Amsterdam Shopping Tips by davequ

Grey Area and Puccini Chocolate: A good intersection in Amsterdam Chocolate Review

This is a prime shopping intersection in Amsterdam if chocolate & trichomes are your priorities:

Singel and Oude Leliestraat near the eastern boundary of the Jordaan.

On your left: the best chocolate in the world (pucinni koffie bonbons);
On your right: trichomes from grey area;

Adjourn to the terrace for grins.

What to buy: pucinni koffie bon bons; grey mist crystals;

What to pay: Total expense: maybe $35. Definitely a cheap date.

Directions: Intersection of Singel and Oude Leliegracht canals in the Jordaan.

Theme: Hobbies

puccini bomboni: My favorite Chocolate in the world Chocolate Review

I love chocolate.
...... I love Nederlands.
Now I must be living right, because my absolute favorite chocolate is sold only in Nederlands/Amsterdam:

Puccini Bomboni



I was tempted to put this tip not under shopping but under "General necessity information or Activities."

No day goes by for me in Amsterdam without enjoying at least 2 puccini bonbons.

I like Godivas in Belgium and lots of other chocolates, but to me, there is nothing like Puccini.

They do not seem to be available anywhere else (please let me know if they are), and they don't ship to u.s. or sell on the web.

Not only that, the very nice and extremely helpful lady in the puccinibomboni on the Singel told me even if I ship them myself (very expensive), they wouldn't arrive in the same condition..... they do not support or recommend their product after it has reached the ripe old age of 8 days. (only fresh ingredients in the secret recipes, and few if any preservatives of any kind).

Oh well, guess I just have to move there (another good reason).

Shown here is the interior of the other/main location @ Staalstraat 17, but since I was staying in the Jordaan, I always went to the shop on the Singel.

What to buy: My absolute favorites are the koffie, but many love hazelnut, etc.

They have so many varieties to choose from I'm sure there is something there that will light up just about anyone.

What to pay: My koffie bonbons were 44Euros/kg (about $26/lb at December '04 rates).

On one stop at puccini I bought .090kg (about 7 bonbons)
and the bill was 3.96Euros ($5.05)

or about $ .75 each,

a steal for the best chocolates in the world.

Address: Singel 184 1016 AA Amsterdam

Directions: 1 block w from Spuistraat on the west corner Singel and Oude Leliestraat.
Right across from grey area.
4 directionally impaired... click below....
Puccini Singel

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.puccinibomboni.com

Ellie Saiyd's BEAD ART: A wonderful shop, with a lovely & kind proprietor Souvenir Shops Review

I will classify this under antiques / souvenirs as there was no category listed as "world treasures."

Bead Art on Reestraat has beautiful treasures and gifts from around the world, especially Asia and Far East/Orient.

This is not junk or tourist "gifts," these are truly class treasures hand picked by the owner in the countries she visits.

Most of all, the most enchanting Mevrouw Ellie Sayid is not only kind, warm, welcoming and helpful, but also one of the more knowledgeable and interesting people I have ever had the pleasure to meet and speak with.

If you shop seriously here and manage to make her acquaintance, if she has time, ask her to show you the painting and photograph of herself taken dressed as (my impression) a glamorous, early film star (e.g. Theda Bara).
She was so lovely in the picture, and she is still so attractive and charming today.

My thanks and sincere respect to her husband who had the class not to thrash me for muttering and stammering as I drooled over his lovely wife: asking question after stupid question just to remain as long as possible in her presence:
Dank u well Meneer.

---

Just for fun, hear is a Theda Bara quote:

""the reason good women like me
and flock to my pictures
is that there is a little bit of vampire instinct in every woman "

What to buy: What your heart desires, what catches your eye, and of course, what suits your budget.

Again, this is not cheap junk. You get what you pay for.

Truly beautiful pieces of art, sculpture, glass, antiques, of legitimate wares from Asia, the Orient, and ???

There is something here for everyone.

The link below is a picture of the shop and some of the objects in the window from my "Reestraat Stroll" Travelogue. Scroll down to the picture that says "Reestraat 12 shop"
Bead Art Front Window

What to pay: What the market will bear. Ms. Saiyd will negotiate a fair price if you are not rude or pushy.

Address: Reestraat 12 1016 DN Amsterdam

Directions: Left side (North) on Reestraat between Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht next to (east of) the Jordaan.

Other Contact: beadart@hetnet.nl

Phone: 020 6241792 / 06 15431834

Theme: Antiques

Albert Heijn - Supermarkets: Albert Heijn Supermarkets Review

Since my favorite place to stay in Amsterdam is in a furnished CityMundo apartment, I get to stock the refrigerator with snacks, cold cuts, cheese, eggs, herring, beer, etc.

A convenient place to shop for non-specialty groceries and other stuff like that is Albert Heijn. These supermarkets are everywhere all over town, reasonably priced, and they have everything.

What to buy: Nice deli and and cheese sections, and of course, the beer aisle.

Address: Raadhuisstraat/Westermarkt in the Jordaan

Directions: On Raadhuisstraat /Westermarkt, in between Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, across the street from the West Church (Westerkerk).

Being a grocery chain, they are all over town.

Theme: Food and Drink