Robert Cottrell

We arrived at an empty restaurant only to be told we would have to wait a few minutes so that they could pull some tables together to seat us. Fortunately, as we proceeded to walk into the seating area anyway, someone quickly stepped out from behind the counter to help us get seated.

We ordered a plate of nachos which weren’t that bad. My “inferno burrito”, on the other hand, was actually very dry and extremely bland. At least the burrito was fairly big so I didn’t go hungry, only unsatisfied.

I think I’ll just stick with Taco Del Mar for my burrito eating needs.

I had heard a lot of people talk about this place when I lived in the U District, but had never actually gone until today. The restaurant was crowded, with two groups of people waiting for tables in front of us and another group behind us, but we only had to wait a few minutes before getting a table.

I didn’t know what to expect from the restaurant before I arrived. I was surprised to learn that the menu was full of organically grown food and a description of the restaurant talked about the Slow Food movement. Normally I wouldn’t support these hippie causes, but we were already seated and I didn’t want to leave.

I skipped past several entrees featuring Amsterdam gouda cheese. I had just come back from Amnsterdam and I don’t think they even make cheese there anyway. Instead I chose the omlette special which was served with red potatoes and wheat toast. It was remarkably good especially considering that the food lacked many of the pesticides and hormones that give real food its refreshing, full taste.

There were still several people waiting for tables when we finished our meal so I tried to hurry out as soon as possible to let others have a seat. It would have been nice to enjoy a little more time guilt free before leaving.

My first international train trip in Europe was from Amsterdam to Bruges with a transfer in Antwerp. After arriving in Antwerp, we simply walked a few steps to the other side of the platform to board the waiting train for Bruges. The return trip was just as painless, with the train bound for Amsterdam waiting as we arrived.

Although my total time spent in Antwerp could not have been more than ten or fifteen minutes, I have to give this a “worth visiting”.