Almere Proeft 2012

Almere Proeft 2012 took place yesterday at Boat House Restaurant in Almere. We enjoyed a splendid afternoon there, listening to Jazz and Swing music, tasting delicious olive oil, wines, cheeses, chocolates, having new experiences and doing some shopping too. In the end, we took a pleasant walk around the restaurant and I was even followed by a swan. Take a look at the photos.

The Place

Boat House Restaurant, Almere

From Almere Proef 2012

This restaurant is located in the recreation area of Noorderplassen, west of Almere Stad. I've already written about it, remember?

Tasting and shopping

We bought some delicacies at Italie in Huis, such as a bottle of olive oil (Olio Flaminio of Torre Atigge/ D.O.P. Umbria) and a cheese (Formaggio Pecorino). Absolutely delicious!
The webshop site is not available yet, but only in two weeks or so.

From Almere Proef 2012

We also tasted very good wines at ViniFins and we intend to visit their shop in Almere Haven to buy some of them, like the Nonnengarten, the Nero d'Avola and the T'Air d' Oc Syrah.

From Almere Proef 2012

At Kaasmakerij we enjoyed delicious cheeses and smoked sausages! We bought some of them and a Fromage de Langres.

From Almere Proef 2012

I had my first experience in candy making with liquid nitrogen at the Boat House Restaurant stand and I enjoyed the moment very much!

From Almere Proef 2012

Ready for Easter? ;-) At Chocolaterie Brouwer, we bought slagroom truffels and marzipan.

From Almere Proef 2012

A glimpse of the atmosphere...

From Almere Proef 2012

We also found out about Cuisine Culinaire Almere, a group of cuisine lovers. Their aim is to practise the art of cooking in a casual and cozy atmosphere. We had a very nice talk with one of the chefs who had already been in Portugal. He told us about restaurants there that we don't know yet. As soon as I get my feet in Portugal, I will check the tips he gave us. We loved to talk with him! A very nice and interesting person!

Yes, we had a wonderful time at Almere Proeft 2012!

A glass of good wine, good company and very good Jazz music...Just like Heaven!

Nick Bloemendaal & Friends (Jazz and Swing)

From Almere Proef 2012

The Lady is a Tramp by Nick Bloemendaal

My A-Z of The Netherlands: A is for Almere

(about My A-Z challenge)

A is for Almere, of course. The city I chose to live in The Netherlands, I was still in Portugal.

Almere is the youngest city of The Netherlands. Situated in Flevoland, the most recent province of the country, its first house was finished in 1976. Named after the early medieval name of the Zuiderzee, this garden-city is now the 7th largest municipality in The Netherlands with 191,495 citizens (9 May 2011). Almere offers contemporary architecture, several parks, woods and lakes, an exciting cultural environment and a relaxing and balanced life. Annemarie Jorristma-Lebbink, a former minister, has been the mayor of the city since 16 August 2003. Her party (VVD) is the same one of the current prime-minister, Mark Rutte.

Almere is Contemporary Architecture...

Almere Centrum (where we lived in the first two years)

From Almere (III)

Tussen de Vaarten (our current neighbourhood)

Two Face, by the Dutch NIO Architecten.

From A-Z

The New City Center

The Citadel (2006)

A shopping complex by the French architect Christian de Portzamparc.
A complex of 100 to 100 metres which is divided into four quadrants by two intersecting streets (for pedestrians). Above the car parks there are 50 shops. On top of the shops there are 46 colourful houses, and an apartment complex including 6 apartments and a parking lot for its residents. The terrace of La Place restaurant (on the top floor of warehouse V&D) provides a unique view of the Citadel.

From Almere (III)

From Almere (III)

The Lakeside Tower (2007)

A building in front of the Weerwater Lake, of the architect Bjarne Mastenbroek (SeARCH, Amsterdam).

From Almere (III)

The Smaragd (2007)

 Apartments and a store (Hema) designed by Gigon and Guyer.

From Almere (III)

The Skyline of Almere

 The Wave (2005) by the Dutch architect René van Zuuk.
 A dramatic wave-like facade, covered with silver anodized aluminum plate.

From A-Z

From A-Z

From A-Z

Side by Side (2007)

Two residential towers by the Dutch architect Frits van Dongen.
The towers facades were made of light blue coloured industrial glass. In the base of the towers, there's a winter garden, sauna and gym, especially for the residents. Moreover, there's a private swimming pool (you can see it from the outside), overlooking the lake Weerwater.

From A-Z

Silverline (2001)

An apartment tower designed by the Dutch Claus and Kaan Architects.
The top of this apartment tower surprisingly leans over lake Weerwater. However, the reason for this is simple: because most people like to live at the top or bottom of a tower, the top and foot of 'Silverline' is maximized, while the least interesting middle section is minimized.

From A-Z

Urban Entertainment Center designed by the British architect William Alsop.

Apollo Hotel (2008)

A block of approximately 4,000 m2, which includes the hotel rooms, floats eight metres above street level. It has a beautiful facade of cedar. This section is supported by columns. The entrance to the hotel is a blob with a brass cladding.

From A-Z

Muzinq / Discotheque NOX

A pop centre with three halls, one accommodating 1200 persons.

From A-Z

Almere Buiten

The Eilandenbuurt houses.
They remind us the Dutch Antilles and the maritime history of The Netherlands.

From A-Z

Almere is Cultural Life...

Almere's library (2010)

A building by the Dutch architects Meijer en Van Schooten.
De Nieuwe Bibliotheek was considered the Best Library of The Netherlands in 2010.

