Netherlands catchup

Zuidlaren, Netherlands, June 2--

NOT ALWAYS EASY to find internet access when you're walking around in a foreign country; no it isn't. And that's too bad, because there's been some interesting eating. Herewith a shorthand account of the last few days -- four days, four towns, four provinces! -- when I'm able to I'll enlarge on things.

Saturday, May 30, Middelburg, Zeeland: A fine pot of Darjeeling at Honey Pie, with beautiful home-made scones -- I'd call them biscuits -- easily splitting for generous spoonfuls of lemon marmalade. But dinner! Such a funny story; I'll have to tell it when I have time to type it up. (It's close to midnight now; I walked twenty-odd kilometers today; it's time for bed.)

Sunday, May 31, Rien, Friesland: An even better story, and rather complex, involving four or five top chefs from Amsterdam, all gathered in a tiny town in Friesland to cook demonstrations at the Third Annual Friture Conference. Sweetbreads, olives, squash blossoms, shrimp, you name it. I'll get to it later.

Monday, June 1, Groningen, Groningen: Ham-cheese tosti for lunch, a memorable dinner in a Sardinian restaurant.

Tuesday, June 2, Zuidlaren, Drenthe: Uitsmijter for lunch -- you know, one of those open-faced sandwiches with ham, cheese, and three fried eggs. Dinner at another Sard restaurant -- do those guys have a lock on northern Netherlands Italian restaurants? Insalata mista, maloreddus, a pizza, and -- finally -- lamb. And a bottle of unusual and unusually delicious Sard red wine.