Located just a block away from where this people-watching extravaganza unfolded on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Puri Mas is a choice Indonesian restaurant that jockeys for recognition amidst a crowded street of pizzerias and ethnic eateries. Its second-floor space makes it even harder to find—look for their green neon sign about halfway down Lange Leidsedwarsstraat.

I was treated like a king from the minute I stepped in. After being seated by one of many gracious staff members, my server came by to make sure I’d be having a traditional Indonesian rijstafel, which is a variety of foods and sauces served with rice. I ordered the vegetarian spread and a huge mug of beer, and soon after, he returned with a basket of thin veggie crackers for me to munch on, noting that though they looked like prawn crackers, they were in fact seafood-free. He also left a pitcher of water on the table—this might seem trivial, but just getting a glass of water at Amsterdam restaurants, much less a pitcher, is sometimes difficult.

After downing most of my beer and relaxing amidst the pleasant shades of green that engulf the restaurant’s interior, I was presented with a bowl of corn soup, and so began a feast of epic proportions. By the time I was ready to dig in, there were 14 dishes laid out in front of me! My server patiently described each one, and instructed me to start with the mildest dishes on the left side of the table and work my way right to the spiciest ones. This amazing spread included a few peanut-based salads and curries, a vegetable curry, and excellent sweet and spicy soy meat. A cute dessert in the shape of a smiley face made of orange slices, pineapple wedges, and other fruits topped it all off.

You’re probably wondering whether or not I ate everything. I'll never tell! Let's just say that I left unsure of whether I'd eat again during the rest of my stay in the 'Dam.