About two weeks ago I went to a concert on the canals. The beautiful thing about Amsterdam is, that in summer, they sometimes organize free concerts on the canals. You see people bringing their own food and bottles of wine and cuddle up on the sides of the canals, all while enjoying the live music. It's one of the most romantic things to do, and you can make it as expensive as your wallet allows.
That said.... I had never been to one. I've lived here for over twelve years and I'm ashamed to say that, two weeks ago, I experienced my first canal concert. What a delight that was.
My girlfriend suggested we should go to the Spiegelgracht concert. We had a small hangover from the night before, so I was a little reluctant to go, but she convinced me with arguments as "the weather is great" and" it will be fun". So we grabbed the last bottle of wine from the fridge (their were a few more the night before) and we were on our way.
She could not have been more spot-on. The weather was absolutely great, and the atmosphere was one I will never forget. There we were, our legs hung over the edge of the canal and the sun was kissing our faces.
What happened next is a concert I will never forget. They performed Freddy Mercury and Montserrat's "Barcelona" flawless, one woman sang an aria without missing a single note and there was a variety of entertaining songs that made everyone on the canal sing a long. All of the performers were absolutely gifted... and all working in a restaurant around the corner.
That restaurant is called: Pasta e Basta and that is an experience on it's own.
I've lived in that part of Amsterdam for five years, really literally around the corner of the restaurant, and never went there. I was very lucky that my better half decided to take me out to dinner there for my birthday. That decision was based on the fact that I enjoyed the concert so much, that I did not shut up about it for days on end.
As the name suggests, it's an Italian restaurant. You start of with a buffet, where you have unlimited access to and can fill your plate with vitello tonato, ceasar salad, the best buffalo mozzarella and other mouthwatering treats. I only filled my plate once, because I knew that we ordered three different pasta's to share between the two of us. The way they work is that you can run up and down to the buffet as much as you want and then order 3 pasta's of your choice as a main to share. Or at least that's what we had.
We ordered:
As if great food accompanied by great wine is not enough, there is one other signature that makes Pasta e Basta an experience you will never forget. The staff.
Not only are they the most funny and attentive professionals you'll ever find at your table.... they sing.
And not sing as in a karaoke bar.... no, no, no, they are professional singers. I've never seen such talented people. I mean, I've done my fair share working in the restaurant business, but this is multitasking to the max. They chat at your table, serve your food with grace and sing and entertain like their lives depend on it. Basically you get a free concert while you dine. And trust me when I say, I've paid a lot more for concerts that were not half as good as what they bring to the table.
Almost forgot to say that, when you go to dine at Pasta e Basta, you can let the staff know when you have a birthday or anniversary, and they will sing something especially for you or your loved one. Something I discovered when I got my birthday present from them. The song "she" (Elvis Costello), wrapped in the sweet voice of the ever so lovely Martijn. (He's the gift that keeps on giving as he already suggested the MIP).
I would like to thank the entire team of Pasta e Basta ( and my girlfriend) for making my birthday dinner one to remember, you are all truly gifted and not only will we be back at the soonest opportunity we have, I will do some serious name dropping on your behalf.
Till next time,
Milja
That said.... I had never been to one. I've lived here for over twelve years and I'm ashamed to say that, two weeks ago, I experienced my first canal concert. What a delight that was.
My girlfriend suggested we should go to the Spiegelgracht concert. We had a small hangover from the night before, so I was a little reluctant to go, but she convinced me with arguments as "the weather is great" and" it will be fun". So we grabbed the last bottle of wine from the fridge (their were a few more the night before) and we were on our way.
She could not have been more spot-on. The weather was absolutely great, and the atmosphere was one I will never forget. There we were, our legs hung over the edge of the canal and the sun was kissing our faces.
What happened next is a concert I will never forget. They performed Freddy Mercury and Montserrat's "Barcelona" flawless, one woman sang an aria without missing a single note and there was a variety of entertaining songs that made everyone on the canal sing a long. All of the performers were absolutely gifted... and all working in a restaurant around the corner.
That restaurant is called: Pasta e Basta and that is an experience on it's own.
I've lived in that part of Amsterdam for five years, really literally around the corner of the restaurant, and never went there. I was very lucky that my better half decided to take me out to dinner there for my birthday. That decision was based on the fact that I enjoyed the concert so much, that I did not shut up about it for days on end.
As the name suggests, it's an Italian restaurant. You start of with a buffet, where you have unlimited access to and can fill your plate with vitello tonato, ceasar salad, the best buffalo mozzarella and other mouthwatering treats. I only filled my plate once, because I knew that we ordered three different pasta's to share between the two of us. The way they work is that you can run up and down to the buffet as much as you want and then order 3 pasta's of your choice as a main to share. Or at least that's what we had.
We ordered:
- Risotto alla Milanese with saffron, fried green asparagus and crispy pancetta
- Ravioli filled with Tallegio and Ricotta cheese. Served in a brown butter sauce with fried garlic, sage and almonds.
- Orecchiette with peperonata sauce and fried prawns. Served with puntarelle and salami crumble
As if great food accompanied by great wine is not enough, there is one other signature that makes Pasta e Basta an experience you will never forget. The staff.
Not only are they the most funny and attentive professionals you'll ever find at your table.... they sing.
And not sing as in a karaoke bar.... no, no, no, they are professional singers. I've never seen such talented people. I mean, I've done my fair share working in the restaurant business, but this is multitasking to the max. They chat at your table, serve your food with grace and sing and entertain like their lives depend on it. Basically you get a free concert while you dine. And trust me when I say, I've paid a lot more for concerts that were not half as good as what they bring to the table.
Almost forgot to say that, when you go to dine at Pasta e Basta, you can let the staff know when you have a birthday or anniversary, and they will sing something especially for you or your loved one. Something I discovered when I got my birthday present from them. The song "she" (Elvis Costello), wrapped in the sweet voice of the ever so lovely Martijn. (He's the gift that keeps on giving as he already suggested the MIP).
I would like to thank the entire team of Pasta e Basta ( and my girlfriend) for making my birthday dinner one to remember, you are all truly gifted and not only will we be back at the soonest opportunity we have, I will do some serious name dropping on your behalf.
Till next time,
Milja