Enjoying French at Restaurant LaSalle in The Hague

We recently visited the Restaurant LaSalle. This French restaurant is located in the heart of downtown The Hague, a stone’s throw from the Grote Markt. An ideal place to get your evening in The Hague off to a good start.

To experience the coziness of the Hague city center, we arrived a little early and strolled through the shopping streets, the old and new Passage, the Haagsche Bluf and along the terraces on the Grote Markt. Then it was time for our French dinner.

French cooking without frills

We stepped into LaSalle around 6:30 p.m. and were warmly welcomed by the waiter. Extra nice detail: he is French. Fortunately, we got along fine with English and even a little Dutch! Combined with his typical French business attire, the French-language background music and the warm decor, it almost felt as if you had briefly landed in a local bistro in France. Not much later, owner and chef Eric came out of the kitchen to greet us. That personal welcome immediately gives a warm and familiar feeling.

LaSalle stands for French-style cooking, nice and small, no frills. No complicated constructions on your plate, but pure flavors and recognizable ingredients. You see what you eat and taste the quality.

A tasty 3-course dinner

While we were quickly served a bottle of water, a good glass of wine and freshly baked French bread, we looked at the menu. It changes monthly, which makes it extra fun to come back again to taste something new.

Table companion Sonja chose thinly sliced raw ham with sweet and sour vegetable spaghetti as an appetizer. A surprisingly fresh combination. Just delicious, without fuss! As a main course she chose a fried puffer steak which she said was perfectly prepared and full of flavor. This bullet steak was served with fresh thick fries. I started with a traditional onion soup. Richly filled and exactly how you hope a French onion soup tastes. This was followed by the grilled fish of the day, (a redfish) served with bulgur, vegetables and fennel sauce. That one, too, was truly delicious!

The restaurant had a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. Behind us, a group of business people were enjoying private dining, while the front section had several tables occupied by couples and friends. The tables are comfortably spaced apart, so you can’t look directly at your neighbors’ tables. You have plenty of space around you, but still get the conviviality of the other parties.

A sweet French finale

To finish, we chose the petit grand dessert. A festive plate full of French mini desserts. Chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, tarte tatin, a puff pastry filled with ice cream and a mini bavarois. That way you don’t have to choose and can taste everything. Exactly as intended according to Eric, who stopped by after our dinner to inquire if everything was satisfactory and had a chat with us.

We both enjoyed ourselves. No unnecessary frills, but pure and flavorful dishes.

A fine place for an evening out

Restaurant LaSalle is a fine place to eat. You feel welcome and comfortable here. Whether you come as a couple for a romantic evening, want to dine extensively with friends or combine a business meeting or family celebration with good food. The various nooks and crannies make it a great place to enjoy a good meal, even on your own.

Combine your dinner with an afternoon of shopping in The Hague city center, a visit to a show or drinks on the Grote Markt and you have a complete evening out in The Hague.

Credits photos: OpstapmetLisa