At the corner of Westerstraat and Marnixstraat sits Albatross – a small seafood restaurant.

I was staying in Amsterdam solo for about five days before my sister and best friend Lili flew out to visit. We had an apartment with a full kitchen, so after eating breakfast and lunches at small cafes we usually would take in the experience of shopping the local Albert Heijn market and cook a nice meal at home. Not only is it fun to shop where the locals do, but cooking at home also saves a substantial amount of Euro dough. Not to mention after traversing the city with a 16 month old all day you’re ready to just mellow out by 7pm.

I wanted one grand indulgence during our stay, so I scouted out some places I passed by on Brouwersgracht. However it was a Saturday evening and many reservations were already filled up. Instead we ambled around the corner to Albatross Seafoodhouse – which I had my eye on since my first day’s arrival.  Albatross is a small place with a warm atmosphere.   Although the nautical accoutrements are a bit well,  overboard  (sorry – big groan) the place conveys a quiet vibe for romantic dining, or in our case dining with siblings and niece.  A big large aquarium greets you as you walk in – giving some great eye candy while you wait for a table.

We sat in the front atrium, the first table from the door in case Lili needed a little breathing room. She however slept through most of our meal, yet occasionally giving us a look of jealousy due to our food being slightly above par from the carrots and applesauce she had dined up before we walked over.

We started with an order of Dutch oysters served with warm bread, and we order two dishes for the two of us:  prawns with coconut curry sauce and the seabass with ginger and sesame.  The owner of the establishment visited our table a few times through the night – and of course we received many smiles due to the cutest (albeit sleep,) member of the table. Our appetizers were served with a tart anchovy dip. Customers like this dip so much that they print the recipe on small cards. It’s on my fridge and I have it a few times since.

We also chatted with a very nice gentleman from New Orleans, who was tooling around Amsterdam after finalizing his divorce. I supposed if you get divorced in Des Moines you travel to New Orleans for fun and frivolity, however if New Orleans is your home the only other real option is Amsterdam. He was kind enough to send a few glasses of wine our way – and of course we wished him the best, and a safe journey.

Albatross Seafoodhouse is at 1015 Westerstraat – in the Jordaan neighborhood of Amsterdam.

http://www.restaurantalbatros.nl/