Saint Joseph Market in Sittard

This annual market in Sittard traditionally takes place on March 19th in Sittard’s Saint Joseph’s market square – the same large market square that hosts most all of Sittard’s events.

The Saint Joseph (Joep) market is quite well known in the greater tri-border region not only because it’s the first annual fair of the year, but it’s also the biggest in the Netherlands and has been going on for more than 200 years.

You will find more than 5 kilometers of sprawling things for sale in a fun environment with lots of food. It is crowded, so do show up early to get a good parking spot. The market goes from 0800-1800 on 19 March at the Sittard market square and beyond. Many of the local coffee shops and restaurants will open early for this event. (Bagels and Beans will be open)

Sittard ‘s Kinderoptocht – Carnival Children’s Parade

This Sunday, 7 February, at 1333 this year’s Children’s Carnival Parade will begin in Sittard.  If you have kids, GO!  It’s a lot of fun and the costumes and makeup are absolutely amazing!  If you’re a fan of Bagels and Beans, YES, they will be open.  That’s a great place to stand and watch the parade as well. 

Tifnotes version: If you have elementary school age kids, dress them up in their Halloween or Carnival costumes, pack a bag of confetti, silly string, or curly streamers to throw, and go to the Kinderoptocht in Sittard on the last Sunday before the Carnival season officially starts. Park in lots or nearby streets avoiding areas with the “verdunning hounders” sign. Pack drinks and snacks if you’d like or warm up with delicious hot chocolate or coffee at Bagels and Beans or Die Twee. Check the website above for dates closer to the next Carnival, but do go. It is a lot of fun! Oh, and don’t forget your camera! The photo-ops are fantastic!

Full version (where I ramble on a bit more): One week before the big Carnival parties start, Sittard has a special parade for the children. Winding through the old streets around the old market square, this parade will be enjoyed by your entire family. For almost two hours costumed groups travel along the parade route passing out treats, singing, playing music, and entertaining the crowds. Just the costumes and makeup alone make this a very special parade, but knowing that it’s a children’s parade during this season is nice too making it a family event that the kids will enjoy. Both in the parade and on the streets you’ll find people of all ages from infants sleeping in their decorated strollers to grandmothers and grandfathers with painted faces and silly hats. Among the crowds of spectators most all children are dressed in costumes and more then half the adults have on a hat, boa, or other colorful accessory.

Go a little early if you want parking in a parking lot. If you’re running late, park on the side streets, but look for signs that say ” verdunning hounders.” This means “for residents only,” so you will be ticketed if you park there.

The parade winds down the last half of Putstraat, turns just in front of Bagels and Beans, then circles back to the market, so we stood near Bagels and Beans (which just so happens to have delicious coffee and hot chocolate drinks in to go cups) and watched the parade from there. The crowds were big, but not horrible at that spot and it’s easy to turn and catch the last half of the parade again as it winds back to the market behind you.

The Dutch kids were well armed with silly string and armfuls of confetti and curly streamers. My girls would have loved that as well. So, now you know. Bring those things and it will just add to the fun. We saw plenty of tubas walking by thoroughly covered in silly string and even the police car wasn’t exempt from the decoration. The atmosphere is one of fun and is a perfect family event.

The website (only in Dutch) has information on the parade with times, the route, and photos of past parades dating back to the 1920′s. The Dutch word for parade is optocht, so the Groteoptocht link will get you to the information for the large parade that they have during the Carnival week itself. If you want more information on the Kinderoptocht (Children’s parade), click on that link for the route and photos of past children’s parades as well.

This year the parade was held on January 27, the Sunday before the Women’s Day, at 1333.

http://www.optocht-sittard.nl/HTML_content/1200_Introductie.htm

TR&TA! Sushi and Fish in Sittard

TR&TA
Voorstad 30
6131CR Sittard
Tel: 0031-046-45-29-503
Web: http://www.resto-trenta.nl
Open: Mon, Wed-Sat 1100-2200; Sun 1600-2200 (Shopping Sundays opens at 1100)
Closed on Tuesdays

Delicious!! This is the best Sushi place I’ve been to in a while. Close to the market in Sittard with plenty of parking nearby, TR&TA satisfied my sushi craving and will bring me back for more. The atmosphere is fantastic – modern and clean, classy and elegant. Beautiful water fountains and a nice fireplace with couches around it. The service was excellent and the food – amazing.

