Ambar is a world traveler pur sang, a food addict and a social person. She won’t eat anything she can’t make herself. She shares her favorite food city: Montréal.

One of my favorite places, which is underrated by so many, deserves a mention. I have never seen this city in somebody’s top 5 list of places to go and will take this opportunity to share this friendly “European” like city across the Atlantic Ocean. I’m not talking about San Fran, but about Montréal. I spent a summer here and discovered a lot of beautiful places. Especially Old-Montréal, where huge old warehouses have been renovated into luxurious apartments, offices, shops and restaurants. The authentic feeling has been retained in Cluny, a lunchroom in a renovated factory where they serve fantastic sandwiches. A must visit if you’re a sucker for architecture.

Montréal offers a lot of diversity in cuisine, as a result of the immigrants who came to Canada. Order French style homemade Valrhona chocolate brioche to go from cozy Olive Et Gourmando, after a run at the Old Port of Montréal. Awesome Italian food can be found in Little Italy, but my friends took me to this fancy place, DaEmma. A classic Italian decorated cellar, where I was fortunate enough to have a taste of Emma’s antipasti and some of the best fettuccini with Porcini I’ve tasted. For less “fancy” go explore Chinatown and try the chicken Bahn Mi with finger licking coriander mayo at Hoang Oanh or a 50s joint called Schwartz in Plateau du Montroyal for the best Hebrew smoked beef ever. The wait in line is worth it. Just like putting Montréal on your list of cities to visit!

An Indian experience in the heart of Amsterdam. Mayur is the place to go for fun, casual dining and eating not so regular Indian dishes. It’s a unique experience, for Indian food lovers or for your first introduction to this delightful kitchen. All the spices, the Indian oven and the recipes are authentic and from India, but created in a contemporary atmosphere. Are you reluctant to try? Indian Food is not about eating, it’s about spending quality time together, enjoying the treatments of life. canteenM Amsterdam also serves dishes from Mayur.

Upcoming hype: canteens. Whether this trend came from Montréal, where they renovated old warehouses and buildings into fancy looking restaurants and canteens, we’ re not sure, but it is happening all over the world. Of course we are not talking about the old-fashioned canteens where they put dirty looking food on your plate; these are fancy interiors with cozy atmospheres and quality food. In Amsterdam two of these canteens opened up recently; Rosa en Rita and De Stadskantine. Simple and tasty food, small selection and friendly staff and visitors. The idea is that you can have a cheap, healthy meal, on your own or with friends. The long tables invite you to sit with strangers and start a conversation. Easygoing and approachable trendy canteens definitely worth visiting.

Did you already visit canteenM, the restaurant shop in our hotels?

Waiting at airports is a necessary evil you can’t avoid. But it can be made more comfortable. Schiphol Amsterdam Airport recently opened its airport park. This is the first airport park worldwide where passengers can relax, work and even go outside! The use of mixed reality completes the feeling of being outside: you can hear birds sing. The Airport Park is a green environment to unwind from all the rush, and prepare your flight as you chill. Fun factor: charge your cell phone while cycling on one of the Park’s bikes!

Not a vegetarian but looking for a tasty meat substitute? Hard to believe it exists, right? There actually is a Dutch initiative, called De Vegetarische Slager – the vegetarian butcher. Here you find products with a taste very similar to the meat version, but made of plants, vegetables and nuts. The ingredient lupine provides the magic in all this. The shop is established in The Hague, but you can also find a sales point nearby or buy online. Who said being a vegetarian is for tasteless people?