Central Park Voorburg: the undiscovered gem near The Hague where you can truly unwind

Just a stone’s throw from The Hague, fifteen minutes from Rotterdam and around forty minutes from Amsterdam, Central Park Voorburg lies hidden among the greenery. Highly recommended for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.

Upon arrival

Wait, let’s start at the beginning: the beautiful listed monument that houses Central Park, reassuringly named Vreugd en Rust. It shares its name with the surrounding park. Built as a country house in the 18th century, this stately listed monument now serves as a restaurant with a boutique hotel.

First: champagne

Once seated, Central Park has four beautifully decorated dining rooms, we are welcomed with champagne—and if you ask me, that is always a good idea, especially when it is served in top-notch champagne glasses by the Austrian company Zalto. This company specializes in mouth-blown, feather-light glasses in which the champagne—in this case Roger Manceaux—comes into its own even more. We raise a toast while looking out over the perfectly maintained garden, where it must be wonderful to relax when the weather allows.

On the menu

You don’t come to Central Park only for the beautiful location, but also for the ‘fine dining experience’, prepared with seasonal ingredients. SVH Master Host Joey de Kruijf enthusiastically explains the menu. There is a 4-, 5- or 6-course Chef’s Menu, a Deluxe Menu and various à la carte dishes.

Wine lover? Jackpot!

For wine lovers, this place is a real treat; the wine list features more than 1,000 wines from around the world. The wine list recently won an award: it received the Best of Award of Excellence 2021, presented by the international organization WineSpectator. Finding it hard to choose? Ask for advice! And even better, the wines are also served in beautiful Zalto glasses. Burgundy in a huge glass, allowing it to breathe properly; it always looks spectacular too—does that make the wine taste even better? Surely!

Beetroot kroepoek

A bowl of striking kroepoek made from beetroot is placed on the table. Also on the table: salted farmhouse butter and a beautifully wrapped bread roll that is delicious too. It’s gone before we know it.

Recommended: the house-smoked eel

We let the chef surprise us, and one beautiful plate after another arrives at the table. Such as the glazed, house-smoked eel—a delicious and refined dish. The eel is incredibly flavorful, and the savory sauce provides a lovely counterpoint to the fatty fish. The crispy chicken skin and freshly picked beans complete the dish.

Foie gras, ooh la la

Foie gras is incredibly delicious, but hardly anyone dares to say so anymore. Gavage—the French term for force-feeding—makes this tempting luxury food, to put it mildly, rather controversial. But when foie gras is produced ethically, you can enjoy it responsibly. It is creamy, sweet and silky smooth, and that buttery, unctuous texture is unlike anything else. Here, they serve the foie on a piece of witch flounder, which, incidentally, is not a type of sole but a fairly firm flatfish that pairs wonderfully with the richness of the goose liver.

Egg with Parmesan and truffle: a winner!

Another favorite is the egg with winter truffle and Parmesan cheese. A wonderful combination! Egg and truffle are a match made in heaven anyway; a delicious fluffy omelet is considered one of the best vehicles for freshly shaved or grated truffle.  The crispy Parmesan completes the dish.

Soothing: boats along the Vliet

We look at each other: we have it pretty good here. Wonderful wines, delicious food, beautiful surroundings, friendly service—and then there is the calming view of the greenery. Every now and then, a boat passes by—we are sitting on the Vliet. In the Middle Ages, the Vliet was an important link between the Oude Rijn and Maas rivers. Today, the Vliet is a canal running from Leiden via Voorschoten, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Rijswijk and Delft to Rotterdam.

Dessert

No room left for dessert (because, like us, you couldn’t stop eating the bread)? Then be sure to try the petits fours. The madeleines are exactly what you hope for: unbelievably delicious, with a crisp exterior and warm, gooey center. And if you like tea, there is even a separate tea menu! (Tip: the jasmine tea!)

No, you don’t have to go home tonight

And the best part is that you don’t have to go home, because Central Park Voorburg has 14 luxury suites and rooms overlooking the garden or the expansive park.

Central Park Voorburg, Oosteinde 14, Voorburg

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Images: Central Park Voorburg