Delivery review: Flying Dutchmen cocktail bar and Spaghetteria Pasta-bar
In this insane corona era, restaurants are closed, so we’re happily dining out at home. Fortunately, lots of new and special delivery and takeaway restaurants are being added. And we’re going to test them for you. That way, we can keep eating well and support the hospitality industry. Today, a delightful duo: Flying Dutchmen cocktail bar and Spaghetteria Pasta-bar in Amsterdam.
A duo?
Yes, here’s how it works. Lots of restaurants have switched to delivery, but what do you drink with it? Wine or beer, mais oui, but sometimes a cocktail with your meal is simply delicious too. Before it, after it, either way: suddenly we had a terrible craving for cocktails. And here’s the good news: Flying Dutchmen Cocktails, one of Amsterdam’s best cocktail bars, now delivers to your home too! Since you can’t keep knocking back cocktails on an empty stomach, we’re also adding something to line it. The food is provided by another establishment: Spaghetteria, the fast-growing, hip pasta business that keeps opening one location after another. Popular with young people because of the excellent price-quality ratio of its authentic Italian dishes.
The delivery
The black linen bag contains a cardboard cup holder with two fluorescent green plastic bar cups; one filled with plastic Japanese snack mix, the other with an ice cube and garnish. There is a handwritten note saying ‘much love, team Flying Dutchmen‘ and a printed card with the recipe and instructions. The bag resembles blood plasma. Why does everything have a medical connotation these days?
The cocktail
We ordered the cocktail called ‘Penicillin’. It may not work against viruses, but it does work against pneumonia, an appropriate medicine in these times. All we have to do is shake the bag lightly and pour it over the ice. We just about manage that, although the tough cocktail shake skills and accompanying looks are sadly missing. The cocktail consists of Scotch whisky, honey and ginger syrup, lime juice, Angostura bitters and a bar spoonful of smoky Scotch. The latter gives a smoky note to the fresh whisky cocktail, which is beautifully balanced. It’s strange to drink such a sophisticated cocktail from a plastic toothbrush cup, but it doesn’t taste any less delicious for it.
The menu
While we sip the cocktail, the doorbell rings again. The delivery driver has left the bag at the door, as requested in the ordering app. He is already back on his bike and wishes me an enjoyable meal. The aluminum container is covered with cardboard secured with bandage tape.
When I pour the contents of the first-aid kit onto the plate, a delicious Mediterranean aroma rises. It’s the Casarecce con salsiccia e zucchine, in other words, short twisted pasta with Tuscan sausage, Taggiasca olives, red onion and courgette. The meal is rich in flavor, with more than enough spicy sausage and crunchy courgette. A chunk of fresh bread is served alongside, intended for mopping up every last drop of the deliciously fatty sausage juices.
Can this cheerful duo join us at the table more often?
Wholeheartedly, yes! Flying Dutchmen’s cocktails are perfect for a moment of indulgence in these difficult times. Starting at 9 euros, and you can keep them for a little longer, so it’s worth ordering a few extra straight away. Spaghetteria also passes the strict selection, thanks to its delicious flavor, and at 16.50 euros. The presentation from this restaurant could still use some work. You can order the cocktails via Deliveroo, and the pasta can be ordered via Uber Eats.
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