Welcome to VLM Magazine

% POP GROWTH: 0.5 %

CITY AREA: 219 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 4,452 INH/KM2

GDP PER CAPITA: €23,900

DIALLING CODE: +31

BIHP ART FOOD DRINKS

KEIZERGRACHT 335

TEL. 020 622 4511

Situated in the 9-straatjes (nine streets) area of the Jordaan, this charming restaurant has paintings on its walls plus a great lunch and dinner menu. The artists who pop in make it ideal for people watching – the peeking is best done sipping a glass of the wonderful house wine.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT

ST JAMES GATE

REMBRANDTPLEIN 8-10

TEL. 020 422 6886

Catering for international customers, this classic grand café is conveniently located near the city centre. The restaurant has a diverse and tasty menu, and the discreet staff allows for serious conversations over meals. The terrace is a popular place to soak up the spring sunshine.

CLOSING THE DEAL

L’OLIVIER

WESTERSTRAAT 40

TEL. 020 625 2756

Influenced by French cuisine, but enhanced with a subtle international twist, Japanese owner and head chef Akiko and his Malaysian partner hit the right heights of cosmopolitanism while still maintaining a laid back Amsterdam feel. The lobster bisque is delicious!

HARRY’S AMERICAN BAR

SPUISTRAAT 285

TEL. 062 155 8300

Tucked just off the Spuiplein in the centre of the English literary district, Harry’s is a New York-style cocktail bar with its own distinct twist of Amsterdam. The cocktails are creative, the staff superb and the front table is a great place for anyone wanting to see and be seen.

RELAX

CAFÉ ROULEAU

AMSTELVEENSWEG 126

TEL. 020 671 9509

A firm favourite with locals, this chilled out Art Deco hangout is situated just behind the Vondelpark. Its menu combines tasty Dutch dishes with a modern international flourish. Weekends are busy, so reservations may be needed, though waiting for your table on the terrace on a sunny afternoon is a real treat.

MUSIC

MALOE MELO

LIJNBAANSGRACHT 163

TEL. 020 420 4592

Maloe Melo is the retro metro centre for those looking for a little less house and a little more old school in their music. At this throwback to live rock, blues, punk and rockabilly, it’s old, it’s dirty, and it’s raw…that’s what happens when you love music!

QBIC WTC AMSTERDAM

STAWINSKYLAAN 241

TEL. 043 321 1111

This is budget with the businessperson in mind. Located in Amsterdam’s financial district at the World Trade Center, each Cubi includes a bed, bathroom, safe and high-speed internet, all from €39 (£29). You can even pick your room’s colour – choose from yellow, red or purple.

BUSINESS

MÖVENPICK HOTEL AMSTERDAM

PIET HEINKADE 11

TEL. 020 519 1200

Avoid the stress of the city centre by taking advantage of this fantastic location in the eastern docklands, while still being close to Centraal Station and the Passenger Terminal Building. With fashionable rooms and public areas, this stylish hotel caters primarily for the international business traveller.

BESPOKE

BILDERBERG GARDEN HOTEL

DIJSSELHOFPLANTSOEN 7

TEL. 020 570 5600

This chic boutique hotel is within walking distance of the city’s top museums, trendy shopping district and fashionable terraces. The intimate ambiance of the Bilderberg, with its tastefully decorated, spacious rooms and luxurious accessories ensure a wonderful stay. The hotel restaurant, De Kersentuin, is one of the finest French dining experiences to be had in the city.

Although the Albert Cuyp is the largest street market in Amsterdam, the Nieuwmarkt hosts a popular daily market (www.amsterdam.info/ markets). Alongside flea market bargains, you’ll find the work of international artists and artisans, such as the funky hats of milliner Jelko Latkovic and the passionate paintings of Herzegovinian artist Mladen Jurkovic.

A fascinating exhibition at the Nieuwe Kerk until 20 April displays an alternative view of Afghanistan (www.nieuwekerk.nl) . Called Hidden Afghanistan, 250 magnificent archaeological objects will be on show, most of which were ‘rediscovered’ in 2004 in the vaults of the Central Bank in Kabul.

