Amsterdam - To Eat (Warung Marlon Javanese Takeaway, Castell)

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Warung Marlon Javanese takeaway
(Closed on Tue)

Ordered:
31July2014
Soto Ajam
(Javanese chicken soup small)

When ordering small, it really is very small. Instead of traditional yellow noodles it is served with bee hoon. Decent flavor from the soup but the real kicker for those in need of spice in their life is the black sauce. chili padi kind of spice that goes well with the dish. Add in moderation.

Click here for ABBA location of Warung Marlon 1e v.d. Helsstraat 55 1073 ADAmsterdam (Near Albert Cuyp market)

Castell

The interior setting as seen in the picture above is dark. Often to accommodate large groups, the seemingly cozy, rustic low table, corner setting with a huge overhanging light is often assigned. However, its impracticality soon becomes evident. You've got to dine on your laps and the huge light fixture hinders line of sight as well as conversation.

An updated review

Ordered on:

08May2015

Ribs €18

I haven't had Castels, in a long while since the first initial trying of the ribs and decided to go again, just to 'refresh' what the strong attraction and pull towards these ribs were?

The ribs still fall of the bone but were incredibly dry as per the first trying. Ribs are small-portioned and with a decorative excuse of a salad which was never consumed. For the same pricing or even 30%less, there are other joints around the corner with free flow of ribs which come with a serving of fries, salad and some even a beer thrown in! Even ordering an additional beer costs less than a single ribs order at Castels. This will probably be the last time I have ribs at Castels and would recommend going to Cafe De Klos over this joint. The salmon (reviewed below)  however I still recommend to anyone who hasn't tried it. Best salmon grilled done to date.

This is but a personal view point and preferences as sentiments for this crew joint runs deep. Perhaps a large enough place to hang for the camaraderie as opposed to the food. (That in itself is already limited as the tables are often needed and we had to be done with our meal in an hour an a half)

Try both crew joints for yourself or others to decide for yourself. However, in my opinion, in the category of best pork ribs, Rusticana located in Munich is still the top and trumps both these ribs joints, hands down.

Ordered On:
  02Oct2024

*Two thumbs up for the steak Tar-tar!*

Ordered On:
 31July2013
Ribs €18

 *Meat do fall off the bone with ease. Without the extra BBQ sauce, meat maybe a little dry towards the end of the meal. Nothing really special that cannot be had else where.*
- Castell also vacuum packs their ribs for the same price of €18.

Salmao no Churrasco (Salmon) €16

*The salmon is fantastically cooked and meat melts like butter when in the mouth. Amazing flavor and cooked evenly throughout, Succulent, delicately prepared and delicious. People should be coming here for the fish, over the ribs. It so beautifully done that you just had to order it the second time around*
Lobster Bisque €7
*The soup could be creamier with generous servings of lobster. It lacked the
omph and didn't attract one to go for another spoonful.*
Escargot €7
*Served in a metal dish as opposed to a pipping hot ceramic one, the dish got cold fast. Shells were all cracked and escargot were swimming in Luke warm garlic butter. An inspiring, rubbery snails not worth a order.*

A nice riverside bistro which was much cooler on the outside. Others have raved over the ribs here, through cooked well, are on the dry side. The lobster bisque and escargo uninspiring and their salad for pure decorative purposes. 

The fish however was amazing and should be the dish to order.

ABBAtip: 
- Castell also vacuum packs their ribs for the same price of €18.

- Main dishes do not come with sides. Sides like bake potato are very large and would be advisable to share.
- Try the Salmon here. Although primarily a meat BBQ joint, the salmon was amazingly prepared! Not to be missed.
- *Contributed by Roy: CASTELL. STEAK Dun order medium rare. Medium is well bloody enough.*
Make online reservation for easier seatings to accomodate larger groups. 
Click here for ABBA location of Castell, Lijnbaansgracht 252-253-254 1017 RK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Click here for ABBA details on Castell menu timings and more. 

