Cottontree City by Dimitri

Cottontree by Dimitri is – contrary to what the name might suggest – a modern French bistro, featuring red banquettes, a cozy interior, and above all, a beautiful terrace on the historic Lange Voorhout in The Hague. Chef Dimitri Heinrichs has been cooking here for years, preparing dishes in a French style using fresh daily ingredients. Restaurant manager Manon Heinrichs and sommelier Ronald Lindeboom complete the team that runs this establishment with great passion. The three-course menu is exceptionally well-priced, delivering a quality that is truly noteworthy. For those who prefer to choose their own dishes, there is both an à la carte menu and a selection of classics featuring items such as scallops and sweetbread. The wine list focuses primarily on French and European references. Alcohol-free options are still scarce, apart from a single alcohol-free cocktail. It is highly recommended to leave your wine selection to the sommelier, as the wine pairing is fantastic. The starter is hamachi tartare with avocado, aji amarillo, mint, and mini corn, presented with freshness and elegance. It pairs wonderfully with the Cueva del Chaman, Sobre Lias, an organic Spanish Verdejo aged on its lees. The crispy fried sweetbread, accompanied by silky veal cheek, pumpkin, veal jus, and pumpkin seeds, is matched with a cherry-red Artuke 2024, named after the winemaking brothers Arturo and Kike Blanco. This comes from a small Spanish family winery founded by Miguel Blanco in 1991. We finish with jasmine and rice ice quenelles, served alongside a mousse of Thai basil, coconut, baba au cake, and kalamansi. Naturally, this calls for a glass of fine dessert wine in the form of a classic sparkling Massimo Rattalino Duo Moscato d’Asti. Do not forget to order coffee or tea, as the madeleines served are simply unbeatable!

In this atmospheric contemporary bistro with a The Hague-style fin-de-siècle chic décor, owner-chef Dimitri Heinrichs makes no distinction between starter, intermezzo, or main course. All à la carte dishes are similarly prepar...

Upon entering, a photograph reminds us of days gone by, when a cabinet formation was still being finalized over dinner in The Hague at what was then known as Bistroquet. Cottontree City offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where you can truly enjoy the culinary offerings. Owner-chef Dimitri Heinrichs infuses his dishes with bold flavors, which we immediately notice with the amuse: a velvety sweet potato mousse served with tapenade and spicy mayonnaise. A complimentary bread roll with butter and olive oil is served alongside it. We rarely come across bread this crispy. From the à la carte menu, we order the celeriac cannelloni with onion, truffle, and a Jerusalem artichoke cream. It’s a lovely combination of earthy, slightly sweet, and savory flavors. The firm texture of the celeriac pairs perfectly with the rich Jerusalem artichoke cream. We pair it with a glass of Palomino Fino from Jerez. This sherry-style white wine was originally selected by sommelier Ronald Lindeboom to accompany the monkfish—our next course—but it turns out to work just as well with the celeriac. The monkfish arrives in thick, well-grilled chunks nestled in a frothy saffron sauce, accompanied by mussels, small cubes of chorizo, and roasted vegetables. Opting for the classic menu, we choose the crispy pan-fried brisket with veal cheek, pumpkin purée, and veal jus. Brisket can be incredibly flavorful, provided it isn’t too dry inside and has a crisp exterior—and that’s exactly the case here. It’s served with a ravioli filled with a tender veal cheek ragout (whose pastry could have been slightly thinner), light pumpkin purée, and a rich jus. The à la carte sides we order separately—crispy thick-cut fries with tangy mayonnaise and a classic iceberg lettuce salad with gherkins—are excellent. We’re delighted by the chocolate mousse paired with blood orange sorbet. It features a petite dome of rich chocolate mousse filled with a bright citrus crèmeux and blood orange segments, finished with a crisp, lightly salted biscuit, a wedge of blood orange, and a delicate foam. Served alongside is a refreshing blood orange sorbet. A perfect finale.

