Talk about bad timing: the same month that we learned that our apartment had sold and we had to find somewhere new to live, a funky new bar opened up in our ‘hood.
After seeing the interior get ripped apart and put back together again from the shell of the old Kaliber, it was like watching the birth of something new. Except, instead of a cute baby, we were presented with shiny industrial-style light fittings and wine bottles. Dikke Graaf was born.
On our nightly walks with the Basset, we would peer through the steamy windows and see groups of people hanging out, drinking and laughing, seemingly loving the new bar-cum-cafe. One sunny early evening before we moved, we decided that we should become one of these cool people too.
The wine list at Dikke Graaf is very impressive, the two owners priding themselves on sourcing some bottles that can’t be sampled anywhere else in Holland. This included a crisp and light white Merlot (who’ve thunk it?) and a rose that slipped down way too easily. I particularly enjoyed their own creation of gin and Limonata – as someone who isn’t a gin drinker (there’s only so many times you can sit weeping to yourself in a corner before you realise that gin just isn’t the drink for you), I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was definitely a far cry from the tart Schweppes and Gordon’s concoctions my Mum enjoyed in the 80s.
There is a small food menu, devised to complement the drinks on offer. We sampled some sauteed garlic king prawns and asparagus drizzled with balsamic vinegar and parmesan. All of the food was fresh and delicious; I even enjoyed the crusty bread that came with it and found it a useful tool for mopping up the cheesy balsamic leftovers on the hot plate.
You can tell that a lot of love has gone into the design and creation of Dikke Graaf’s menu and interior and, as when we went, I’m sure one of the brothers who runs it would be happy to chat with you about why they do what they do and what monthly specialities they’d recommend. I only regret that, having moved neighbourhoods, I now have to cycle eight minutes to get to the place, as opposed to one. Oh, the humanity.
- Wilhelminastraat 153
- Open Tues – Sun from 3pm
- www.dikkegraaf.nl
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time! Amsterdam is so on my bucket list. Looking forward to hearing more of your travels!
I guess Amsterdam is a lot like Portland (or so I imagine) – full of creative types and definitely quirky. It should be on everyone’s “must see” list IMHO.
White merlot?? I’ve never heard of that. It looks like a terrific place. I love that wine bottle rack!
Me too! Might have to try and install one in my place – although that would probably mean drinking them all first haha