The menu has both hot fish dishes and sushi and though we stuck with the sushi menu, all the dishes that came by us looked absolutely beautiful. They definitely do presentation well.

The bites in the photo were a free sample brought to us before our meal – a special treat for Valentine’s weekend. Tasty and a nice touch.

The saffron soup (saffraansoep met roodbaarsfilet) was light, creamy, flavorful, and delicious. It wet my appetite without spoiling it.

I had the Catarratto – medium white wine. Light, delicious. Not dry nor sweet. Excellent with my meal.

We ordered the 16 piece Sashimi Menu and the TR&TA 20 piece sushi menu and split it. It was enough for two very hungry adults. There were a few rolls on the sushi menu, but mostly sashimi, large strips of fish without rice, and a delicious avocado cone. Everything was wonderful. The salmon especially had a spectacular flavor that almost temped us into ordering more. My only gripe is that I could have used a bit more ginger, but I could have asked for more and I’m sure they would have brought it. Beware of the wasabi. It’s good, but hotter than most I’ve had before, so a little goes a long way!

For dessert we ordered the chocolademousse – three mounds of chocolate mousse with a light vanilla sauce and some crunchy dessert wafers on top. The cappuccinos are as amazing as the rest of the menu.

Will I go there again? Definitely. Service, atmosphere, food… all excellent. And, the prices really aren’t as bad as I expected. The drinks aren’t inflated like many restaurants, so although the 20 piece plate cost 24.50, the total bill with appetizers and dessert was far less than meals at other restaurants.

Location – near the market square, but on a regular road, there is street side parking, but there are also two huge parking lots (free ones) just a couple blocks away. If you’re standing in the market and walk down the pedestrian street that is on the other side of the square from the V&D – walk all the way down that street until you reach a real road. You’ll see Thai Garden. TR&TA is just a couple blocks down from Thai Garden on the left.

Societea – lunch in Sittard

Reader Recommendation…

“There’s a delicious lunch place in Sittard that I wasn’t sure if you’d tried…Societea. Lovely tea room with delicious soups, sandwiches as well as big food. They offer a high tea which I’ve tried and don’t recommend- 16E for not a lot of food, but the rest of the menu is really reasonable. The desserts look like heaven and all the tea and coffee is served with a chocolate truffle and a shot of whipped cream drizzled with caramel. That sold me on the place!”

Societea & More
Molenbeekstraat 6-10
6131 EG Sittard
046-4513427

Hours:
Mon: 10.00-20.00
Tues – Sat: 9.00-20.00
Thurs: 0900-21.00
Sun: 10.00 – 20.00 (sales Sundays only)

http://www.societea.nl/Pages/index.aspx

Time to Train! Kennedy March, Sittard

Here’s the challenge: Walk 50 miles in 20 hours.
Why? To prove JFK wrong, initially. And now, because it might just be fun.

“The Sittard Kennedy March came into existence in 1963 when the American president John F.Kennedy spoke the words “I think most American people are so weak, they can’t even walk fifty miles within 20 hours”. At many places people tried to prove that these words didn’t apply to them. In Sittard, four highschool students started the first Kennedy March. It developed into a tradition. In 2007 the number of participants was 3326.”

http://www.kennedymars.org/index.php?lan=en

This year it will be held on 11 April 2009. It begins and ends in Sittard.

Simla Indian Restaurant – Sittard

I haven’t had Indian food since London and I’d love to find something a little closer. Having said that, I am really pinging now for some nan and good tandoori… would love to have a little place just down the road. This place looks good… anyone know how the food is? Try it and pass along a review…

Simla
Stationstraat 17; Sittard, NL
Tel: 0031-046-452-1263
Web: www.Simla.nl
Open: Wed-Sun from 1700 and Mon-Tues by reservation only for groups of 8 or more.
*menus, pricing, and other information all available at the website.

Dolly Dimples

Dolly Dimples Irish Pub and Grillhouse

Putstraat 30
6131 HL Sittard
http://www.dollydimples.nl/

Parking: Dolly Dimples is located on Putstraat which stems from the market square and is the same street that Bagel’s and Beans is on. Park in one of the lots surrounding the market area and walk. There is a close parking area off the main road just before you read Putstraat that is convenient, but fills quickly. As always, DO NOT park anywhere in the NL where it says, “Vergunning Hounders.” This means “for residents only” and you will get ticketed if you park there.

