 The Hague, a culinary paradise
The times when one had to leave The Hague to find a good restaurant now belong to a distant past. The Hague and its surrounding areas offer a variety of restaurants of virtually every quality, ranging from star-rated restaurants to fine brasseries. Almost every month, a new restaurateur settles in The Hague to display his or her culinary art.
Not only does the art of cooking play a role; restaurants also compete in the areas of interior design and ambiance. This causes the final products and services offered by restaurants to be of higher quality and we, culinary devotees, thoroughly enjoy and take advantage of that. Of course there are restaurants that have been known for their excellent quality for years.
A Michelin star is not earned just like that. Restaurant Seinpost in Scheveningen, for example, where chef Gert-Jan Cieremans holds sway, has kept a star for years on end. The fantastic view over the North Sea and the superb cuisine together turn each dinner there into a special event. Restaurant Calla’s, owned by Marcel van der Kleijn, also has a Michelin star, and with good reason. Marcel is a true ‘fish artist’, but his fantastic Anjou dove is no less delicious. Its high-quality interior is austere, its staff excellently trained.Not only does the art of cooking play a role; restaurants also compete in the areas of interior design and ambiance. This causes the final products and services offered by restaurants to be of higher quality and we, culinary devotees, thoroughly enjoy and take advantage of that.
Of course there are restaurants that have been known for their excellent quality for years.
Another restaurant that has been known for years is WOX, owned by Luciën Bastiaan and Bahija El Haidar. Luciën cooks in a French-Asian style and manages to fill up the place with guests every week. WOX has been honoured with the ‘Best Award of Excel-lence 2007’ by the renowned magazine Wine Spectator. Lemongrass, at the Scheveningen harbour, has received this award five years running. This restaurant offers the most beautiful wines at an affordable price.
Guests and wine lovers never become bored with the Lemongrass’ terrific wine book. The food there is fine; the fish comes straight from the auction and the meat dishes are beautifully crafted. Situated at the harbour, restaurant Waterproef is another beautiful establishment. Here, Mark Ligtvoet and Yves van Westreenen have managed to create an excellent ambiance and maintain a high quality level of cuisine.
In Voorburg resides the restaurant of the devoted restaurateur Henk Savelberg. Restaurant Savelberg is the epitome of culinary artwork. Its interior and staff, the ‘black brigade’ as they are often referred to, are dignified. It is a wonderful experience to be spoiled by people who know their trade. It is sometimes difficult to keep up with the many novel restaurants, but that is what makes dining in The Hague so enjoyable. Discovering these new places is like an adventure that never comes to an end.
 Restaurant Viszooi in The Hague, for instance, has a new chef, Mark Vaessen. Mark took over an already good restaurant and made it even better. If you are looking for an original French restaurant, you should certainly try Le Bistro de la Place in the heart of The Hague city centre. There, Norbert Tillard cooks the most beautiful, pure French dishes. For those who love Asian cuisine, there is also an abundance of choice. Restaurant Oni, where one can eat delicious sushi and sashimi in a modern, lounge-like ambiance, is located right in the heart of The Hague. One must not forget to mention the Japanese Restaurant Shirasagi, where you will find chef Masao Komiyamain. This beautiful place is located in the Statenkwartier neighborhood of The Hague.
The Hague is full of places where eating and drinking is an extraordinary pleasure. I would like to take you with me again in the next issue to help you discover them. Lastly, I would like to point out to you a special establishment where dining is only secondary to its excellent wine list. I am talking about Taste, the wine bar. This place, where you can drink the most beautiful wines by the glass, can be found in one of the most characteristic places in The Hague, Tournooiveld 1. Right opposite the Hofvijver, flanked by one of the most magnificent squares in Europe.
Enjoying a glass of Tignanello there from the famous Italian brand Antinori makes you forget that The Hague is in the Netherlands!
Harrie van Dam is 55, married and has travelled the world. A few years ago he was asked to write a column for a prestigious food magazine. Since then he and his wife Hetty are connoisseurs. We welcome Harrie’s new column in our magazine Global The Hague. |
