Today, Amsterdam has 3 different Ron Gastrobar's. From colonial Indonesian, classic French to modern Asian. At Ron Gastrobar on Sophialaan, they cook French with a Michelin star. On Kerkstraat, enjoy Oriental dishes at Ron Gastrobar Oriental. And on the Rokin, eat fine Indonesian dishes at Ron Gastrobar Downtown at a great height with a view of the city.
FIRST TIME IN AMSTERDAM
"When I was 14, I took the train from Hoorn to Amsterdam to buy clothes at CoolCat and find the latest disco albums. That was the late 1970s, the time of squatters and riots. Many neighborhoods were a no go. Very exciting at that age."
FIRST JOB IN AMSTERDAM
"At Restaurant the Cherry Garden at Hotel Bilderberg. Back then with a Michelin star. Many of today's top chefs learned the trade there."
SECRET PLACE
"I'd rather not tell so it doesn't become a hot spot. Nothing like a place where you can enjoy yourself in peace, where you know the people and they know you."
MOST BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOOD
"The Jordaan. The neighborhood around the Lindegracht and restaurant Toscanini, that for me is the real Amsterdam."
PARK
"The Amsterdam Forest. Three times bigger than Central Park in New York. On a warm day, it never feels crowded. You can walk, run, bike and even ride horses there."
MONUMENT
"Rokin Fountain by artist Mark Manders on the Rokin in front of Scheltema bookstore. A massive block of two connected heads with a waterfall in between."
RESTAURANT
"With my son, I love coming to the Japanese restaurant Sapporo on Scheldt Street. He loves the salmon from the plate. I see him really enjoying it. When I prepare salmon for him at home on the grill, it's different for him anyway."
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS
"That's very simple: Ajax! The excitement of going to an Ajax soccer match at the Johan Cruijff Arena is too crazy to experience with your children. It's just a way of life."
ARCHITECTURE
"I love Hotel The Grand in the heart of the city and the University Quarter on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. It is an important historical monument. Built as a monastery in the year 1411. From 1808 to 1987 the City Hall sat there. There is a beautiful courtyard with garden you can enjoy a moment of peace and quiet."
ART
"My good friend Selwyn Senatori. He is an exceptional Dutch-Italian neo-popart artist. His art is about the secrets of happiness. He reflects the quality of life. In his paintings you see pure pleasure symbolizing the true essence of life. He inspires me in my projects. In creating locations where people enjoy and forget the daily sorrows for a moment."
PLACE TO RELAX
"Cruising down the Amstel River. It's a lush green waterway just outside the city. A paradise for rowers. You see people fishing and picnicking there. The Amstel has inspired many Dutch artists, including Rembrandt, Breitner and Mondrian."
FAVORITE AMSTERDAMMER
"Eberhard van der Laan. A mayor who was loved and respected by all Amsterdammers. Like no other, he understood our city and its challenges. He had the ability to connect and serve as the best ambassador of the Dutch capital.