For several years now, owner-chef Dimitri and hostess Manon Heinrichs have been running their classic French bistro on the chic Lange Voorhout, lined with rustling tall trees and numerous embassies. The interior, featuring fire-red plush benches and small tables, instantly immerses you in a Parisian atmosphere. The vibe is exceptionally relaxed, and the service earns high praise for being disarmingly warm, welcoming, and highly skilled all at once. The menu consists of twelve dishes in starter-sized portions offered at a fixed price, alongside a selection of about five classics. The chef can also surprise guests with a three-, four-, or five-course menu. We begin with juicy North Sea crab paired with apple, cucumber, and mustard mayonnaise, followed by perfectly pan-fried scallops topped with Serrano ham, accompanied by endive, sea beans, and a luscious beurre blanc. Skilled sommelier Ronald Lindeboom expertly pairs the dish with a 2022 Vermentino from Cantine di Dolianova Prendas in Sardinia, creating a perfectly harmonious experience. The steak tartare is prepared tableside and served with fries, house-made mayonnaise, and iceberg lettuce with gherkins. After a grilled skate wing with tomatoes, capers, gherkins, and balsamic vinaigrette, we conclude with an absolute classic: Crêpe Suzette with orange, vanilla ice cream, and a separate cocktail glass containing orange liqueur and crème suisse. All of this comes at a very reasonable price. Voilà!

You could easily mistake it for being in the Parisian neighborhood of Montmartre, but this urban bistro is actually located on Lange Voorhout, an upscale part of The Hague. Owner-chef Dimitri and hostess-sommelier Manon Heinrichs have managed to attract many local diners with their culinary offerings served in half-portion sizes at reasonable prices. And the selection is vast. It's comfortable sitting on the eye-catching fire-red plush benches at tables that aren't fully dressed but are neatly arranged with linen napkins, creating a relaxed atmosphere. We quickly receive a basket of warm seeded bread accompanied by spreadable butter, sea salt, and olive oil, which doesn't appear on our bill. The feast begins with six oysters simply served with lime and shallot vinaigrette. Next, we enjoy well-grilled prawns with bok choy, glass noodles, and Bangkok sauce – a spicy Thai sauce with a coconut flavor. Paired with a perfectly complementary Pinot Grigio from Villa Chiòpris in Friuli. The next dish features excellently pan-fried ray wings with capers, artichoke, and beurre noisette. To finish, a classic apple tarte tatin with caramel and homemade vanilla ice cream. Nothing more to ask for; a delightful spot.

For years, this establishment—formerly Le Bistroquet—was plagued by the security measures of its neighbor, the U.S. Embassy: at times, a tank would even be parked right next to your set terrace table! Once the embassy’s diplomatic functions ceased, things seemed to return to normal, until the city began renovating the sewers and streetscape: once again, fences were erected around the restaurant for an extended period. Fortunately, the view over the car-free Voorhout and its stunning facades has been fully restored. The covered terrace is once again the perfect spot to evoke that quintessential Couperus atmosphere, while the interior has been efficiently reconfigured. Owner-chef Dimitri Heinrichs is once again serving meticulously prepared, flavorful dishes paired with excellent wines. The menu features delicacies sized like starters but offered at uniform pricing, alongside a few higher-priced 'classics'. We sample delicious grilled octopus slices served with a medley of pumpkin, bulgur, macadamia nuts, and black olives. Also on offer are roasted gambas with glass noodles, pak choi, and an Asian-inspired sauce. Beautifully presented dishes! We pair them with glasses of pale yellow Viognier from Yves Cuilleron—a truly delightful wine. The main courses also impress: roasted quail served with couscous, chickpeas, and button mushrooms, alongside pan-fried veal shank with eggplant, butter lettuce, and a mustard-infused veal jus. To finish, we have classic Crêpes Suzette with orange, Grand Marnier, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. An outstanding venue.

