Mister NATA — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Mornings in Central Amsterdam are understated, streets are yet to be wandered through and visitors seemingly don't developed a sense of purpose before 10AM. This particular mid-June morning was wonderfully damp with light rain that washed the night gone, the weekend introducing itself with subdued enthusiasm. I made yet another random but instinctive turn, and the sole audible industry was of a young woman placing seating outdoors, I check my watch it's 9:01, what she is selling is likely fresh. I'm walking with pace but with no direction, maybe it's as good a time as any to appreciate a moment. I scan inside, my favorite, pastels de nata, what an ideal way to savor the present. In absolute no rush, who in Amsterdam is, I sit and admire the smell of fresh pastries and the droplets tumbling down the street-facing bay window. A local parks her bicycle outside and enters, it's unknown if she encountered a conveniently cozy space or if her scheduled day includes a visit here. Other details of the curated cafe begin to present themselves, fresh flowers, the warmth of wood furnishings against white walls, so I offer my verbal appreciation to Ceres as she delivers the day's breakfast, a traditional pastel de nata, a Portuguese pastry that I've enjoyed countless times, and a much-needed-after-last-night espresso to warm the chest and fuel my pacing. What inspired this essay was the best pastel de nata that I have ever bit into, the perfect ratio of flakiness and carmelised custard that exists, the new standard. What began as a physical respite turned into an emotional event, and an urge developed to write to Lisbon to inform them that the bar has been raised. Upon leaving I noticed that a half-dozen variations of these golden tarts were available, so I took three to go regretting that my shameful conscience prevented me from trying every variant. So I have to return, it's now a landmark of my Amsterdam, and I wish Mr. Nata all the deserved...

I spent the summer Portugal. I am addicted to Pastel de Nata. I ate them in Geres, Lisbon, Lagos, Faro, Loulé and anywhere I could. From local bakeries to hip coffee bars. Always delicious. Back home in Amsterdam I was strolling the Berenstraat when I saw Mister Nata. My girlfriend, knowing that I am a lover, if not a connaisseur, of these pastries rushed to by me one. In the window they looked perfect. Enter Big Disappointment. Firstly, you had to buy TWO for €7.50 !!, (the website says €6.50 for two as I discovered later). The price is very high but if the product is exceptional then it is justified. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Pastel de Nata should be creamy with a hint of lemon, vanilla and cinnamon. These had no hint of anything but had a strange, bitter taste that lived free in my mind for ages. Like bad oil maybe or rancid butter. Absolutely not what I hoped for and definitely not for that price. Summary: very, very...

Expanded Text: "During a leisurely stroll through Amsterdam's enchanting streets, I discovered a delightful little pastry shop that immediately caught my eye. As a devoted admirer of the Portuguese pastel de nata, having savored countless versions, including the legendary Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon, I couldn't resist indulging in their offering. The pastry was a triumph, perfectly capturing the delicate custard and flaky crust that I've come to adore. But what truly surprised me was the quality of their coffee. My latte was exceptionally smooth and flavorful, a perfect complement to the sweet treat. The shop itself had a charming ambiance, and the service was warm and welcoming. It's a hidden gem that I...