[Idyllchat] Leiden

[GRAYGOOSE at aol.com]

When are you going? We did the Leiden Untour last year in June and, though  
"tulip time" was over we found much to enjoy. The weather at that time was 
mixed  with some rainy days and other sunny bright days. The rain never stopped 
us. We  took in museums (of which there are so many in Holland) on those  days 
using our train/bus passes. On the brighter days we enjoyed walking the  
various towns and visiting such places as Madurodam, an interesting open  air museum 
designed as a miniature Holland.
 
On one of the less perfect days we took the train to Amsterdam where we  
switched to a bus to Vollendam and then a ferry to Marken. Both of the villages  
are most interesting to visit.
 
We also spent a couple of days in Brugges, Belgium and I think this was one  
of the hilights of our Untour time even though we booked the visit  ourselves.
 
For an outstanding special meal in a somewhat pricey but wonderful  
restaurant try "het Prentenkabinet" at Kloksteeg 25. I am copying the notes from  my 
journal so that you might see how we came to dine here. It's a somewhat  
interesting tale.
 
Paul is the ex pat American who occupies the small brick home behind the  
apartment house.
 
" Paul recommended the restaurant at the base of the Burcht which we  
recalled seeing on a previous walk. Thus we set out and settled into one of the  
tables on the terrace and waited for someone to wait on us. Soon a woman  appeared 
and informed us that the entire restaurant was reserved for a private  party. 
Seems that the annual Leiden Marathon had taken place that day  and the town 
was full of celebrating runners and all the places to eat that we  were aware 
of were filled to capacity by the revelers.
 
So, we started our search again and went up the stairs next to the terrace  
to what we thought might be a restaurant. It was only a bar. But we were being  
watched by a Dutchman who was enjoying a beer on the bar terrace. He seemed 
to  realize what our problem was and asked what we might be looking for. When 
we  told him we hoped to find a meal somewhere he began to tell us where we 
could  find a nice, though rather expensive, place to eat. He had eaten there 
several  times and said his mother and her friend had eaten there just yesterday. 
He  tried to tell us how to get there but finally insisted that he take us 
there. He  took his beer into the bar and told the barmaid that he would be back 
to finish  it. Somehow, we got the impression that he was a frequent patron 
of the  place. Anyway, he led us through throngs of people, under yellow ropes 
cordoning  off areas, with an explanation to the police, down a side street, 
past St.  Peter’s church, telling us of his family history, which was 
illustrious, and  came to a stop on Kloksteeg at a door where he rang a bell. It was 
answered by a  gentleman in a tuxedo who, after a short conversation with our 
friend, admitted  us. We asked our “fairy Godfather” to join us for wine but he 
refused and left  to go back to his beer.
 
The small sign over the door read “het Prentenkabinet”. One look about and  
we realized that really was an “upscale” place.  
 
We were led to the terrace where we were informed that the kitchen wouldn't  
be open for another hour but we were welcomed anyway. We didn't mind the  wait 
as it was a lovely day and we sat back to enjoy a half liter of good white  
wine and to relax after what seemed a whole day of wandering.
 
For dinner Joe ordered Gazpacho and salmon and I ordered just the lamb.  Both 
meals were cooked exactly as they should be. The manner of serving was  
delightful. Two waiters came out, each carrying a large silver domed  platter.  
They were set down before us and on a signal both domes were  lifted at the same 
second to reveal our meals. Such elegance! The meal was  costly but worth 
every  Euro."
 
This is just a sampling of how nice the Dutch are.
 
Enjoy your trip whenever it may be. 
 
Nina Snyder
 






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