Bistro La Cloche

Bistro La Cloche is located right in the heart of Leiden. A classic and atmospheric venue featuring a large bar and an open kitchen halfway through the dining room. The overall atmosphere feels relaxed and inviting. The cuisine is classically French with influences from around the world. The menu is clear and straightforward, highlighting a three- or four-course chef's tasting menu. À la carte options are also available. We start with a horn-shaped pastry filled with aged Leiden cheese, cipollini onions, and shredded black olives. Paired with a glass of sparkling Genoels-Elderen 'Zwarte Parel' 2022 from Belgium. The cheese is quite dominant, but the wine is a surprising choice. The freshly baked sourdough bread with its crisp crust is excellent. We begin with salmon prepared with mustard, gin, bergamot, strained yogurt, and lemon thyme. The salmon is gently cooked, but the acidity of the accompaniments overpowers it. This is followed by a duck liver terrine with pistachios and apricot. It is creamy and flavorful, although the white chocolate and coffee crumbs detract from the dish as a whole. The main course features perfectly cooked ribeye, rich in flavor and deliciously paired with beurre de Paris and chimichurri. The fries are rather tough, and the mayonnaise misses the mark. The powerful Barramundi Victoria Shiraz Reserve 2022 from Australia complements the meat beautifully. To finish, we enjoy a hot coffee and a crisp madeleine. Service is headed by Marvin van der Bent. The team is friendly and relaxed, though there sometimes seems to be insufficient attention paid to waiting times. An evening at La Cloche guarantees classic dishes served in a warm setting where atmosphere and hospitality are assured. The pacing could just be slightly more brisk. A lovely spot!

Situated in the charming Pieterskwartier. Upon entering the intimate setting, you are immediately struck by a sense of warmth and homeliness. The charismatic and good-humored Marvin van der Bent, as host, ensures you feel more than welcome and that everything will be taken care of. And indeed, the approach remains personal without being intrusive. Chef de cuisine Lars Mieremet prepares balanced dishes in his open kitchen that are classically grounded with occasional contemporary touches. Accompanied by a glass of Louis de Vernier cava, we are served a crisp horn filled with Leiden cheese cream, onion compote, and dried olive crunch as an amuse-bouche. A richly flavored start. The first course is steak tartare with quail egg, anchovies, cornichons, capers, and horseradish. Generous and full-flavored. This is followed by duck breast. Crisp-skinned, sliced into thick medallions, served on roasted beetroot, with tender al dente lentils, orange segments, pecans, and a jus enriched with triple sec. Marvin pairs it with an Epicuro Negroamaro from Puglia—deep red, velvety, rich in red fruit, with a long finish. Drinks are certainly not poured sparingly, and life is undoubtedly celebrated at De Klok. We conclude with a fine strong coffee, and unlike last year when it was just a plain cup, this time there is a freshly baked, crackling madeleine alongside it. Délicieux!

Restaurant De Klok, located in the heart of Leiden in a French-style alley, offers a cozy, historic atmosphere with a classic interior and an open kitchen. Led by host Marvin van der Bent, the restaurant specializes in classic French cuisine with a modern twist. The menu is small but excellent. An extensive wine list features both Old World and New World wines, with a trainee sommelier providing enthusiastic advice. Complementary wine pairings are available for the dishes. For starters, beautifully thinly sliced gravlax with a lightly tangy buttermilk dressing, mustard seeds, and dill sits alongside tuna tataki with raspberry, radish, pork belly, and corn elements. Both are delightful. Next up is the tournedos, which carries a rather steep surcharge. However, the preparation is textbook perfect. The meat is served with foie gras and Madeira jus, paired here with a powerful 2020 Rosso di Montalcino. The cheese board presents five cheeses with a lovely flavor progression. Service is knowledgeable and attentive, and you truly get your money's worth here—except for the coffee. It arrives rather plain, without a cookie or other sweet finisher. That could be a touch more hospitable. Welcome to Lekker!