Atmosphere: Dim lighting, dark woods, photographs and sports paraphernalia on the walls, this place has all the ambiance of an old pub. The music was nice and the service was excellent.

Food Price/Portions: The portions are decent, but not huge, so after a starter, a meal, and part of a dessert, I was full, but not miserably stuffed. All the entrees come with fries and vegetables. The prices are higher than average. Most desserts are close to 6 Euro. The entrees range from 12 – 24 Euro unless you want the challenge of the 1 kilo steak at 49 Euros.

Kid Friendly: Yes. It’s a noisy place especially on the weekends, so kid noise won’t bother your neighbors. There is a kids menu as well.

Starters
-Irish Loaf (Reader Recommendation – RR)
Irish lake grains bread with garlic butter

-Caesar Salad (RR)
Classic Caesar salad with chicken, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing

- Wintertime salad (RR)
A delicious duck salad (photograph on right) with pine nuts, greens, red bell peppers, and a light mildly spicy dressing.

Main Courses
-Limerick (RR)
Grilled veal stuffed with crab meat, served with a
lobster sauce (This was good, but didn’t have the impact that I expected from the combination of ingredients. Just not a lot of flavor. Photograph on below.)

-Dolly’s Ribs (RR)
Unlimited spareribs Dolly’s way served with delicious sauces

-On Tuesdays there are all-you-can-eat gambas (shrimp)

-Molly Malone’s Favorite (RR)
Shrimp in a delicious, highly flavorful sauce. Would order again.

Sittard Market – Thurs and Sat

Sittard Weekly outdoor market

Markt, Sittard

What: It’s a market with everything you need and a little bit more. Go on Thursday and you’ll get it all: fresh produce, breads, meats and fish, flowers, more fabrics then Hobby Lobby, bulbs in the spring, hot waffles in the winter, clothing including great tights for kids, and CHEESE! It’s all great and the flower prices are amazing. If you sew, you want to go look at the fabrics. It’s also great for curtains – there is a wonderful curtain guy that is always there. Seasonal things like strawberries and asparagus will be beautiful. Plants are nice and the prices are very competitive.

Cheese: The cheese is amazing – you won’t find a large variety of French cheeses (for those, you need to go to the cheese guy in Geilenkirchen on Fridays), but for gouda, you’ll be well-stocked. My favorite cheese guy is the nice guy at Rote Peet’s – the only place that I’ve found that has pesto gouda. It’s bright green, but delicious. They also have a seasonal cheese called Graas Kaas. It’s made from the first milking after the cows come out in the spring and start eating grass. Try it. It’s delicious and soft. My youngest can’t get enough of it. Any cheese guy will tell you about them and give you samples. You just have to ask. If you go to Rote Peet’s, save your receipts. You’ll get free cheese with 50E of purchases.

On Saturdays, you won’t find the fabrics or as many plants – it’s just a day for the basics – fresh cheese, produce, fish, and fresh cut flowers.

When: Thursday is the big one, Saturday is the small one. They are both open from about 0800 until 1330.

Where: In Sittard’s Marktplatz.

Directions: From Geilenkirchen, take the B56 west towards Sittard until it ends. You’ll drive through Gillrath, Stahe, Ganglet, Susterseel, and Wehr. When the road ends, turn left. There is a parking lot about a block down on the right where you can pay to park ahead of time. Then you’ll walk down the narrow ally to Putstraat, then follow Putstraat all the way down to the left and you’ll run into the market. If this lot is full, then follow the road to the second signal and turn right. You’ll come to a signal. Turning right will lead you to a more expensive and overly crowded lot. To the left, you’ll find an underground garage (closes as 10pm), and by going straight, you’ll see signs for the ABC (a right turn into a parking garage). From any place, follow the church towers or the crowds and you’ll find the market. From anywhere else, if you’re new to the area, put Putstraat into your GPS and you’ll get in the area. From there, you can find parking.

WARNING: Do not park anywhere in the Netherlands if the sign says “Verdunning Hounders” (I’m sure I’ve spelled that wrong, but you get the idea). This means “for residents only,” so if you park there, you will get a ticket – any where from 50-300Euro depending on the area.

