Lunch: Boeren Omelet at Broek in Waterland
Coming back from my Italy trip last month, I still had a week long to benefit from my free days before I start with my new job (I’m on my 3rd week already, time flies!). I’ve actually lined up several activities for that week. My inherited habit from the Dutch, the unyielding ‘agenda’, came in very handy. I can’t live without it anymore. I used to own one before in Manila for work but never had something for personal use so the work planner didn’t count.
‘Broeker’ houses in the Havenrak in Broek in Waterland.
Now, I am obsessed with agenda planning my life, lol. Got to thank the Dutch for this but I am truly and really planning everything right to the dot. Jotting down my scheduled activities and appointment in my little book has become a pleasurable task, more like a hobby ha-ha. On the other hand, I need it badly as I have been betrayed many times by my poor memory. Part of me has become very process oriented, which is good, as I need this to aid my recollection deficiency.
Anywho, on top of my agenda was inviting the Dutch parents for lunch in one of the villages in the “52 Mooie Dorpen” book (52 Beautiful Villages). I told them it was my treat which was a surprise. Dutch father didn’t like the idea of me paying for lunch but nonetheless caved in to my invite. The Dutch mother on the other hand, was torn between choosing two villages. Which will it be? Spaarndam? Broek in Waterland? Both villages are small and located in the North Holland province.
Eventually she settled for Broek in Waterland, a small commune of 2,300 and famous for its 17th and 18th century colorful ‘Broeker’ wooden houses.
Typical latticework design and detail of some of the windows in the village.
The N.H. (Nederlands Hervormde) Kerk on the left in the Havenrak.
This torquoise coloured house can easily go at a whopping 1,5 to 2 million Euros price tag.
Wooden houses in the Netherlands are rare because the conventional houses here are made of bricks and stone. So if there are wooden houses, they are usually old traditional homes that are protected by the state. Their façade designs are preserved.
Like in Broek in Waterland, I have seen some pretty ones! Dutch parents and I wandered for a short walk along the Havenrak towards the church and a little further ahead. We took fotos of the pretty houses. They may look simple but these are monumental houses and are worth close to or more than a million euros. I am not joking. Real estate in the Netherlands is expensive.
A collection of Barbie dolls on the window sill.
The Johan Cruijff sculpture and ‘Het Beroemde Huis’ (the famous house).
More beautiful wooden houses:
We had lunch in the most popular restaurant in the village where everyone goes to -- the ‘Pannenkoekenhuis De Witte Swaen’ (The White Swan Pancake House). The restaurant is an old wooden house built in the 16th century and is open all year round.
Pancake houses are by the way typically Dutch. They are the quintessential family restaurants in the Netherlands, and pancakes are served thicker here than French crepes and thinner than the American version. You can add anything to your pancake – fruits, meat, vegetables, cheese, anything. But don’t be misled by this pancake discussion as we didn’t take them for lunch. Instead, we had another Dutch treat, although not as popular as the latter – the Boeren Omelet! (Farmer’s Omelet)
The restaurant Pannenkoekenhuis De Witte Swaen, built circa 1596 as a woonstalhuis (a farm house).
Having Boeren Omelet for lunch was actually Dutch father’s choice. I was just a curious copycat so I ordered the same thing. Well, I am the adventurous type and I like to try new stuff, so why not. As it was a huge serving, I was glad the Dutch mother was there to rescue me for the day as she only had Goulash soup.
Goulash soup is typically Hungarian I believe and the Boeren Omelet (Farmer’s Omelette). Omelette is wrappd with vegetables (carrots, green peas, mushrooms) and strips of crunchy bacon.
Old Droste chocolate canisters.
As for the weather, it did not rain, thank heavens, but it was nothing spectacular as it was grey on the forefront. The sun had been vanquished from the face of the earth while the wind was having a merry field day! As a result, chilly!
In summary, it was a ‘gezellig’ day. Geslag! Broek in Waterland is a pretty little town to walk around, perfect for a half day visit, and the Boeren Omelet lunch was warm and hearty.
