Sweet dreams

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat is my favorite strolling street in Amsterdam—five short blocks, spanning three canals. It is packed with art galleries, antiques, and good eats. It’s also the epicenter of deliciousness when it comes to sweets. 

First there is Vanroselen Fine Chocolates, a purveyor of chocolates with unique bars, and a case of homemade bonbons. They are the sole supplier in all of Holland of Chocolat Bonnat. Chocolat Bonnat is a Paris chocolatier, in business since 1884, and by far my favorite over-the-counter chocolate bars in the world_—with only DudeSweet Chocolate sharing honors. Well worth a visit to this tiny shop of wonders.

Last summer, Sumsum, a shop specializing in halva, opened right across the street from Vanroselen. Sumsum has mastered creating the richest, creamiest, most flavorful tahini-based confection you’ll ever experience. They greet you at the door with nuggets of samples, letting you wash down the bites with one of their specialty teas. With over 30 different halvas, you can stand there for a long time enjoying the bliss that only fresh halva provides. My favorite is the pistachio.

And now, in the past month, Al Nyhaya, a shop labeling itself as “Sweet Art,” opened right next to Vanroselen. It’s a perfect triangle of sweet dreams. Al Nyhaya  features middle Eastern pastries that are stacked in enticing pyramids, glistening with honey, redolent of nuts and crispy filo twisted into delicate bird’s nest. They even sell the plump, perfect Medjool dates that my son Lex and I failed to locate in Egypt on our last visit, despite scouring every food market we could find. 

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat was at the top of my list even before the addition of Al Nyhaya, now it is pure confectionary dreams.

All store photos are mine, happily snapped while strolling and tasting. Street photo: Who’s Denilo ?