There is more to the Netherlands than just 'Amsterdam'- The three must see places you don't want to miss if you are visiting the Netherlands in spring!!

FEBO-Eating out of the ‘wall’

FEBO-Eating out of the ‘wall’

Netherlands is a beautiful country and the most touristy place in the Netherlands any day is Amsterdam. Now you may think just like any other tourist who has been to Amsterdam I will start off with the beautiful canals, the majestic museums and of ‘course the tulips. I would love to write about all of these but the foodie in me decided to start off with something else.

The Dutch people are very tolerant people and pretty advanced in a lot of stuff but before coming to Netherlands I have never heard of anything like a Dutch cuisine. I think this is the only aspect they are lagging behind unlike their continental neighbours like Italy or France. However the Dutch people have something which none of the other European countries rather no other country has and that is you have guessed it right, ‘FEBO’.

FEBO is a chain of Dutch walk-up fast food restaurants which is automatic in nature.  FEBO is most notable for this automatic format and beats KFC or McDonald’s any day if you are especially in Amsterdam. The FEBO snacks can be bought from the automats on a wall. The primary automat-vended items are mostly snacks of Dutch origin like Krokets, Frikandellan, Hamburgers, Kaassouffle’s and other similar deep fried items. The best part of FEBO is that if you are starving but almost broke, it always has a snack to fit your budget as it’s the most ‘Lekker’ that’s tasty for Dutch and affordable. FEBO also has a counter which is available for purchasing French fries, beverages, and hamburgers etc apart from the automats.

Now you might be thinking why there is so much fuss about FEBO since we all have seen vending machines back in our country. Yes I agree you have had your own fair share of automat experience already back home but have you ever had the experience of eating a deep fried fresh Kroket out of the wall. Well there lies the catch! All the items sold in FEBO are fresh and prepared everyday and none of the items are packed or canned food. Well the process is pretty simple, you walk up to the window of the tastiest-looking treat, drop the correct amount in the slot, open the door, and take out your snack just as in any other vending machine except here the machine is a huge one almost like a wall full of yummy food shelved in compartments waiting to be picked up.

Well if you refer to the picture below I am sure you will get some idea for the live experience you need to hit a FEBO shop next time you are in Amsterdam or any other big city in the Netherlands for that matter.

  pic source-Alamy & Tankpro

History of FEBO

This famous fast-food eatery was founded in the year 1941 in Amstelveenseweg in Amsterdam, near the Olympic Stadium under the name FEBO Bakery by Johan Isaac Borst. It was later renamed as Maison Febo after Ferdinand Bolstraat. According to Febo historians, Borst learned many of his skills from a boss who was based along the Ferdinand Bolstraat, a street in central Amsterdam. The snack shop’s name is thus a tribute to his experiences there. FEBO actually started out as a small pastry shop, run by a baker named John Isaac Borst. Besides artisan breads and other delicacies John Borst got his fame by inventing the most famous Dutch snack the ‘Kroketten’ (potato and meat croquettes).

Before long the demand for the freshly made ‘Kroketten’ was so high that eventually the quaint bakery was transformed into an automat-style restaurant where eager customers queued up to pull out their favorite fried snacks.

On the Menu

FEBO is still best known for its croquettes. Here are a few, yummy meaty recommendations: “Kalfsvleeskroket” for those who love beef or “Kipcorn” for those who crave a bit of chicken. For the Eastern touch, check out “bami” or “nasi,” both croquettes come packed with rice or noodles, as well as vegetables and herbs. If you’re looking for a non-meat option, check out the delicious “Kaassouffle,” a fried cheese nugget.

FEBO has also expanded its menu to include other non-croquette offerings, including some Asian-inspired dishes, “pataats” (chips), and a few sweet snacks. They also serve grilled hamburgers and sandwiches.

All these are pretty cheap and affordable to one and all. For further details on the menu please check FEBO’s website www.febo.nl.