Back at home I asked Dutchman if he would have wanted to join us. With a playful scowl on his face, he snapped, “NO WAY!” Hmm, the Dutchman at its finest.
Travel Period: March 2008
Destination: Broek in Waterland (Waterland), The Netherlands
‘Broeker’ houses in the Havenrak in Broek in Waterland. Now, I am obsessed with agenda planning my life, lol. Got to thank the Dutch for this but I am truly and really planning everything right to the dot. Jotting down my scheduled activities and appointment in my little book has become a pleasurable task, more like a hobby ha-ha. On the other hand, I need it badly as I have been betrayed many times by my poor memory. Part of me has become very process oriented, which is good, as I need this to aid my recollection deficiency.
Anywho, on top of my agenda was inviting the Dutch parents for lunch in one of the villages in the “52 Mooie Dorpen” book (52 Beautiful Villages). I told them it was my treat which was a surprise. Dutch father didn’t like the idea of me paying for lunch but nonetheless caved in to my invite. The Dutch mother on the other hand, was torn between choosing two villages. Which will it be? Spaarndam? Broek in Waterland? Both villages are small and located in the North Holland province.
Eventually she settled for Broek in Waterland, a small commune of 2,300 and famous for its 17th and 18th century colorful ‘Broeker’ wooden houses.
Typical latticework design and detail of some of the windows in the village.This torquoise coloured house can easily go at a whopping 1,5 to 2 million Euros price tag.Wooden houses in the Netherlands are rare because the conventional houses here are made of bricks and stone. So if there are wooden houses, they are usually old traditional homes that are protected by the state. Their façade designs are preserved.
Like in Broek in Waterland, I have seen some pretty ones! Dutch parents and I wandered for a short walk along the Havenrak towards the church and a little further ahead. We took fotos of the pretty houses. They may look simple but these are monumental houses and are worth close to or more than a million euros. I am not joking. Real estate in the Netherlands is expensive.
A collection of Barbie dolls on the window sill.More beautiful wooden houses:
We had lunch in the most popular restaurant in the village where everyone goes to -- the ‘Pannenkoekenhuis De Witte Swaen’ (The White Swan Pancake House). The restaurant is an old wooden house built in the 16th century and is open all year round.
Pancake houses are by the way typically Dutch. They are the quintessential family restaurants in the Netherlands, and pancakes are served thicker here than French crepes and thinner than the American version. You can add anything to your pancake – fruits, meat, vegetables, cheese, anything. But don’t be misled by this pancake discussion as we didn’t take them for lunch. Instead, we had another Dutch treat, although not as popular as the latter – the Boeren Omelet! (Farmer’s Omelet)
The restaurant Pannenkoekenhuis De Witte Swaen, built circa 1596 as a woonstalhuis (a farm house).Having Boeren Omelet for lunch was actually Dutch father’s choice. I was just a curious copycat so I ordered the same thing. Well, I am the adventurous type and I like to try new stuff, so why not. As it was a huge serving, I was glad the Dutch mother was there to rescue me for the day as she only had Goulash soup.
Goulash soup is typically Hungarian I believe and the Boeren Omelet (Farmer’s Omelette). Omelette is wrappd with vegetables (carrots, green peas, mushrooms) and strips of crunchy bacon.As for the weather, it did not rain, thank heavens, but it was nothing spectacular as it was grey on the forefront. The sun had been vanquished from the face of the earth while the wind was having a merry field day! As a result, chilly!
In summary, it was a ‘gezellig’ day. Geslag! Broek in Waterland is a pretty little town to walk around, perfect for a half day visit, and the Boeren Omelet lunch was warm and hearty.
Back at home I asked Dutchman if he would have wanted to join us. With a playful scowl on his face, he snapped, “NO WAY!” Hmm, the Dutchman at its finest.
Travel Period: March 2008
Destination: Broek in Waterland (Waterland), The Netherlands
