North Hollywood’s Amsterdam Cafe appears cozy and inviting. the front window is framed with sexy red neon lights, and you can see a small well lit stage with a microphone, for live events. Inside, you find a comfortable living room setting dominated by two love seats, coffee tables, and five or six small tables and chairs.  The tall ceilings and tile floors contribute to the pleasant acoustics. the style is East Indian, with draped fabrics, in hues of marigold, paprika, cocoa, and ginger. the lighting is in small pools throughout. the stage is small, enough for a guitar and bongo drums, but well lit, and the sound system is clean and clear.  Though this NoHo cafe seems small at first, it is nevertheless deep; you find that there are two cozy lounges to the rear.

•  Menu  •

The three-panel menu features espressos, coffees, teas, hot chocolates, as well as cold beverages such as frappuccinos, iced lattes, incredible smoothies to die for, Italian sodas, and a good variety of appetizers such as chicken wings, nachos, chili, and more.  Are you hungry?  You’ll enjoy breakfast items (from 9:30 – 11:30am) like bagels, ham & cheese bagels, and breakfast croissants.  All hours you can have sandwiches, including toasty paninis.

All the fare is healthy at the Amsterdam Cafe; no sugary sodas and junk, all fresh, high quality ingredients, from the deep dark chocolate to the fresh and fruity drinks that tantalize your taste buds.

The staff is very friendly, efficient, and forthcoming.  They craft any item, beverage or edible morsels, to your liking, with tender loving care. it takes a little longer because they’re not slapping things together. the results are in the tasting, the coffees are perfect in every way, the smoothies taste like fresh fruit with a straw stuck in it, the sandwiches are perfectly balanced on fresh toasty breads, served with chips. the prices are very reasonable.

Free Wi-fi is offered for any $4 purchase, good for four hours;  additional hours only a buck each. You could hang out here all day long, if you want to.

•  The Hookah Experience  •

Hookah lounges are a new rage in Southern California, and the Amsterdam does it right.  The hookahs are artfully designed, and are kept clean and sanitized.  Usually enjoyed by small groups, each participant gets his or her own hose, with disposable mouthpiece, and proceeds to the rear lounges to enjoy them.  There are around thirty flavors of “Shisha”, to choose from.  Some guests prefer to mix and match the various flavors, to find the blend that’s right for them. the comfortable hookah lounge is actually out doors, but it’s hard to notice that, as the room is screened and tented with good ventilation, and indoor-style mood lighting.

•  On Stage  •

Open mic nights feature music, poetry, stand-up comedy, in a relaxed atmosphere.  Some nights you will find Dori Marler and a group of seasoned poets. on Wednesdays Pauline Williams may bring you “Hollywood Stories” storytellers.

The Amsterdam Cafe is a welcome addition to the burgeoning NOHO Arts District.  For a cozy, relaxing, hip, enjoyable experience, check out the Amsterdam Cafe.

10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood  CA 91601

Mon-Thu 9:30am-11:30pm;

http://www.amsterdamcafenoho.com

<a href="http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=354:amsterdam-cafe-cozy-hip-enjoyable&Itemid=221tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_k2″>Amsterdam Cafe – Cozy, Hip & Enjoyable