Le Barquichon

Upon entering, we are warmly welcomed by owner Ellen Kuijs, who, together with chef Michiel Tijssen, has been running this charming restaurant in the center of Voorburg for years. The dining room is decorated in warm tones and exudes a cozy, homely atmosphere. Alongside its French-inspired menu, Le Barquichon offers classics such as sweetbreads, bisque, steak tartare, and foie gras. With a refreshing glass of Colombelle from Gascony, it is hard to choose from all the options, but we begin with grilled scallops, generously sized, served with sea beans, fresh peas, and a frothy curry-lime sauce. It is a delightful dish where the pronounced flavors of lime and curry, along with the brininess of the sea beans, blend harmoniously. The steak tartare is also excellent, featuring freshly ground beef dressed with a bright vinaigrette, Amsterdam onions, and subtle truffle mayonnaise. This is accompanied by delicious olive bread, salted butter, and a fine glass of 'Kies' Grüner Veltliner from the Kamptal region. Beyond the house wine, Ellen pours generous measures from the wine list. We enjoy the L'Ostal Cazes from Minervois, characterized by distinctive black and red fruit and light oak notes, paired with a perfectly grilled entrecôte served with haricots verts and herb butter. The grilled halibut fillet with mashed potatoes and enoki mushrooms is equally pleasing. We conclude with panna cotta topped with strawberry mousse and fresh fruit, served in a classic 1970s glass coupe. Do not expect groundbreaking innovations here, but rather a beautiful, solid, and high-quality culinary experience. All at a very reasonable price.

A charming neighborhood spot in the historic nightlife hub of Voorburg. A place where intimacy, personal hospitality, and good value for money go hand in hand. Chef Michiel Tijssen took over the establishment in 2012 with his partner...

An indispensable fixture in the side street off the popular Herenstraat in Voorburg. This friendly, not overly large home-style restaurant has been lovingly run since 2012 by chef Michiel Tijssen and hostess and sommelier Ellen Kuijs. Straightforward, incredibly warm, and highly skilled in their respective fields. Many regulars come to savor the chef's French cuisine, which is generous and unpretentious, making every visit feel a little like 'coming home'. Everything here is prepared à la minute using fresh ingredients. As a result, it may take a little while for your dishes to be served, but the wait is more than worth it. The menu is modest, offering two starters, two intermediate courses, two mains, and four desserts. Several French classics are also available, including bisque, pan-seared foie gras with apples, and sweetbreads. Alternatively, you can choose from a multi-course surprise menu. For the aperitif, we are served waffles topped with cream cheese, tomato, and truffle crisps. A delightfully crisp welcome. We sample the Bawykov salmon with avocado and green apple, served generously. This is followed by succulent langoustines with calamansi and beetroot. A beautifully balanced, subtly sweet dish. True to the menu description, the generous grilled entrecote arrives with a luscious, velvety pepper sauce. Ellen pairs it with a 2023 Weingut Stauffer Cuvée Roter Kalk, showcasing fruity aromas and a spicy, supple finish. Life is simply good at Le Barquichon. May the coming years bring just as much joy!

A long-standing fixture in Voorburg and the surrounding area. Restaurant Le Barquichon is run by the jovial chef Michiel Tijssen and the cheerful hostess and sommelier Ellen Kuijs. They boast a loyal following of regulars who frequently visit the small, welcoming establishment tucked away in a side street off the picturesque Herenstraat. The dining room seats up to thirty guests. The menu showcases French cuisine featuring classic dishes such as foie gras, turbot, scallops, and sweetbreads. Following a small, delightful carrot cake with spicy curry-sesame mousse, we start with the croque thon. Sparkling-fresh hand-cut tuna tartare served between crispy toasts, accompanied by a crisp radish salad and a light, frothy wasabi and cucumber cream. The foie gras triptych is also a highlight. Presented as confit, terrine, and crème brûlée, paired with balsamic vinegar. The recommended wine, Domeniul Bogdan Tămâioasă Românească from Romania, can barely stand up to the intense flavors. A richly concentrated bisque follows, generously loaded with lobster and served with rouille toast. Chef Michel personally brings out our main courses. Perfectly grilled turbot with a side of green vegetables and an aromatic beurre blanc infused with Pernod. Bon! The homemade almond kletskoppen and a white chocolate brownie with our coffee round off the meal perfectly. Upon leaving, we are offered an umbrella due to the rain. Our hostess assures us that returning it will be no trouble at all. A true gem.

Ellen Kuijs and Michiel Tijssen have been running their intimate home-style restaurant together for quite a few years now, tucked away in a side street off the well-known Herenstraat in Voorburg. Ellen manages the front of house while Michiel works behind the stove, and both do so with great passion. The hospitality is genuine and the cuisine excellent. There is a modest à la carte selection alongside multi-course menus, and the wine list offers both Old and New World wines. Alongside the aperitif arrives delicious bread and a delicate asparagus soup with herb oil. The poured Colombelle Gascogne, with its fresh acidity from colombard and ugni blanc, pairs perfectly with the starter: a salmon rouleau featuring bawykov salmon, squid crumble, and a delightful tomato sorbet. We continue with this wine alongside succulent pan-fried scallops, pea cream, antiboise foam, and glasswort. The main course is a classic: tender, perfectly cooked beef tenderloin served with grilled asparagus, garden beans, sugar snap peas, onion marmalade, and red wine sauce. For dessert, vanilla cream ice cream is paired with tonka bean panna cotta, elegantly molded into the likeness of Christiaan Huygens. One of the Netherlands' greatest scientists and the inventor of the pendulum clock, he spent his final years at the nearby Hofwijck estate, which his father Constantijn Huygens built in 1642 as a country retreat. So you even walk away with a little history lesson after your dinner out!