Bar Bik

3 Pierres de Taille/Arduinkaai

Tel. 02 219 75 00

A simple spot to meet in a hip area. Order from the board: fresh fish, a classic steak or pasta. You won’t find too many frills here, but the food is simple, modern and comes at a pocket-friendly price.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT

Nostra Culinair Huis

1 Van Ingelgomstraat

Tel. 02 751 34 84

A short taxi ride from the airport and the east-side office complexes, this restored farm is ideal for business. The young staff serve up gourmet French cuisine with the precision of a three-star restaurant so you’re guaranteed an excellent first impression.

CLOSING THE DEAL

Nonbe Daigaku

31 Avenue Adolphe Buyl

/Adolphe Buyllaan

Tel. 02 649 21 49

In a town that has many fine (and authentic) Japanese restaurants, one wouldn’t think there would be room for improvement. There is. Gourmet fans and sushi connoisseurs are flocking to try Mr Suetsugu’s fresh, graceful and delightful Japanese cuisine.

Café Métropole

31 Place de Brouckère

/De Brouckèreplein

Tel. 02 217 23 00

Even as the leaves start to turn, the Café Métropole (outside the stunning Hotel Métropole) welcomes guests for a drink on its year-round heated terrace. With its downtown-street-side buzz and white linen, don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel ‘Parisian’.

RELAX

Caravan

2 rue Anneessens/Anneessensstraat

Tel. 02 512 88 20

You might mistake Caravan for someone’s home. Bright and sunny, with well-used wooden furniture, it is rustic to say the least. But that’s the idea. After a freshly squeezed juice and a chat with the owner Sylvia, you’ll be ready to face bustling Brussels again.

MUSIC

Sounds Jazz Club

28 Rue de la Tulipe/Tulpstraat

Tel. 02 512 92 50

Sounds Jazz Club has been putting Brussels on the music map since 1986. Some of the best have stopped here, but owners Rosy Merlini and Sergio Duvalloni really have an eye for new talent. Lovely Italian food and a snazzy cocktail list are an added bonus.

Hotel Queen Anne

110 Boulevard Emile Jacqmain

/Emile Jacqmainlaan

Tel. 02 217 16 00

A steal if you like a downtown location and modern design. Its 60 rooms are compact and clean and the service is super-friendly, mostly due to its hostel-like atmosphere. Online booking from €25 (£17) to €73 (£49).

BUSINESS

Crowne Plaza Brussels

3 Rue Gineste/Ginestestraat

Tel. 02 203 6200

A different kind of business hotel, this 354-room beauty is the essence of modern art deco. Numerous original elements were preserved in the 2006 renovation; rooms are tasteful and boast period furniture. Check out the style of the Deco Verre bar-cum-lounge.

BESPOKE

Conrad Brussels

71 Avenue Louise/Louizalaan

Tel. 02 542 42 42

When you want an impressive address, look no further. Grand style with old-world service, the hotel’s impeccable rooms are the largest in town. Premium suites give you even more room to entertain in style. Guests can also enjoy access to one of Brussels’ finest health clubs.

Summer is over and that means it’s time for the opera season to begin. This season promises to mesmerise with Phaedra scheduled for September and a new production of Mozart’s Mitridate, Re Di Ponto for October/November. The classic theatre itself is worth the trip. Definitely book well in advance. (www.demunt.be).

With Brussels being the capital of a bi-lingual (actually tri-lingual: German is also an official language) country, you tend to get everything twice. This is good news for theatre lovers. Both the Theatre National (www.theatrenational.be) and the Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg or KVS (www.kvs.be) have put together exciting multicultural seasons.

The International Centre for Urbanism, Architecture and Landscape (www.civa.be) is hosting a travelling retrospective about the Finnish architect Eero Saarinen. Following Helsinki and Brussels, the exhibition will travel to the United States and Oslo as well.

Country Code: +32

Funky Soul Potato

76 Volksstraat

Tel. 03 257 07 44

Restaurants come and go on the

trendy south side, but this little gem

has stood the test of time. Maybe

because of its simplicity? A baked

potato with your choice of topping,

a drink and that’s that. Good homely

cooking with a lively atmosphere.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT

De Kaai

Hangar 26

Tel. 03 233 25 07

A popular lunch stop on the north

side with spectacular views of the

Scheldt. The diverse menu with fresh

fish, generous steaks and fresh-fromthe-market salads is sure to please

the toughest client. If it’s sunny, book

ahead for a table on the river terrace.