Bargain examples: Silk/pashmina scarves for 3 Euro, 3 pairs of pants for 10E, 4 quarts of strawberries for only 3 Euro (not each, total price), 4 pineapples for 2 Euro, 12 apples for 2 Euro, two quarts of seedless grapes for only 3 Euro, 5 lavender plants in 5″ pots for only 5 Euros total.

This is where a lot of the Spanish and Italians buy their fish.

Hungry? The market is surrounded by cafe/restaurants. Pick one. Or, go to Bagels and Beans on Putstraat for a little taste of home. If it’s snowing, I’d vote for the fresh hot waffle at the stand. They are gooey and messy, but hot and delicious too!

Gymnastics Classes

Reader Recommendation…

Turncentrum Turning Point
Economiestraat 8b
6135 KV Sittard
Tel: (0031) 0630-495045
Email: info@turningpoint.demon.nl
Website: www.turningpointsittard.nl

Not only do I know of an American family whose children take classes here, but one of my Dutch friends took classes here for years and highly recommends it. The website isn’t as easy to navigate as some and though this next years schedule is up, it will take talking to someone to figure out what class is best for you or your child. Still, a quick call or email should do the trick. The staff are friendly and able to answer all your questions in English.

Cost: The first month’s cost of 30 Euros includes the membership fee. The second and subsequent months are 15 Euros. The little ones ages 3 and older meet on Saturday mornings from 1030 – 1200. There’s a class on Tuesday evenings as well for the older children 6 and older. Try up to two classes for free.

Movie Theaters: Foroxity

Foroxity Filmarena
Rijksweg-Noord 330
6162 AR, Geleen-Sittard
046-4363300
http://www.foroxity.nl/

Thinking about moving to Germany, one of the thoughts that crossed our minds was: movies. Would we be able to see the new releases that came out just after we left the states? Would we be able to see them in English before they hit the base theaters?

The happy answer is: YES!

Many (sadly, not all) American films are shown in The Netherlands in their original versions (OV), meaning in English with Dutch subtitles. The Foroxity Filmarena in Sittard is only about 35 minutes from Geilenkirchen. It’s clean, AIR-CONDITIONED, has a nice restaurant, and shows some great movies. (Foroxity is a great hot day hangout.)

IMPORTANT: When looking up movies on the website, pay attention to the OV or NL next to the title. If there is no lettering, it’s most likely the original American version. If it says, OV, it will be in the original version as well. But, if it says NL, then it’s going to be dubbed into Dutch, so unless you speak Dutch, you don’t want to go to that one.

Website tip: If you want to see what is coming up in the next couple months that is not released yet here, click on “Verwacht” in the lower right hand column. There you will see months and dates as it gets closer of new releases. Some movies (not all) have special opening night deals.

Reservations: For popular movies (like Harry Potter and Batman), you’ll want to get your tickets in advance. You can order them online, but the site is in Dutch, so it’s slightly tricky. Call 0031-046-4363300 to reserve tickets over the phone or you can go online and order here. This site (http://www.belbios.nl/) will show you the premiers that are coming up.

We were even able to see the new Harry Potter movie the night it was released a full 6 hours of the East Coast!

When you plan your time around a movie here, add an hour to be safe. There will be an intermission. Longer movies sometimes have two. It’s irritating at first, but you’ll get used to it and it gives you a chance to use the facilities or get another cappuccino, beer, or snack. Yes, beer. They serve alcohol at the Foroxity and at the Harry Potter premier, they even served free alcoholic “potions.”

If you have GPS and Foroxity doesn’t show up, the Roxy theater entry will get you there. When you get to that main road, just look for the large theater and signs to Foroxity. There’s been a lot of construction, so it can be confusing and some GPS have no idea where they are.

If you have time for the restaurant, the food is good. I like the Insalata de Copa (recipe below). My daughter loves the bitterballen – a Dutch appetizer. They are deep fried balls filled with something gooey inside almost like gravy. They sound disgusting and don’t look much better, but they do taste great.

The ingredient list/recipe for Insalata de Copa:

Romaine or lettuce of choice
Diced green, red, and yellow bell peppers
Diced cucumber
Mozzerella shredded
Honeydew melon chunked
Parma Ham or prosciutto in thin slices

Mix all and drizzle with balsalmic vinegrette.