From Almere (III)

Theater and Arts Center (2006)

A building by the Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA) that was officially opened by Queen Beatrix in 2007. Simplicity, transparency and light is what this building is about. From a single storey surface of 100 to100 metres, three halls (1050, 350 and 150 seats respectively)  extend into the lake Weerwater. The building users are the theater and the arts center, De Kunstlinie, that offers workshops of music, visual arts, theater, literature, dance and multimedia.

From A-Z

The Pasion Buena Vista Show, May, 2009 in Almere's Theater.

From A-Z

Almere's Selexyz Bookstore.
Bookstore of the year 2008-2009.

From A-Z

Almere is Fun...

A lounge in the city center to enjoy the sun.

From Almere (III)

Enjoying Queen's Day in the several terraces of the city center.

From Koninginnedag 2011

Selling old stuff in the streets on Queen's Day. Everybody can do it and it is a fun and nice way to get rid of the stuff we don't need anymore.

From Koninginnedag 2011

The restaurant Boat House in Noorderplassen.
I like to go there specially to watch the sunset.

From A-Z

Stoomboot Rondvaart
A very nice trip in a luxury steamboat.

From Stoomboot Rondvaart Almere Haven 2011

Almere Strand (beach)...

From A-Z

Skating in the Weerwater lake nearby the Theater.

From A-Z

An old passion...boats!! Muiderzand Marina in Almere :-)

From A-Z

Almere happens...

Midland Classic Show

A fantastic exhibition of old cars...

From A-Z

Smaak Parade

A delicious event. We can taste cheeses, wines, and many delicacies.

From A-Z

From A-Z

Almere Haven Festival

In the oldest part of the city, a brocante en antiek markt.

From A-Z

From A-Z

Historisch Festival Almere

Also in Almere Haven nearby the beach.

From Historisch Festival Almere 2011

Almere is gezellig...

A city where it is a pleasure to live.

From A-Z

From A-Z

From A-Z

Swans in the sidewalks. :-)

From A-Z

Almere is Nature...

The fantastic nature reserve of Oostvaardersplassen.
And if you like to watch birds in particular, this is the ideal place to be.

From Almere (III)

From Oostvaardersplassen

A sunset in Almere Pampus.

From Almere (III)

There is much more to enjoy, like De Kemphaan, The Beatrix Park, and many other wonderful places.
In the video below, you will be able to watch more amazing buildings, woods and nice places in Almere to relax and enjoy with your family and friends.

I hope you have enjoyed this trip to Almere, our adopted city.
Take your train in Schiphol Airport and in 30 minutes you are here. Enjoy your stay!
Have fun! Veel plezier!!

(Source of the information about Almere's architecture: http://www.almerenjoy.nl/architectuur_stadshartEN.htm)

Best of Presépio 2011 (1)

In case you have missed it ;-) 
Have fun! :-)


January

Oostvaardersplassen
Photos of this beautiful nature reserve between the cities of Almere and Lelystad in Flevoland.

Zeeuwse Bolus
A Dutch pastry with Portuguese origins.

Amersfoort
The medieval city center of Amersfoort in the mist.

From Amersfoort

February

Delft
Vermeer's city and a jazz bar.

Tussen de Pannen
A very special cooking book where you will find dishes from 15 different nationalities in the Almere's Bouwmeesterbuurt neighbourhood.

From Coisas Minhas

Learning Dutch (1)
How Dutch language crossed my way and how I learned my first words.

Learning Dutch (2)
My first adventures with Dutch language. Looking for a house in Almere.

March

Learning Dutch (3)
My first adventures with Dutch language. Understanding a renting house contract in Dutch.

Kasteel De Haar
A visit to the largest castle of the Netherlands.

Learning Dutch (4)
My first adventures with Dutch language. How to get a renting contract in Dutch.

A Tea in the Garden

A bucolic scenery tea house surrounded by a romantic and nostalgic garden with enchanted corners.

From Eemnes

A Sunset at Boat House

Come and see this very well located restaurant, nice to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.

Learning Dutch (5)
My first adventures with Dutch language. How I dealt with all the official letters in Dutch.

Cristina Branco canta Slauerhoff
The happy meeting between a Portuguese singer and a Dutch poet. To listen carefully.

Learning Dutch (6)
My first adventures with Dutch language. My first experience with Dutch Taxes...in Dutch.

The Life in the City
Pictures of a normal day in Amersfoort.

Best Bibliotheek van Nederland 2010
In Almere, of course ;-) Take a look at the pictures.

From Almere (III)

April

Bring your pet with you
A very special post where I share with you what I have done to bring my cat with me from Portugal.

Dutch Vintage Postcards
A new love. A new passion.

From Coisas Minhas

Zwolse Balletjes
A typical sweet from the beautiful city of Zwolle. An exquisite offer from my dear Aledys.

From Coisas Minhas

De Negen Straatjes

A walk by this famous shopping district of very cute little stores in Amsterdam with my friend Raquel.

My Mate Experience
How I lived a true Argentinian experience. All the story by Aledys, who moved from Argentina to the Netherlands for love.

De Pijp (Amsterdam)

My outing in this lively bohemian district in Amsterdam.

From De Pijp

The Sarphati Park

Pictures of a park in Amsterdam that takes the name of a Dutch citizen of Portuguese origins.

Bazar Restaurant
Pictures of my favourite restaurant in Amsterdam.

Keukenhof 2011
My pictures of the largest flower park in the world.

Koninginnedag
How we celebrated Queen's Day in Almere.

Dodenherdenking

A day to celebrate those who lost their lives in the war, specially in World War II. A book that tells us the stories of those who, like Anne Frank, went into hiding during Holocaust.

A Restaurant surrounded by Contemporary Architecture
In Almere Stad, in front of the Weerwater Lake.