My Dutch friends took me on a day trip to the rustic lakeside village of Volendam, famous for a small, quirky portion of its populace who still adhere to wearing traditional Dutch clothing. We stopped for lunch at the Fuego Bar & Grill, a classy, upscale pub around the corner from the boardwalk, where vendors peddle classic Dutch kitsch such as wooden shoes, traditional costume photography, postcards and other tourist bait (although the almost-next-door Cheese Factory Volendam and attached museum is absolutely worth the price of admission; you will not walk away with out a few wedges!).
While not exactly traditional Dutch cuisine (the menu is similar to an American seafood and steakhouse, with some regional European flair), the steaks here were juicy and cooked to order, and to perfection. Salad was crisp and not drowned in dressing, and fries were thick, steak-cut and golden brown.
While you won't get any adventure points for branching out and trying something new and exotic, you will have a hard time finding a better restaurant in Volendam. read more