De groene olifant

Sarphatistraat 510, Amsterdam, Netherlands

De Groene Olifant sits in the middle of the Plantagebuurt, right between Artis and the Tropenmuseum. It's an eetcafé with a sun-drenched terrace where you can do proper Bourgondisch things like drink good wine, try some specialty beers, and order bitterballen or a full cheese board. You know, the essentials. The menu is a Dutch-French mix with a twist, and there's always something for everyone: vegetarian, meat, or fish. They try to source from local Amsterdam entrepreneurs as much as possible, so you're eating stuff that didn't travel across the planet to get to your plate. During the week it's dinner, on weekends they also do lunch. What makes this place stand out is that it's part of the Regenbooggroep, a collective of eight hospitality spots that support a foundation making sure there's room in the city for everyone, rich or poor. They've organized Christmas dinners for homeless and lonely Amsterdammers and collect clothing donations. If you have men's clothes or shoes lying around…