Restaurant Christian

Chef Christian van der Linden and his wife and hostess, Margot, run an idyllic living-room-style restaurant housed in a beautiful historic peat mill on the edge of The Hague city center. Both boast successful careers in the hospitality industry, and this is evident in both the atmosphere and the cuisine. Margot’s hospitality is truly exceptional, and from Christian’s diminutive kitchen come the most exquisite dishes. Guests can dine on the ground floor, while the mezzanine area is perfect for enjoying an aperitif. On warm summer days, it is delightful to relax in the spacious, meticulously maintained garden. The menu features à la carte selections alongside “Menu Christian,” a multi-course tasting experience, and “Menu Christian Speciaal,” an eight-course meal that includes an aperitif, wine, water, and coffee. The bouillabaisse, brimming with North Sea fish, crustaceans, and shellfish, is exactly as it should be: rich, creamy, robust, and generously packed with impeccably fresh seafood. The sliced wild duck, served with its own jus and endive preparations, is equally outstanding. Furthermore, the portions are generously plated, as Christian steers clear of miniature servings. We conclude with a cup of excellent coffee and the firm conviction that dining at Christian’s is an experience worth writing home about.

Chef-owner Christian van der Linden and his wife and hostess Margot have spent years in the hospitality industry, gaining experience at various top restaurants. Since 2019, they have run a cozy restaurant housed in a magnificent historic octagonal windmill, the Nieuwe Veenmolen, on the outskirts of The Hague. The atmosphere is intimate, and the approach of both Christian and Margot is downright disarming. With only sixteen covers, the snug dining room fills up quickly. Christian prepares a pure cuisine free of unnecessary frills and loves using the Kamado grill. There is a choice of à la carte dishes that are on the pricier side, but there are also plenty of more reasonably priced multi-course menus. The 'Menu Christian' is crafted around daily fresh ingredients. From the tiny kitchen emerge beautifully presented dishes such as sea bass with a delicious vinaigrette and a salad of pickled vegetables. The fragrant bouillabaisse is also excellent, generously loaded with North Sea fish, crustaceans, and shellfish. This time, we pass on the sweet treats from Margot's dessert cart and finish the meal with a classic: pear from their own garden with pan-fried duck liver. Well worth it. Christian is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Lunch is available upon request.

In the over 250-year-old peat mill on the outskirts of The Hague, a unique and welcoming atmosphere prevails. This is due not only to the wonderful ambiance but also to the straightforward approach of owners, chef Christian and hostess Margot van de Linden, who treat their guests with dedication and care. While enjoying the aperitif on the first floor, we are offered a tour of the restored mill. The dining experience begins in the cozy, living-room-style restaurant on the ground floor, which seats just sixteen guests. From his tiny kitchen, Christian conjures up one exquisite dish after another. Take, for example, the succulent grilled scallops served with celeriac and a refined truffle sauce. The veal sweetbreads are also a highlight: a generous portion, crisply fried and served with Jerusalem artichokes, fresh morels, and a light mushroom foam. For the main course, the North Sea turbot is incredibly fresh and accompanied by vegetables from their own garden. The pan-seared ray fillet, paired with slow-cooked pork belly and a roast jus deglazed with soy, is equally outstanding. We round off the meal with Margot’s signature offering—the dessert trolley. As a former pastry chef, she presents an impressive selection: petit fours (meringue lemon and chocolate), crème brûlée, mascarpone mousse with rhubarb, fresh fruit, and a variety of ice creams. Choosing is difficult, but you are free to sample as much as you like. And all of this comes at a very reasonable price. A destination you will undoubtedly want to visit again and again.

The location is stunning, housed in the fully restored Nieuwe Veenmolen on the outskirts of The Hague. Chef Christian and hostess Margot van der Linden are the owners, and rightly so—they are veterans of the hospitality scene. On fine weather days, aperitifs can be enjoyed in the spacious surrounding garden. The dining area is limited, with room for about sixteen guests inside the mill itself, so reservations are an absolute must. From the maestro’s tiny kitchen come beautiful and substantial creations, occasionally elevated with exciting touches. This is proven by the amuse of smoked beetroot tartare paired with a piece of spring herring, crème fraîche, caviar, and chive oil—a flavorful start. There is both à la carte and set menu options. We savor perfectly cooked sea bass pan-seared skin-side down, accompanied by roasted split river crayfish, vegetables from their own garden, and a creamy, lightly tangy vinaigrette. Beautifully balanced in flavor with lovely structure. The main course also delights: Dutch beef rump with mushrooms, garden peas, and braised spring onions, served alongside a potato soufflé and a rich wine jus. Presented on a rustic dark plate. In the glass, a full-bodied 2016 Château Hourtou. We get our glasses refilled, which we’ll see reflected later on the bill. The dessert is pure indulgence: a trolley (Margot’s dessert cart) featuring various small cakes, mini crème brûlées, fresh fruity sorbets, and matching syrups, from which you can choose as much as you like. The guests visibly enjoy themselves. Upstairs in the mill, there is a separate space for private gatherings. A lovely spot. Welcome to Lekker!