When most people think of The Netherlands, the automatic thought is Amsterdam.   Although Amsterdam is a beautifully diverse city, there are many more places to discover in the low lands. My first time in Den Haag (The Hague) was September of last year, only a few weeks before my departure from Europe.  Ever since then, I have been fascinated with the city.   I have always loved underrated cities.  Cities which have not been polluted with mass tourism.  Recently, a short trip to The Netherlands reaffirmed my love affair with this city.

I fondly recall one of my first dates with the Dutchman in Den Haag.  We went to Scheveningen, a seaside district of the city.  It was fall, the air was cold and crisp and the waves were violent and high.  During my most recent trip, the weather was cold and dreary, not the most ideal for a stroll by the beach, however we were drawn to return.  We had a late lunch at Simonis, a combination of a fish market and family style restaurant.  I warmed up with lobster soup and we bought fresh scallops and tuna tartare home from the shop for our Valentine’s Day Dinner.

The second day in the city, the universe took pity on me and the weather improved to have a walk around Den Haag.  The city seems to have a very old soul, with its stately buildings and beautiful embassy homes.  It was a peaceful walk by the hofvijver (a small pond), with a view of the Parliament Building, the Binnenhof.  As we walk, we witness contrasting Dutch scenes.  On one bench there is an older Dutch gentleman, which a dark overcoat, elegant black leather shoes, and a pristine bicycle parked next to him as he reads his newspaper.  On another bench there is a group of teenagers of all races rolling up a joint.  Although contrasting, it all seemed to fit so perfectly in that precise moment.  We ended the afternoon with coffee and Dutch apple cake at Cafe Dudok, a café with an open space filled with a mix crowd of bureaucrats, students, and businessmen.  

Coffee Time at Dudok

My last full day in The Netherlands, we met friends in Rotterdam.  We had brunch at Hotel New York, where a dear friend of mine had her first date with her husband and subsequently married there.  The hotel is located on the Wilhelminakade on the river Maas, and on this particular sunny day it had a beautiful view of the Erasmus Bridge.  When someone suggests "hotel brunch"  it always intimidates me as it ends up being ridiculously expensive.  I was happy to find out the prices were reasonable, the view is gorgeous, and the interior design of the restaurant transports you to another era.  In between Limburg patés and prosecco, we toasted to life and love.  

Love from the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam

I concluded my visit with a Indonesian dinner in Den Haag at Garoeda, a fixture in the city as it has been there for 64 years.  Over our rice plates, we went over the highlights of the last four days. After a short yet abundant trip, I was headed back to DC with a heavy heart for physically leaving the person I love.  With my suitcase filled with cheese, stroopwafels,  Delft Blue mugs, and lovely memories, I left knowing there will be more memories made in this country. 

A Scene from Den Haag