GATEWAY DINER - AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN HOLLAND

Last Sunday I was biking through my town and all of a sudden I stood face to face with an original American Diner. Hidden in the middle of a park close to the centre of Almere. The Diner dates back to the late 40s and it's original place was Philipsburg, NJ. at the border of Pennsylvania & New Jersey in a Philipsburg was the gateway between those 2 States that's why they called it the Gateway Diner.

The legend was that the Rolling Stones ate here in the 1970's and raved about its authentic 'Jersey "diner culture". This was probably a stopping-off point between gigs in NYC and Philadelphia.

After some wandering around through Germany, the Gateway Diner opened it's door in 2010 at it's present location Beatrix Park, Almere. Finally I found my place to get that American Experience and sip on a original made Milkshake......I'll be back. (most pics are mine except the first & last ones) 

HACKETT FITS PERFECT IN IT'S NEW JACKET

I had the pleasure to visit the brand new showroom of Hackett in The Netherlands. Recently they moved from Amsterdam to Haarlem, situated in a monumental building from the 1890's, with it's original ornaments. The collection is divided over 3 rooms with each it's own atmosphere. Starting with the tailored collection called Mayfair. Then there is a room for the Aston Martin & Cooper collection. The Cooper collection is a collaboration with the Cooper family (indeed the ones from Mini Cooper) nowadays they are making bicycles. The Cooper collection is sophisticated and functional. The largest part of the main-floor is reserved for the Hackett Casual collection. This room is extended with a conservatory. Club blazers, fair-isle's, cricket sweaters and bow-ties, you named it and you find it in this area. Last but not least the accessory room, this room is one big suitcase packed with shoes, from espadrilles till Belgian loafers, bags, cufflinks and much more. Thanks to the nice staff it was a great experience to see the world of Mr. Classic