Spotlight On: Amsterdam & Beyond

Around the world with the hottest food and travel profiles.

1. Who are you?

I’m Ali, a roaming girl who photographs the world. I have a nomadic heart, friends around the globe, a bottomless belly, and an unshakeable smile. I like boys with brown eyes. Cheap red wine that tastes really good. Fiery wood stoves. Late December snow in Maine. Getting lost in Paris. Ripe summer tomatoes from the farmer’s market. Spicy cocktails served in heavy crystal glasses. Tall pine trees. The smell of a campfire. Biking, boating, and strolling along Amsterdam’s canals. Handwritten notes. Cherry blossoms in London. Cheese and french bread for dinner. Cold Italian pasta for breakfast. Words of consequence. Books you can’t put down. A really good sunset. The fragrance of summer rain. Dior. Napping in the afternoon sun. Family and friends. Fresh oysters with tabasco. Music that makes you forget you’re dancing. Feeling small next to the ocean. Great, simple food. French press coffee with full fat milk. And happiness, above all else.

2. What is your site about?

Seven years ago I moved from a small town in Maine to a big city in Europe. Amsterdam & Beyond is a ongoing story about travel, friendship, great food, and new adventures.

3. What is one food tip you would give about Amsterdam?

If you crave a truly authentic Dutch meal, head over to Moeders and order the Hollandse Rijsttafel. For 19 Euros (EUR) you will be served a family-style meal with all of the Dutch classics. Slow simmered beef, stamppotje, boiled apples, red cabbage, mashed potatoes, stewed pears, bacon, smoked sausage, and gravy. Make a reservation well in advance, and order a bottle of red wine to wash it all down.

4. What is one travel tip you would give about Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a beauty of many seasons. Visit in the spring to see endless fields of tulips bloom. Visit in the summer and boat through the city’s canals, prosecco in hand. In the fall, check out Museum Night, when all of Amsterdam’s cultural hotspots swing open their doors until the early morning hours. Visit in the winter and enjoy some hot oliebollen (deep fried dough balls served from street carts) and go ice-skating at the pop-up rink in Museumplein.

5. What is the best thing to eat in Amsterdam?

The Dutch thrive off of cheese and bread. They often eat it for both breakfast and lunch. They love dipping big chunks of cheese in mustard as a pub snack and there is often a long line at the best bakeries in town, patrons eager to score a warm loaf of fresh bread. While these two staples are divine (both together and alone) my personal favorite Dutch dish consists of Poffertjes, butter, and lots and lots of powdered sugar. Poffertjes are light, bite sized pancakes. They taste like fluffy clouds and are best served under a blanket of warm melted butter.

  Alexandra Ronca, Amsterdam, Amsterdam & Beyond, the Netherlands