Bar Bra

Sunday morning we entered at 10. Or stood in front of a closed door to be precise. An employee came walking in, telling us we’d better return in 15 minutes. At 10:30 we tried again.
Buffet: croissant, some bacon, boiled eggs an overly sweet cherry-​ish smoothie and that was about it, quite steep at EUR 9.50.
The service was hilariously bad, having lived in Amsterdam for the better part of a decade, this is saying something.
There were two people in the kitchen which is fair enough, and two people ‘manning’ the bar and serving. In the hour and a halve we were sitting here we were asked once if we wanted a drink. Actually, the two girls manning the bar were outside smoking for at least 20 minutes talking to a guy that apparently sort of worked there and blocked half the place with his duffel bag while he himself also sat outside smoking.
At checkout I was unhappily surprised by the cheque which is fine by itself, every business can charge what it wants. The best part about the sensation of feeling money being stolen from you while you are aware of it but cannot do a thing about it was in this case that the person standing behind the bar didn’t say a word, not a single word during the entire transaction phase and sort of looked at us awkwardly.
Although all the other positive reviews on this place must come from somewhere I must say that I cannot understand what this place tries to achieve. It states on the website that bra means good in Swedish, I guess that is to be taken ironically.
I’ve used this place as a bar before but I will never come back again.

Great little find in the Oud West off the Overtoom. The concept is a pop-​up kitchen that changes daily. Sounds ambitions at first, but they totally nailed it. Amazing food, service, attitude. Hear me out:
1. The server was basically on his food break, and got out of his chair to help me, explain their concept, explain the menu. He even was willing to lift an extra table and make room for it outside just for me to have a place to sit. «It’s really not a problem» he says. Really cool.
2. I got a JUG of ice water while waiting. Free. Didn’t even ask for it. In Amsterdam? Enough said.
3. Cocktails are above the norm level. I overheard someone explaining why it’s better to mortar and crush before mixing. I know that sounds trivial. But long drinks in Amsterdam have a disappointing past. Bar Bra’s another spot upping the ante on that one.
4. In the kitchen today were tacos from Best Coast Taqueria. I sat there by myself in some borderline gluttonous tacorgasmic situation, just repeating «wowowow» in my head. When the taco creator came over I had a hard time finding words to express my gratitude… Because my mouth was full… Oh, and I was just in some kind of hazy Mexican siesta world of guac, corn tortillas, lime, green salsa and excellent taco fillings.
The guy behind Best Coast has a great story: Born in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, spent some time in LA before bringing his taco skills to a well-​known eatery in Paris. Apparently the first taco spot in France. He fell for a Frenchy and decided to start a life in Amsterdam as the bearer of soft tacos.
Highlight of my day while visiting about 30 other cafes and restaurants in the area for research. Bravo boys.