According to the company website, FEBO has 66 shops all over the Netherlands with 54 being franchises. There are 22 shops in  Amsterdam alone and thus FEBO has become an integrated part of the Dutch culture.

So next time you are in Amsterdam don't forget to drop by FEBO..happy EATING!

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                     

Utrecht and beyond - A visit to Groenekan and Molen de Geesina

Utrecht and more-A visit to Groenekan and Molen de Geesina

One of the most beautiful cities in Netherlands is Utrecht with its old canals and a blend of medieval and modern architecture. The city in itself can amuse one for days especially if you are an expat staying here for a while. The romantic old houses, numerous cafes, musicians playing on the streets on a sunny day, the flower markets every Saturday and the trips in small boats around the city in the canals are a few among the so many things to do in Utrecht . Also if you are visiting this city as a student or for work purposes and not as tourist for a few days only there are numerous other places around Utrecht to explore apart from the beautiful city centre, a visit to the Dom Tower and the numerous interesting museums.

In this article today I will be discussing about one such trip which is easily accessible from the city centre or from any part of the city for that matter by bus or ever better if you have your bikes 'coz when in Holland its always best to follow the Dutchie way!

Groenekan

Groenekan is a village in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of De Bilt, and lies about 3 km west of Bilthoven.

It is a beautiful village consisting of classic Dutch architectural houses and agricultural farms where you can see the sheep’s and horses grazing.

The prime attraction of this village is the old windmill Molen de Geesina and some stables which one can visit if they love horses.

So if you are just like me who always wanted to visit Netherlands primarily for the two main reasons tulips and the old windmills I have the perfect location for you in Utrecht to fulfill one of those wishes.

After coming to Utrecht the first windmill every expat visits is the Molen de Ster in Lombok which is beautiful undoubtedly but always a bit crowded as its famous amongst tourists and because of its proximity to the city centre. So if you are a kind of person like me who loves solitude and loves to explore the country side don’t take a bus just get on to your bikes and plan a trip to Groeneken on a weekend afternoon maybe and reach there enjoying the beauty of nature when you take a break in between.

It is best if you visit Groenekan on a sunny day and have a picnic lunch there with your friends or your partner or  maybe just check out one of the cozy restaurants like 'Dorpsbistro Naast De Buren’ or ‘Wok Plaza’ or simply just spend some time in a café nearby after you are done with the day tour of the village before returning back to the city.

Highlights of Groeneken

Molen De Geesina/Korenmolen Geesina - A little bit about the history

The Geesina is a wind mill in Groenekan in the province of Utrecht.

The mill was in all likelihood built in 1843. Between 1911 and

1998, the mill was owned by the family of Abraham Schuurman. 





The mill until 1941 was called De Groenekan. In 1941 after the mill restoration was done by
 Abraham Schuurman‘s wife it was renamed after her as, ‘Geesina’. After that there was a 
period of decline, and again the mill was restored in 1968.



Then the mill was used for a while, but the condition gradually became worse so
a new owner, the Foundation Utrecht Mills, after the purchase of the mill from 
the Schuurman in 1998 began an extensive restoration . Due to financial problems the
 restoration ceased in 2000.




For several years, the Foundation Utrecht Mills associated with the Utrecht
landscape and finally on December 22, 2011, placed the restored hood and
curtain rods in the mill again. On May 12, 2012, during the National Mills Day,
the mill was festively reopened.

Stal Ruigenhoek

Stal Ruigenhoek is one of the biggest stables in Groenekan which I visited on my day trip there.

They maintain quite a good many number of horses. The horses are one of the loveliest creatures on earth and the staff there being very friendly I could even pat some of them. I was lucky enough to see some of them practice running and indeed it was such a lovely sight to behold to see them galloping away enjoying their freedom. For me the best part of visiting Groenekan was the time I could spend with the horses as I am one mad animal lover.

So if you are in for some multicultural food, people and beautiful landscapes (all seasons round but preferably on a sunny day) then make sure to drop by Groenekan village during your time in Utrecht and if it's in winter don't forget your binny and gloves!