It started with a poster's question about the train/bus from Schiphol to their Haarlem hotel (Niu Dairy)...so I checked Google Maps....(I really like Haarlem and I love GM)....so I checked the distance from there to the Amadeus Hotel where I've stayed a number of times....and then checked the distance to Vroom & Dreesman department store....uh oh, found they are permanently closed.... but, wait, it appears that it is now Hudson's Bay dept store.....side trip to Google Hudson's Bay....it's a Canadian chain which decided to expand in Netherlands....but it appears prices were too high for the Dutch, so they've also introduced some less expensives lines in their stores, and one reviewer mentioned that not all associates speak Dutch....interesting...but the best part is that they still have their 5th floor cafe/buffet, with the great view over the city! That was one of my favorite places for a quick bite! .......
Which brings me to my point, I guess.......from checking Google Maps I learned something new about Haarlem, plus it made me think of other department stores that have cafeterias/buffet restaurants on their top floor....like Karstadt stores in Germany and El Corte Inglés in Spain. Reasonable for breakfast (Karstadt, not sure about El Corte Inglés) and also good for a tasty lunch, afternoon dessert and coffee, or early dinner when traveling solo....
So this is where Google Maps has taken me......
...does anyone else eat at department stores? ;)