issue 35 | November 2016
perfectly well together,” says co-owner Chris Bauduin. “A DJ during dinner, dinner during a DJ set, dancing while drinking, talking while eating: everything goes.” Atelier’s seasonal menu is as diverse as its public: from pumpkin ravioli to smoked salmon, and from tuna tataki to rib-eye. The hallmarks of French-European dining slightly shine through, with enough variation coming from Asian delicacies and authentic Dutch snacks. The dining (and dancing) takes place in an industrial yet colourful setting with an unmissable creative vibe. “Atelier is always on. It never stops changing,” Bauduin enthuses. “We are
planning on changing our interior and art, and thus our look, every so often.” Due to its open surroundings and unique creative location, Atelier is a popular spot for events, from large corporate meetings, to Friday afternoon drinks and music festivals. “Our large, free parking area and the fact that playing loud music is less of a problem because of the lack of direct neighbours, makes Atelier a very wanted venue for events of all sorts,” Bauduin asserts. “But whatever your occasion – Atelier is always happening!” www.atelier-schinkel.nl