We spent the past few days in Greece, on the island of Rhodes. We had a really lovely house with a private pool and it wasn't expensive. Now that's nice. Although I think we were lucky. You can eat really well in Greece, and we were more than happy to do so. Greek food is delicious and not too expensive. Wonderful dishes from the grill, full and fresh flavours. I really love it. When I'm back from holiday, I always like to bring a few influences from the country in question back into my cooking. That way you don't have to say goodbye to your holiday completely just yet. In a recent poll you told me you'd like to read, see and hear more fun facts. That got me thinking. Because did you know that……
there are lots of Greek influences on the Amsterdamsestraatweg?
The Amsterdamsestraatweg in Utrecht is the longest shopping street in the Netherlands and has a rich history. In the sixties and seventies, many Greek guest workers came to the Netherlands, including to Utrecht. This led to a large concentration of Greeks in Utrecht, especially on the Amsterdamsestraatweg.
Eviva
The influence of the Greek community can still be seen on the Amsterdamsestraatweg. There are various Greek shops and places to eat and drink. At the start of the Amsterdamsestraatweg you'll find Eviva. Here you'll find the tastiest Greek meatballs, the best saganaki and delicious moussaka and stifado. Just thinking about it makes me hungry.
Rigakis
A little further along you'll find Rigakis. A tiny little shop selling Greek delicacies. Stella and Maria are ready to sell you real Greek yoghurt, delicious olive oil or fresh tzatziki. I'm also a fan of the sheep's cheese with figs and the fresh feta.
’t Dikkertje
People in the neighbourhood often recommend that we go to ’t Dikkertje. It's always packed, too. Here you'll find good gyros, souvlaki and baklava. Apparently Jorgos is called Dikkertje (‘Chubby’) by his wife, and that's where the name comes from. I think it's a lovely story, but I don't know whether it's really true. Of course I don't want to offend Jorgos.
Meraki Greek
Next to ’t Dikkertje you'll find Meraki Greek, with real Greek coffee and the tastiest Greek pastries. It's even vegan-friendly. I even spotted the little pistachio ice creams I ate last year on the Greek island of Kefalonia. They were a kind of mini Magnum, but really mega delicious and with unusual flavours. Not as rich as a real big fat Magnum, but certainly just as tasty.
Café Thanasis
I often cycle past here and I'm always a little impressed: there are always people sitting outside drinking coffee. Come rain or shine. It feels a bit like an old brown café (a traditional Dutch pub), with thick Persian rugs on the tables and lace curtains. I keep telling myself I'll go and take a look. Jeroen from The Food Club shares this fascination. Maybe we should go and eat there soon after all; apparently there's no menu, but the reviews are very good. If you've eaten there, I'd love to hear your verdict.
Oli Mazi
And then we also have a very special restaurant. Oli Mazi, a Greek fusion restaurant. OLI MAZÍ (“όλοι μαζί” means together in Greek) is Utrecht's go-to shared dining restaurant. With us you eat creative seasonal dishes with a Greek twist. The dishes are for sharing, just as they are in Greece. In addition, we have an endless range of beautiful Greek wines, signature cocktails and live music every Saturday! Doesn't that sound fantastic?
Nikos
A real Greek family restaurant. They want you to experience that Greek holiday feeling. Authentic dishes, but with a modern twist.
History of the guest workers
From the end of the 1960s, the families of guest workers were allowed to come to the Netherlands. This was only allowed if you had already worked for 1 year, were allowed to keep working for another year and had an owner-occupied home. That last condition was often a problem. The housing market was tight and they didn't earn much. There was a severe housing shortage. Many guest workers didn't speak the language. Because of their low income, they could only buy a home in an old working-class neighbourhood. Lombok and Pijlsweerd were poor neighbourhoods at the time. Here they could buy a home in poor condition for too high a price. Guest workers brought their families to the Netherlands and built a life here. The Greeks moved mainly to the Amsterdamsestraatweg, and the Moroccan & Turkish guest workers settled mainly in Lombok. You can still see this in the streetscape. As a result, Lombok & Pijlsweerd have a very varied range of shops and places to eat and drink. A cosmopolitan street with an enormous number of great ingredients.
The Amsterdamsestraatweg is a cosmopolitan street
Would you like to live around the corner from a street that lets you hold on to that holiday feeling a little longer? Where you can still eat in that Greek taverna when your holiday is already over? Where you can still get your hands on the tastiest tzatziki and Greek yoghurt? Then keep an eye on our listings. Admit it, it's just too cool to be able to buy all the ingredients for the best dinners around the corner and to have so many special little restaurants nearby.