The long name of this establishment by Dimitri and Manon Heinrichs remains a bit of a talking point. Hence, it is often simply referred to as Cottontree. In this modern urban bistro in The Hague’s Museum Quarter, chef Dimitri prepares classic French cuisine with great craftsmanship, new techniques, and unabated enthusiasm, creating affordable, honest, and flavorful dishes. The menu consists of choices sized like a light course, all at the same price. Additionally, several familiar classics—such as steak tartare, crispy fried sweetbread, or duck liver terrine—are available to order, falling into a higher price segment. Regarding the coronavirus crisis, Dimitri says: “It gave us the chance to put the finishing touches on things. We’ve emerged stronger as entrepreneurs and as a team. We will make sure we can build on the stable foundation we now have.” The wine list is extensive, with a generous selection of wines available by the glass. During the day, you can stop by for coffee or tea accompanied by homemade treats. Or in the afternoon for a drink with bites ranging from oysters and shrimp croquettes to spare rib fingers. Perfect for savoring on sunny summer days out on the spacious terrace.

In The Hague, it is considered highly tasteless: two iconic restaurants, Le Bistroquet on the Lange Voorhout and De Seinpost in Scheveningen, were taken over by a new owner and abruptly stripped of their names in favor of the incomprehensible label ‘Cottontree’. The Seinpost location (now Cottontree Mer) has since closed, while the city branch, Cottontree City, is managing to hold its own for now. This is thanks largely to a major renovation and the fact that the grim security detail around the former US embassy next door has been removed. The credit for this success goes to head chef Dimitri Heinrichs, who approaches his craft with artisanal finesse and genuine culinary joy. His menu reads like a list of delicacies, all portioned like a starter and priced identically. Hostess Manon Heinrichs pairs them with beautiful and occasionally affordable wines. We are seated on the leafy terrace, sampling half a lobster, gently cooked and served with pearl barley and salted lemon, alongside a signature dish: duck liver terrine with truffle, honey, and apple. Delicious starters, accompanied by glasses of pleasant Crozes-Hermitage Blanc from Yann Chave, a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. For the main course: monkfish. Exemplarily pan-fried, with a tasty accompaniment of polenta, chorizo, and savoy cabbage. On the other plate, grilled prawns with glass noodles, pak choi, and kimchi. Simply delightful. To finish, an old-school delicious tarte tatin. This ‘bistro’ is definitely here to stay!

Just outside the city center on the beautiful Lange Voorhout, we find Cottontree City, by Dimitri. Dimitri Heinrichs has been running the kitchen here for years, and it seems to be improving steadily in this sleek, modern establishment. There are no starters, middle courses, or main courses here, but rather a selection of beautiful small dishes (roughly starter-sized), all at a very pleasant price. The cuisine is French-oriented with fusion influences. The thinly sliced fresh tuna turns out not to be quite as thin, but it is delicious with fresh notes of cucumber, avocado mousse, fried onions, and dashi. On the other beautiful porcelain plate, we find smoked eel fillet with sweet-fresh watermelon, salty herring roe, and crispy seaweed. Dimitri’s hospitable and friendly partner, Manon Heinrichs-Hemmink, has replaced Jan Lindeboom and now pours the wines. The spiced Iberian pork sausage is a bit on the dry side; a sauce would have been welcome here, but the perfectly cooked turbot fillet is excellent. The flavor of the white chocolate panna cotta is sublime, accompanied by beautiful Lambada strawberries and basil sponge cake. The cheese selection is also of high quality. Epoisses, Shropshire Blue, a regional Swiss Alpine cheese, Cabécou (goat cheese from the Pyrenees), and Hervé (Belgian red-mold cheese) are served on a platter alongside delicious raisin bread. After coffee with homemade sweets, we settle a reasonable bill. The service still needs a bit more attention, but the kitchen is consistently excellent.