"FOR years, Herenstraat and Prinsenstraat, contiguous narrow streets near the tip of Amsterdam’s downtown canal belt, formed a sleepy corridor with little action but mom-and-pop shops. Just two blocks long and linked by a footbridge, the skinny district they form is lined with elegant canal houses that are home to well-to-do families. But recently, as the nearby Nine Streets shopping district grew, and the adjacent Jordaan neighborhood became increasingly trendy, the quaint streets of Herenstraat and Prinsenstraat began to buzz with new energy. Trendy bars and innovative restaurants have opened. And a steady march of independent boutiques is turning the area into one of the city’s coolest retail strips." - Derrick from Bookmarklet

Sometime next year, the city plans to give the corridor a pedestrian-friendly facelift to enhance Herenstraat-Prinsenstraat’s appeal. There will be “less parking space and wider and slightly higher sidewalks,” said Ton Boon, a spokesman for the Centrum borough. The Amsterdammertjes, the city’s iconic XXX-marked poles (referring to the city’s coat of arms), he added, will also be removed to extend the sidewalks. - Derrick

Funny, I noticed the same change during my last trip to Amsterdam, back in Nov. 08. Tasca Bellota is great! - Rubin Sfadj

I think Amsterdam is my next trip. I mean vacation. - Amy℠

Have been here a couple of times, very nice streets. You almost miss it if you haven't heard or read about it somewhere. - The Comic Project