restaurant – Absolutely The Hague!

Trendy Fushion at Mochi Restaurant

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

A city with royal style

For my very first 52 cities’ guide I made a walk through the centre of The Hague. Start along the leafy Lange Voorhout with the Palace where Queen Emma lived from 1901 to l934. Nowadays it is a museum [1] tributed to the Dutch artist Escher. The prestigious Hotel Des Indes [2] built in 1858 had many royal guests, aristocrats and celebrities. Enjoy an afternoon tea in the lovely lounge area. Every Thursday and Sunday from May until the end of September you’ll find the antique market on the Lange Voorhout. Pulchri Studio [3] is an artist’s society, established in 1847. In this building the artists show their works of art (free entrance). The history of the Kloosterkerk starts around 1400 AD. Every last Sunday of the month a cantata service is held in collaboration of the Residential Bach Orchestra and the Residential Chamber Orchestra. In 2009 the Indonesian restaurant Garoeda [4] celebrated its 60^th anniversary. You can enjoy either a light lunch up to a complete Rijsttafel (ricetable). One of the most famous clients of De Graaff Tobacconist [5] in the Heulstraat was Churchill himself. Palace Noordeinde built in 1533 is Queen Beatrix’ work palace. Every Wednesday morning foreign ambassadors arrive here in horse carriages. Not only Princess Maxima loves to shop in the boutiques at the Noordeinde and Hoogstraat. Enjoy an Italian cappuccino at Deluca, situated on the corner of the oldest shopping centre in Holland, the Passage, built between 1882 and 1885. The Dutch government is located in the Binnenhof, built in the 13th century. On the third Tuesday of September Queen Beatrix holds her speech in the gothic Ridderzaal. The office of the Prime Minister is in the so-called Torentje next to the 17^th century Mauritshuis [6]. In this museum you’ll find a collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Frans Hals.

[1] Escher in Het Paleis, Lange Voorhout 74, www.escherinhetpaleis.nl

[2] Hotel Des Indes, Lange Voorhout 54-56, www.desindes.nl

[3] Pulchri Studio, Lange Voorhout 15, www.pulchri.nl

[4] Indonesian restaurant Garoeda, Kneuterdijk 18a, www.garoeda.nl

[5] G. de Graaff Tobacconist, Heulstraat 27, www.gdegraaff.com

[6] Mauritshuis, Korte Vijverberg 8, www.mauritshuis.nl

New Meyva

Open for over 20 years the New Meyva serves specialities from Suriname. Their roti’s are a true treat. Friendly staff make you feel at home and are ready to help you order if you are not familiar with the dishes. Just around the corner from the Paard and across from the cafes on the Grote Markt it is a populair place for a quick bite before hitting the town. There are enough places to sit and you can also take away and call ahead to place your order. Things to order: chicken filet roti speciaal, lamb roti & white rice and pom.

Location: Boekhorstraat 5

Vapiano, for a quick bite

Vapiano is a self-service Italian restaurant for those looking to not spend that much but still feel like they are dining out. When you walk in you are handed a swipe-card and the first thing to do is find a spot to sit and claim it. Busy nights are usually Thursday, Friday & Saturday so be aware that it might not be easy to find a spot, especially if you are with a group.

The menu is pretty basic with pizzas, pastas, some small side dishes and desserts. Everything has to be ordered at the counter and is added to your card. The atmosphere is pretty laid back, making it an ideal place to go with kids. All cards are scanned before you leave so make sure you don’t lose your swipe-card otherwise you pay a fine (more than a meal & drinks would cost).