A glass of ruby red wine in front of you, mouthwatering tapas, and live Spanish guitar player… this is how enjoyable your evening can be at La Basque in the heart of The Hague.
Attracted by the no fuss style of the place, and also because we knew the talented guitarist, Patrice Martel, who was playing that night, we reserved a table. The restaurant is not very big and it gets crowded. Seems like we are not the only one to enjoy this type of food and Spanish restaurants are not a plethora in the Dutch city.
Tucked on Nobelstraat in the Hofkwartier, a huge tree watching over the 18th century old house, we are warmly greeted by Wendy. She and her husband Raj opened La Basque restaurant in 2014. They are very passionate about their place, always thinking about ways to make it more lively and cozy than it is already. A lovely upstairs room can accommodate a small group or be used for private events. An open kitchen with a bar allows you to watch the two chefs while they prepare outstanding dishes.
Coming to La Basque is an experience in itself. The concept of the restaurant is based on Pintxo bars, popular eating places in the Basque country, in Northern Spain. A Pintxo was originally a small slice of bread on which was placed a small portion of food. The origin of its name comes from the fact that the food was held on to the bread by a toothpick, a Pintxo. Nowadays, pintxos have evolved into spoon-size bites that offer an explosion of flavor in the mouth, ready to satisfy the most discerning palate. The two chefs, one a native of Bilbao, are very creative at combining the most amazing food, charcuterie, octopus, Spanish cheeses with fresh seasonal ingredients to create traditional pintxos with a modern twist. Along with Salmorejo – a sort of gaspacho, croquettes, and tortilla de patatas they will delight your palate with authentic flavors.
Chalk boards on the wall present the choices, which change periodically to adjust to the seasons. Delightful pintxos of course, some tasty main dishes, and a clever choice of wine by the glass. Desserts are not left out.
Pintxos are set on the kitchen counter for you to choose and take back to your table, a wooden stick in each dish. You pay at the end of your meal depending on the number of wooden sticks. It is really fun and so easy.
Dining at La Basque is a fantastic way to spend an evening. The authentic ambiance, the Mediterranean flair, honest and delicious food, and wonderful wines make you feel 1,000 kilometers away for one night.
Christine is a life enthusiast, attracted to happiness, creativity and beauty in everything. It is not because she is French that she loves Fashion but she does. Photographing her food is becoming a habit of hers!