Owners Ellen Kuijs and Michiel Tijssen, who met at The Hague's Mondriaan College, took over this restaurant in the historic center a few years ago and renovated it so that it feels spacious even with just seven tables. The pillars of Le Barquichon are the warmth of hostess Ellen and Michiel’s excellent cuisine, complemented by the spotlessly clean coziness of the little venue. You dine here for pure enjoyment. And it is affordable. We experience this again as we settle at our white-clothed table and taste a glass of La Négly (La Brise Marine, 2019), a rich Languedoc wine made from grapes such as roussanne, bourboulenc, and clairette, with a light oak aging. A risotto croquette served alongside as an amuse-bouche. The duck liver terrine with toasted suikerbrood (Dutch spiced bread) is then deliciously flavorful, as is the salad with salmon and bacon on the other plate. Followed by a scallop and walnut salad, and steak tartare with truffle mayonnaise: also such lovely intermezzo dishes. Expertly pan-fried turbot with beurre blanc is the pièce de résistance, alongside beautifully prepared veal cheeks with celeriac and mushrooms. Well-balanced dishes that pair perfectly with the excellent Southern French wine. All of this rounded off with a cheese dessert. Dining at Le Barquichon is a real treat!

Small but lovely. This cozy living-room-style restaurant in the old center of Voorburg has been delivering consistent quality for years. Owner-chef Michel Tijssen and his wife, hostess Ellen Kuijs, welcome and pamper their guests like family, and that certainly does not go unnoticed. It is always packed in this charming little venue with a fireplace, a dining bar, linen-covered tables, comfortable chairs, and large mirrors on the walls. Michel prepares traditional French dishes; classic with a wink to modern cuisine, made with day-fresh ingredients. The specialty is foie gras, served in various preparations. In addition, the wine list features over 100 selections, with a focus on France. The cheerful Ellen ensures an afternoon or evening of relaxed enjoyment through her genuine attention and care. On sunny days, the front patio doors open up, and you can also enjoy yourself on the small, intimate street terrace, making you feel as though you have stepped into a charming Parisian arrondissement. When the bill arrives, you are instantly reminded that you are in the Netherlands, as it is remarkably affordable. Bien!

Le Barquichon in the old center of Voorburg has long been a staple in this guide. Owner-chef Michel Tijssen and hostess, as well as his partner Ellen Kuijs, deliver consistent quality in their small, living-room-style restaurant, which doesn't go unnoticed given the large number of regular guests. We are warmly welcomed and assigned the only table by the window. The menu features a rotating tasting menu alongside a small selection of à la carte dishes. Vegetarian options must be requested, and desserts are described verbally at the table. After a small amuse-bouche of tacos with hummus, peppers, and quinoa, we are treated to beautifully dry-seared scallops with a delicate shellfish sauce, followed by crispy-fried sweetbread, generously portioned and served on onion compote with hazelnuts. While Ellen pours the wines for the main course, Michel serves monkfish with saffron and a classic tournedos with truffle sauce. Everything is perfectly prepared. On the cheese board, we find among others Beemster crumbly cheese, Petit Bourgogne, and blue goat cheese from the local delicatessen Proefhuys. In the glass, a fine Macvin Pinot Noir from the Jura region. The handwritten bill arrives almost immediately after we ask for it. The price-to-quality ratio here is excellent. A lovely spot!

This charming living-room-style restaurant is located in picturesque Oud-Voorburg. Since 2012, it has been run with heart and soul by Ellen Kuijs on the front of house and Michiel Tijssen in the kitchen. The roles aren't strictly divided, as the chef regularly visits the dining area, and the cheerful hostess has culinary training. The menu features classic French dishes with a modern twist. Additionally, the chef presents the menu tableside, which can be ordered in three, four, or five courses. We enjoy the chef's menu featuring Norwegian gravlax salmon with grilled asparagus, potato mousseline, and asparagus foam. A delicious combination packed with flavor. The bavette steak from the main course, served with parsnip cream and truffle jus, is also masterfully prepared. By the way, extra foie gras and truffle can be ordered as a side dish for a modest surcharge. Those were favorite ingredients under the previous owner, and that tradition has been preserved. A nice touch. The wine list features selections from around the globe, with a focus on distinctive French wines. For the main course, we choose a fine 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mouzillon by Jean Marcel, one of the house wines available by the glass. Its ripe red fruit profile pairs beautifully with the bavette. The finale is a coconut panna cotta with marinated pineapple and mango sorbet. Refreshingly light, with absolutely no overpowering coconut taste. A wonderful spot!