Ice Palace

IJspaleis_MG_6163
With a photo of the Ice Palace I would like to resume posting on this blog and to offer a cool view on a hot July day. We’re experiencing an official heat wave, the first since 2006.

“Ice Palace” is the local vernacular for the Town Hall of The Hague. It’s still stately without the intended Spui Forum as its neighbor, but obviously this was a just as megalomaniac project as the Spui Forum is now.

Stay tuned for updates of the blog

Meet Roel Wijnants – My Favorite The Hague Streetphotographer

Strijkijzer

This is the The Hague Flatiron building next to Central Station from an unusual angle and with a very dark background.

Roel Wijnants is a man who, when he walks through The Hague, never ceases to look around him with a keen photographer’s Eye.

I’m trying to revive the blog now and hope others will follow.

Few places left for the 070 Twitterlunch on April 24, 2012

My First Twaartup

Few places left for the 070 Twitterlunch on April 24, 2012

The highest time to revive this blog. As it aims to bring foreign language The Hague lovers, -workers and -inhabitants together with the locals we (i.e. Me) should put more effort in keeping it a bit more up to date.

Now there is an excellent opportunity to mix with Dutch Locals from The Hague and abroad: Amsterdam Based Event Queen @Puur, together with the The Hague based @filosoof and @1espresso are organizing a 070 Twitterlunch in Pavlov on April 24, 2012.

Have a look at this Page of @Puur and leave a note if you want to participate. Cost is € 8.- for a typical Dutch “Sandwich” Lunch (you know how we Dutch are. Don’t you?)

85 rections as of the moment of publishing this post. Because as always people will not show up, the organizers believe some 30 more can be accommodated.

The above photo is from the first #twaartup I was able to attend some time ago. A twaartup is a tweetup with coffee or tea and cake rather than sandwiches. A new 070 #twaartup is in the works. I will keep you posted.

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 14,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Starbucks now in The Hague


After years of speculation Starbucks finally opened it’s first location in The Hague last week. A small group of Starbucks fans met up at the end of the afternoon to enjoy their first of many drinks.  The location at Central Station is surprisingly quite big although it seems to be in a temporary spot as the entire station is being rebuilt. What is your favourite coffee spot in The Hague?

An appetizer to the outdoor cultural season …

If the longer and warmer days were not indication enough of the city’s awakening, then the flurry of press releases about the forthcoming awakening of The Hague is a sure sign that the days ahead will be different. No more crawling into winter slumber after a days work, no, the City and the weather are enticing us out of our homes and onto the streets.

Announcements about the Festival Month of June, when for a month long we will be confronted with an embarrassing wealth of choice when it comes to music, has now been given an appetizer. In May a new initiative will hit the streets and wet the appetites of Hague residents. Culinary The Hague will take place for the first time from the 2nd through the 8th of May and foodies can take part in a culinary tour of the city. For the fixed price of 59.50 you can enjoy a four course meal, in four different restaurants – on one evening!

Wait, there is more, for the adventurous gastronome. After you reserve your ticket you will be told which of the four participating restaurants will be serving you which course, and while traveling from one to the other you will be given a route to follow, which will take you through some of The Hague’s historic points. Information about your route, what you will see, and where you will eat will be sent to you by email following the purchase of your ticket.

And, if this were not enough – each course includes a drink!

The participating restaurants are: Restaurant Des Deux Villes – Restaurant It Rains Fishes – Restaurant Dekxels – Decibels – Restaurant Max– Restaurant Han Ting – Brasserie Buitenhof

 Den Haag City Marketing and its partners have outdone themselves with this inspiring initiative. For more information, and more importantly to reserve your seat & tour visit  www.ontdekculinairnederland.nl – be creative though, or use google translate – the site is only available in Dutch ….

Bon appetite, and dare I say, happy travels!

PS The June Festivals include: The Royal Beach Concert (June 4th & 5th), Shopping Night (June 23rd) , Parkpop (June 26th), Den Haag Sculptuur (June 6th through to September 1st), Vlaggetjesdag (June 11th), The Hague Jazz (June 17th – 19th) , Festival Classique (June 14th – 19th) and Dutch Veterans Days (Nederlandse Veteranendag) (June 25th). As of April 18th www.thehaguefestivals.com will have all the up to date information.

Scheveningen, lots to do and see

Scheveningen beach bar
When the sun shines in The Hague most people head to Scheveningen to enjoy the seaside and all it has to offer. The beach has recently been extended and the restaurants have opened again for business after a long winter break. You will find a wide selection of food and night-life along the boulevard, but also on the North Beach and around the Harbour.

Other attractions are the Casino, water sports, diverse museums with excellent exhibitions each year (such as Museum Beelden aan Zee) and walking routes in and around the dunes. If you are visiting with kids go to Sea Life and they are sure to also enjoy Glow Golf on the Pier.

Upcoming events – save the date:

Transport: Tram 1, 9, 11 & bus 22

* Parking can be a problem on sunny days, read here for info on where to park.

image credit: Photo by Martin Palmer

Trendy Fushion at Mochi Restaurant

CRAVE Buzz Party 2 3

Mochi Restuarant is located just behind the Frederikstraat in the Willemspark area of The Hague. You are guaranteed a great night out with fab food at Mochi and friendly service. I have been to Mochi twice in the last 6 months, it really is a great place to have nice evening out.

While I am not a seafood person the highlight for me was most definitely their signature dish Frikandel speciaal! The chef’s menu is the most popular choice, allowing you to get the full Mochi experience. And for the dessert lovers you will not be disappointed. If you go to Mochi make sure you order the Frikandel and report back, and be sure to say hi to Lissette.

Location: Mallemolen 12-A, 2585 XJ The Hague
Telephone: 070 3635763
Website: mochirestaurant.nl
Transport: Tram 9 tramstop Javastraat; Tram 1 & 10 tramstop Alexanderstraat; bus 20 & 22 busstop Nassauplein

photo credit: charlottemeindersma.com

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