The Duchess has opened for business – well it’s been open for a while actually – and I’d been curious since I first heard about it months ago, and finally got to see for myself last night. While I was a bit self-conscious in my casual work clothes that would have gotten a smirk or two from Friday-night pseudo-socialites, I had to keep reminding myself that this was Holland, where most people aren’t L.A.-ified, and thankfully so. Nonetheless I did wish I’d dressed up a big spiffier that day because the place certainly called for it. Classy comes to mind.

We ordered our drinks and sat down comfortably by a quiet corner in the tea area, enjoying both the cool cocktails and the strong sun coming through the canal-side windows. We were the only people there for quite a long time and gave us a chance to catch-up on news and gossip from what seemed like forever. Hope to be back for dinner soon.