7 questions x Samuel Levie of Brandt & Levie sausages
When I think of Brandt & Levie, I think of beautiful moments with friend on a terrace or in a bar. The guys behind these tasty sausages are 30-somethings like me who followed their dreams. Making great sausages for a living!
In this Sunday 7 Your Little Black Book talks to Samuel Levie (31) about his Amsterdam. He’s a sausage maker and political scientist. The one day he wears a white butcher coat and the other day he’s behind his desk. He started the sausage business a bit over 3 years ago with his friends Geert en Jiri. And I can’t imagine missing those delicious B&L sausages on the bar bite menu in Amsterdam anymore!
Brandt & Levie moved the butcher shop to the Houthavens in Amsterdam West. And thanks to a successful crowd-funding campaign we can also visit their Worstatelier for workshops and tastings this spring.
Perfect Sunday…
“On a perfect Sunday I go out for breakfast. Reading a newspaper or Vrij Nederland enjoying the fact of an empty agenda and no obligations. No meetings, no plans. I usually end up at Brouwerij ‘t IJ for a drink before having dinner at my moms house with the whole family.”
Most beautiful spot?
“Impossible to answer, but I have to say that I’m in love with Amsterdam when I stand at the ferry to Amsterdam North.”
East West, Home Best
“I love East. I grew up there and after a few years at De Pijp and South I live there again. I like to hang out at the spots of the guys of De Biertuin. For veggies and other food for a nice home cooked meal I always go to Halal e Gida! Those brothers sell the best fresh veggies and fruits and it’s so much cheaper than the supermarket. Go there!
Finally, I can’t talk about East without mentioning Rijsel. Iwan was one of my first Chefs, he’s a king! And everyone who had dinner at Rijsel before knows that Pieter is one of the best hosts in Amsterdam.”
Dreams, dreams, dreams
“We would love to open our own butcher shop that people can actually visit. And perhaps a restaurant next to the butcher shop. We love to get people involved with our work. I think it’s realistic this dream will come true one day!”
And at Yourlbb we know for sure that this dream will come true! The crowd-fund campaign for the project was successful and next spring we can enjoy this new hotspot in West :-).
Gets hungry from…
“My fav dish? … think think think..
Can’t really tell! But I have to admit I really love the ‘brandade’ of Iwan at Rijsel. Hot salty cod, potato and lots of oliv oil. Crispy and super warm. When I want to be surprised about good food I go to Joris Bijdendijk. Always different and always very good!”
Dinner abroad…
“In de Wulf (Ghent), Kobe is a great chef and almost the Noma of Flanders. Another spot that I always go back to is st Johns in London. Simple food, but made to perfection.”
Bucket-list
“Sometimes I regret that I never took the time to travel the world. It might sound a bit cliché, but it’s something I want to do. Someday! Getting out of my comfort zone for a while. Or expanding Brandt & Levie to New York one day.”
If the last thing will ever happen of course you read about it on Your Little Black Book as soon as the news is out ;-).
Tip: You can follow Samuel on Twitter via @samuellevie, @worstmakers and @foodcabinet. Rather on Instagram? Check @samuellevie. And keep a close watch on brandtenlevie.nl for updates about the new Worstatelier!
Favourite Tracks
Samuels fav tracks at the moment of the interview are:
>> Check out more Sunday 7 stories and discover the Amsterdam favs >>
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Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
⋙ Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
⋙ A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
⋙ The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ MOCO Museum for street art
⋙ Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
⋙ Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Red Light District tour
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>
Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
☾ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
☾ Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>