Copenhagen - To Do (ABBA Contribution by Denison Tan 02May2015 - Cycling to Dyrehaven, Malmo, Free Walking Tours, The Queen)

Copenhagen - To Stay
Copenhagen - To Eat 
Copenhagen - To Do
Copenhagen - To Buy

Copenhagen - To Do

02May2015 (ABBA Contribution Denison Tan)
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Copenhagen. Cycling To Dyrehaven

Click here for rough routing to Dyrehaven Approx 12km away.

On this occasion, bicycles were rented from the hotel Bella Sky (170DKK) and after taking nearly an hour in chilly winds, a trip to Dyrehaven was made. It is (was?) the royal hunting grounds but now is open to the public. There is also amusement park, Bakken, supposedly the world’s oldest onsite. The deer tended to be rather wary of our presence. The routing was managed with handphones and Google Earth.

Some simple rules include keeping to the bike paths and observing the smaller traffic lights meant for bicycles at the junctions. 

Malmo

Click here for ABBA Location of Malmo

Getting There

You will need to get the train tickets from Orestad station just outside of Field’s Shopping Centre. But it only accepts coins or credit card – so keep your PIN handy. Otherwise, take the train down to the airport where they have machines that accept notes for the tickets. For a one-way family ticket it came to 144DKK. The ticket back took 189SEK from Malmo.

From the route in the train (above), Orestad is at Field’s, Kastrup the airport and Malmo C our destination.

Ticket booth at Kastrup airport.

Did not encounter any border control between Copenhagen to Malmo. On the other hand, ticket inspectors were present both ways so make sure the proper ticket is purchased.

Landed on a rather wet day in Malmo which adversely reduced sightseeing opportunities. Head across the road to the tourist centre to ask for directions.

Malmohus Slott

Visited the Malmohus Castle a short walk away – at various times belonging previously to Denmark, a corrective prison before its present state as a museum.

 

 

The 40SEK fee for the Fortress also permits entry to the nearby Tekniska Museet, Technical Museum, a museum housing various aircraft and vehicles.

The highlight would have to be the WWII submarine nestled in the grounds of the Museum.

 

  ’Fart’ means ‘speed’ in Swedish…

Like the Malmohus, it does seem somewhat dated and the lack of English translation for a number of exhibits may hinder appreciation of the history.

 

At the station, sought to sample the local delicacy of Smørrebrød – open-faced sandwich when we were identified as Singaporeans by the counter staff. Apparently Victoria used to work in Singapore for a few years and is also married to a Singaporean. Small world… The going rate for the Smorrebrod was 89SEK for 3 choices.

Copenhagen Walking Tour
http://www.copenhagenfreewalkingtours.dk/

In a city as pricey as Copenhagen, it is nice to know some things come free (almost). The guides are students who conduct the tours for tips. Lively and witty, our guide regaled us about the history of the areas we passed, including the fires that razed Copenhagen, why the country is so darn expensive, and the breathtakingly short resistance of Denmark to German invasion in WWII.

House which JC Jacobsen the founder of Carlsberg used to reside.

Christiansborg Palace where the Danish Parliament meets

The tour lasts about 3hrs with a stop in between. The group meets at the front of the Town Hall at 11am, and sets off if there are 5 or more people. Look out for the guides with their yellow umbrellas.

Queen's Birthday

One lead from the walking tour was that the following day, April 16 was Queen Margrethe II’s 75^th birthday. The annual affair starts from Amelienbourg Palace at 12 noon where she and the Royal Family greets the crowds below.

Then an open carriage ride passing from the Palace through the walking street to the Town Hall – in startling proximity given the security environment these days…

ABBA Deals - India - Mumbai - Medical (ABBA Contribution)

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Medical(ABBA Contribution)

Medication and medical needs right at your door step. A stone throw away form Four Seasons Hotel. Across the street from the hotel, turn left 100m.
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