CLOSING THE DEAL

Dôme

2 Grote Hondstraat

Tel. 03 239 90 03

When you need to pull out all the stops,

there’s only one place in town. French

chef Julien Burlat’s refined cuisine

follows the seasons, and even with only seven starters and seven mains it’s

hard to opt for one over another. The €30 (£20) weekday lunch is a steal.

Velvet Lounge

6 Luikstraat

Tel. 03 237 39 78

In a town where hip and trendy is

practically a requirement, this lounge

bar is a step above the rest. Sink into its hyper-modern couches, order one

of the ab fab cocktails and let the

signature lounge music hypnotise you.

Before you leave, buy a Velvet Lounge

CD to enjoy the vibe at home.

RELAX

Patine

1 Leopold De Waelstraat

Tel. 03 257 09 19

This bohemian wine bar-cum-tea room

is a haven of quiet right across from

the Fine Arts Museum. Wonderfully

light lunches, tasty cakes and early

afternoon wine and olives all mix well

together here. Try the lovely pavement

café if the sun’s out.

MUSIC

Buster

1 Kaasrui

Tel. 03 232 51 53

Right off the Grote Markt, this nonprofit‘ open podium’ hops practically

every Tuesday through Saturday.

Everything from jazz to stand-up

comedy to alternative rock. Practically

all the shows are free, so it’s rather

informal. Doors open around 8pm and

shows tend to start at 9pm.

Marnix Bed & Breakfast

16 Welvaartstraat

Tel. 03 238 79 91

An authentic home-away-from-home

located in a grand old townhouse on

the south side, Marnix offers eclectic

rooms, each with their own unique

style. Singles from €50 (£33).

BUSINESS

Crowne Plaza Hotel Antwerp

10 Gerard le Grellelaan

Tel. 03 259 75 00

Recently refitted, this popular hotel

right off the outer ring features brilliant

new superior rooms with flat-screen

TVs and in-room workstations. With

ample onsite parking, new conference

facilities and still the best pool in town,

your stay is sure to be a happy one.

BESPOKE

Charles Rogier XI

11 Karel Rogierstraat

Tel. 0475 29 99 89

This private guesthouse is pure

paradise – not a detail is left out. Opt

for one of three gorgeously decorated rooms: Lady Bertinelli, Charles or

Vendôme. Your hostess Katrin shares

all her dining and shopping secrets to

ensure that your visit is simply perfect.

Don’t miss the generous breakfast

served in ‘Le Petit Salon’.

to the Middelheim Open Air Museum

(www.middelheimmuseum.be). While

you are there, check out the bizarre

inflatable sculptures from American

artist Paul McCarthy. His exhibition

of works, Air Born – Air Borne – Air

Pressure, runs until the end of October.

A Story of the Image celebrates MuHKA

(www.muhka.be) or the Museum of

Contemporary Art’s 20th anniversary.

Part of a two-part exhibition and

book, it is the first time that the entire

collection will be examined. After

Antwerp, this exhibition will head off to

a new temporary home in Singapore.

Rather small in size, Antwerp is best

discovered on foot. To enhance your

stroll around town, stop in at the tourist

office (www.antwerpen.be) and pick

up a walking tour booklet suited to your

tastes. The various themed walks take

you everywhere from the historical

old neighbourhoods to the trendy

new docklands and cover practically

everything from Rubens to fashion. Pick

what you fancy and start strolling!

Serious chocolate fans wanting a

truly authentic cocoa bean fix should

head to Del Rey (www.delrey.be), the

preferred chocolate and cake address

for most diamond dealers in town.

Order a light lunch, leaving plenty of

room to top it off with your selected

cake – or pick some chocolates to take

home and share.

Antwerp is extremely proud of its

home brewery: De Koninck. Drafts of

its amber nectar, known and loved by

the locals as a ‘bolleke’, are served in

a classy stem glass complete with the

brewery logo – and enjoyed in pubs all

over town. www.dekoninck.com

Country Code: +32