In November 2016, we began drafting our initial plans for a new dining concept in Amsterdam East—something that would bring joy to all four of us. A place where spaces wouldn’t be reserved exclusively for just one specific purpose, but where we could make the most of all the possibilities offered by an old hotel lobby.
 

A place where people can work (flexibly), play, enjoy casual meals, host fun events, and—above all—where everyone can feel at home. Call it a living room or a community center 2.0.

Those were wonderful months of negotiations with the landlord —during which every detail was thoroughly discussed and every i was dotted and every t was crossed.
 

Next came the choice of a contractor (which, unfortunately, didn’t turn out quite as well as expected). Making beautiful plans with our amazing designer from Rotterdam (apparently, that’s totally possible in Amsterdam...). Browsing tile shops and furniture makers, interior design shops, flooring stores, and picking out lamps, chairs, tables, kitchen accessories and all kinds of other essentials, both in-store and online.
 

But we also had to choose our suppliers. From beer from the South to cheese from the East. Hundreds of cups of of coffee were tasted, as were nearly as many glasses of wine. Many products were the subject of heated discussion, and on others, we were in one bite .
 

And, perhaps the most important task of all: putting together a great team of employees. From the kitchen to the front of the house, and of course our heroes in the dishwashing. That search has definitely yielded the best results. The many compliments we receive about them on Facebook, Google, and, of course, directly from our guests speak for themselves! They’re the best!
 

On Friday, September 1, 2017—at exactly 5:00 p.m. we threw open the doors —and the adventure could finally begin. And after Het Parool published published a nice article , we were truly open for business. And it really is an adventure, with practically a new experience every day (sometimes negative, but almost always positive). With plans that had to be adjusted after just two weeks and feedback from guests that keeps us walking around with big smiles on our faces every day.
 

Over the past 4 months, we’ve had the privilege of working with such notable clients as eBay, Guidion, ING Bank, ABN AMRO, BNR, Hotel Casa, InQdo, Nuon, Ymere, and PwC, as well as for “ordinary” occasions like the birthdays of Lucy Mae, Hans, Fenne, Eelco, and Thijs, among others. We also mustn’t forget the wedding of Marjolein and Erik, , of course.
 

We've organized social gatherings and dinners for the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), the Police, the University of Amsterdam (UVA), Bureau Fris, RS Finance, and our friends who live with us at Buzzmaster. It was great to be there for De Zonnebloem’s wonderful Christmas lunch. And what was “From Work Pressure to Work Happiness” such a fantastic conference.
 

Events have been hosted for Young Dogs, Mapstell and Girls Who Drink. And there were kids’ parties, cooking workshops, magic lessons, mad science events, shuffleboard bonanzas, karaoke nights, Mario Kart tournaments, pub quizzes, curling championships, and the first edition of Amsterdam Wine-Yoga.
 

None of this would have been possible without the many suppliers, friends, and family members who helped us, worked with us, and were there for us when we needed them most... thank you all so much!

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Elsa, Felix, Jim, and Thomas