Encore by Simonis — Restaurant in The Hague

We have been here 3 times. This is the best food in town! The location is amazing too.

However... It is getting 4 stars today because as expensive as it is (and usually well worth it!) we were very disappointed with our most recent visit.

Good things first:

The cocktails are beautiful and delicious. The interior is sleek and modern. The taste of the food almost brings us to tears.

Menu items that are well worth it:

Asian Style Chicken - crispy, sweet, spicy, and with cashews that are cooked perfectly.

Surf and Turf Maki - It comes in a cloud of liquid nitrogen that is in no way decorative; It makes the outside ice cold and the inside still hot! It is also served with a real wasabi root as thick as your thumb.

Royal Cloud - Eat 'em fast though! They are perfect when they arrive, but are quite delicate so they go downhill fast.

Green Bean Tempura

Deep Fried Calamari

Chocolate Bomb - Kinda touristy, but you have to experience it to believe it! Also comes full of liquid nitrogen.

Menu Items That Are OK (great by Dutch standards, but underwhelming by international standards):

Tuna With Crispy Rice

Blackened Cod

Truffle Fries

Chicken Gyoza

OK. Let's talk about why this will sit at 4* rather than 5* until our next visit:

We came on Father's Day. They had a big event earlier than the day with a cover charge, so I suspect the whole crew were second stringers.

What follows is not normal for this establishment.

Our first waiter didn't bring us menus. We were handed off to a second waiter without comment, who immediately proceeded (after dropping the menus off without comment) to walk eight paces away and start texting on his phone.

The sparking water was room temperature. It is not normally.

The dish we were given had food dried on it.

The garnishes on the drinks were sub-standard; For instance a cinnamon stick that was burning two times before was unlit. The drink glasses had just come out of the washer and so were hot, bringing the drinks to room temperature when served.

The Asian Style Chicken, which we have had twice before and loved, was not cut into small pieces as it normally is. The cuts were ransom and if I'm not mistaken we got a half chicken breast completely uncut.

Finally there were bones in my cod.

These would all be expected at a €20 a person joint. But we pay more (€75 per person) and expect more.

Honestly I'm sure this will be back up to 5* next time we visit though. I can't stay mad at this place... They're awesome! We just came...

Hi! I do not even know where to start my feedback! Last Saturday we went to Encore by Simonis to celebrate my boyfriend's 30th Birthday. After being placed by the table we have only receive cocktails card. No menu card was provided to us. After 30 mins of waiting we were finally able to order our drinks. I understand it was busy that day, but this is something you would not expect from a place like this. When our cocktails were served, the waitress spilled my cocktail over the table. She did not cleaned it, nor apologized. Fine. We have finally received the menu card and ordered our food. I had a few questions regarding the dish, however waitress was not able to explain to me in English, so my Dutch boyfriend helped with translation. After another 30 mins of waiting only my dish has been served. My boyfriend had to wait another 15 mins for his dish to come, and I had to eat my dish cold because of waiting with him. I think it is a common policy that restaurant is trying to serve dishes at the same time so both of us can eat. Apparently this is not the case here. The food and cocktails were good, but not spectacular, as you would have expect for this price. Throughout all evening our orders were mistakenly served to another table, and orders from another table were served to us. It is not a big deal, but again, really annoying and something that you would not expect from a place like this. I understand it would be something extra, but there was no attention to my boyfriend's birthday at all (even though I made restaurant aware). The only girl at the entrance said "Congratulations" to him. I would honestly have expected a little compliment from the chef or a birthday shot. It is not hard to do but would really "win" the client over. Anyway, we paid almost a 100 euro for the terrible service and average food. Again, the food quality was good, but absolutely nothing special. It was very disappointing experience, especially on a special...

Encore in The Hague is an absolute gem that deserves every bit of praise. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality that truly set the tone for the evening.

The service, led by Cheyenne, was nothing short of exceptional. Her attention to detail, friendly demeanor, and genuine care for our dining experience elevated the evening to something truly memorable. She made us feel like valued guests, going above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect.

Now, let's talk about the food – it was nothing short of stunning. Each dish was thoughtfully crafted with a perfect balance of flavors and textures. And the desserts? Oh, they were simply divine! Encore has truly mastered the art of culinary excellence.

I must admit, while I personally found the experience a tad overpriced, it did not diminish the quality or enjoyment of the evening. Dining at Encore is an indulgence, but one that is undoubtedly worth it for the exceptional experience it offers. However, if the price is a concern for anyone, I completely understand. Fine dining experiences like this may not be for everyone, but for those willing to splurge on an unforgettable culinary journey, Encore is an absolute must-visit.

In all honesty, Encore ranks among the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. From the impeccable service to the exquisite food, every aspect of the dining experience exceeded my expectations. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. If you're in The Hague, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Encore. You won't be...