Sort of. It was patchy. At least it wasn't raining.
We pass this big Japanese Cherry several times a week while running, but yesterday Katie and I walked the outer wall of Den Bosch for a change. We soaked up Sunday's last bit of sunlight to cap off a pleasantly quiet weekend. More pictures from this walk, as well as other pictures I've taken in the NL can be found in my Facebook album here. Apparently it adds the latest photos to the end of the album.
Another weekend highlight was our Saturday night dinner with some friends at De Pino, an Italian restaurant just around the corner from our apartment. This charming little establishment is quite cozy - a kitchen plus a kitchen-sized dining room separated by narrow register/bar - as there seemed to be room for only 20-30 people. Upon walking in the front door you are practically in the kitchen, so we were immediately greeted by richly seasoned aromas of tomatoes, garlic, onions...I could go on but it's difficult to type on drool-covered keys.
For appetizer we had a dish highly recommended by friends, present company included, that can really only be described as "goat cheese heaven." I could have gone home and died a happy man just after finishing this divine dish of fresh French bread bathing in baked and shredded geitenkaas. As delicious as it was simple, the crisp yet fluffy bread made a perfect carbo-complement to the subtle sour creaminess of its goat cheese bath. Oh, to be that bread...
For an entree I tried the meat lasagna. This dish can be dangerous: I've seen blocks of cheese the size of your head, slabs of pasta overflowing the plate, etc. But this portion was well-controlled and creatively served in a short, walled dish, similar to the appetizer. This meant the lasagna itself could actually sit in ADDITIONAL tomato-cream sauce. Brilliant! Once the straight-from-the-oven heat dissipated I made quick work of this more modest-a pasta. Heavy on the tomatoes and herbs and more controlled with the cheese and meat, it was a well-balanced harmony of ingredients.
No sooner had my friend across the table (who had had the cannelloni) and I found ourselves in the similar predicament of having excess sauce then our waitress appeared bearing more French bread with garlic butter so mouthwateringly fresh, it was practically sprouting roots.
De Pino, your close proximity will doubtless become a blessing and a curse.
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