Ho-Ho-Ho, the chubby santa at the door did not say. It however had a welcoming smile and gifts it was too stubborn to let go.
A friend from Ukraine told me she had started working at this little cafe in Amsterdam a street away from the red light district - for the lack of a better landmark. Since it was my day off, I decided it would be nice to have a reunion over some Italian food.
It is a cozy little cafe just a few minutes away from the Centraal Amsterdam train station. I expected a bigger crowd but the mix of rain, FIFA world cup, and it being a weekday must have kept the people away.
At the entrace, the Santa stands on a old-style wooden barrel with menus that are conviniently both in English and Dutch, along with cutlery.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interior. The tables were covered with the classic red and white checkered tablecloth with a red candle holder. The walls had the vintage, more like dirty, yellow color that white walls get coated with over time. The tall ceiling was lined with large wooden bamboo and I had to think for a while if it was a decoration or were they genuine support beams. The latter is highly probable since these buildings are very old and aged.
The ceiling ornaments were designed with grape vines and yellow lights. On the only other wall of the restaurant was a huge collection of wine bottles. Not all, but some of these are brought in from Italy and there was a lot more information given to me which I did not pay attention to. Oops? Funnily, a world cup match was being broadcasted but I realized I didn't give a ratatouille's hind about it - a surprising epiphany.
While I waited for the food, the remaining patrons had left already. I got to chat more openly with my friend. From working at an IT firm to waitering, maitre d'-ing, barwomaning, but it is something light and temporary just to stay afloat till she is strong enough to start venturing into her own field. It is great in Amsterdam though, the pay is not so bad and everyone speaks English so she could get this work pretty easily. While we spoke I watched the chef prepare the food in the "open kitchen".
To start, the garlic bread. Pizza hut has ruined my entire expectations of poorly, yet premade, hard and mediocre garlic bread. The fluffy and freshly baked bread came along with a well balance garlic butter and I enjoyed every second of laying it down on the bread piece by piece.
The main meal was Pollo Aglio - Grilled Chicken Fillet served with Garlic butter and Salad. We are on a garlic butter streak, I see. Juicy piece of thoroughly cooked pollo drenched in garlicy buttery gravy and a side of humbling salad.
Of course, the margharita. Is there a single place with pizzas that I have gone to and not tried the margharita? No. It is like a baseline to judge their pizzas. Here, there was a lot left to be desired. The reunion and friendly conversations made up for all that would be lost to this pizza.
Until next time, Christmas-decorations-Cafe Italia. May you always bring people together for tasty reunions and be an excuse to bring joy!
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