Date posted: December 23, 2007

The Netherlands

If you're travelling to The Netherlands be warned, service in restaurants tends to be poor and expect having to wait very long before being offered the menu, let alone being served. Most upscale restaurants do only one serving per night so the staff finds there's no need to hurry. Don't expect to be able to book a table between 6pm and 8pm. Even when the restaurant is deserted between 6pm and 7:30pm tables will be kept free for guests arriving around 8. It's happened to me several times when I wanted to have a pre-theatre dinner.

The best restaurants in The Netherlands, according to Michelin and local guidebooks are located, not in the capital, Amsterdam or any of the other major cities, but, with the exception of Maastricht, in small towns in the country.

My favourite restaurants in Amsterdam are both situated in Hotel Okura. You can't go wrong at Yamazato. Le Ciel Bleu has two Michelin stars and serves no frills excellent food. I don't fancy the supposedly exquisite sauces that many Michelin starred restaurants seem to specialize in.

The Hague seems to be going through some kind of a restaurant renaissance. Calla's, Laan van Roos en Doorn 51a, is one of the best restaurants in The Hague. If every dish would be 10-15 euro less expensive it would be great. Zouitdezee, Hooikade 14, looks boring but don't let that put you off, the fish dishes are great. Spijs, Wassenaarsestraat 147, open Monday till Friday (!), yes, we're in The Netherlands and Le bon mangeur, Wassenaarsestraat 119 in Scheveningen are an excellent post walk along the beach choice. The best thing about Le Bon Mangeur is that it's open on Sunday, a rare thing in The Netherlands.

I love fish, so my favourite restaurant in Rotterdam is Zeezout, Westerkade 11b. Going for a stroll along the river before sitting down for lunch or dinner adds to the experience.