Category: Amsterdam
Hockney & Van Gogh, or ‘The Vince and Dave Show’, plus All the Rembrandts
April 30, 2019
To give the exhibition its official title: “Hockney – Van Gogh, The Joy of Nature”. It opens with David Hockney on film, talking to camera about his own work, Van Gogh, and the exhibition. “It’s a good title – better than ‘The Vince & Dave Show’,” he says with a mischievous twinkle. Wearing a […]
Just a quiet Monday night in Amsterdam
April 23, 2019
Caffè Toscanini, Amsterdam Arriving early for our reservation, we asked if we could have an aperitif at the bar. I could see we were in safe hands, they stocked all the right brands. I ordered an Americano from the drinks list; equal parts Bèrto Bitter and white vermouth, with a (mere) splash of Fevertree […]
My round-up of 2018
December 28, 2018
2018 has been a year that required urgent distractions from the shambles that passed for political debate in Westminster. Fortunately it’s been a good year for adventures: exhibitions, travel, theatre, food & drink. Here are just a few of my personal highlights: Theatre – behind the scenes at The Bridge In February I wrote […]
High Society (and King’s Day) in Amsterdam
May 12, 2018
High Society “High Society” is presented as an exclusive party of just thirty-nine guests, at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam – but we are invited in to meet them. The noise level in the gallery rose noticeably during my first visit, like a party as the guests start arriving. And what guests they are; dressed to kill, […]
Amsterdam, and a Tale of Two Brasseries
May 10, 2018
I arrived in Amsterdam on a sunny afternoon and checked into my hotel in the lively de Pijp district, close to Museumplein. I hadn’t booked a restaurant for dinner, but had brought some old cuttings with reviews for inspiration; I settled on Dauphine, which looked as if it would be a pleasant half hour stroll, […]