De Herbergier

Schin op Geul is a small town. It is located in, probably, one of the most picturesque parts of the hilly southern Netherlands, more accurately in South Limburg... Incidentally, this is the same part of the Netherlands which at nearby Margraten is home to the country's sole American WWII cemetery. Hundreds of mostly young Americans, back in September 1944, liberated the region from Nazi occupation, hundreds paying the ultimate price. The cemetery is beautifully maintained. Cruising this countryside can be a genuine pleasure... Small towns, hamlets, churches, country roads, crucifixes or small chapels at some old road intersections, they all remind the visitor that this used to be solidly Catholic country. I said, used to be, because a younger Dutch generation, upon closer acquaintance, appears just as non-religious, egotistically consumer-oriented, history-empty, culturally confused as in all parts of the so-called advanced industrial world... But, leaving personal biases behind, back to the subject at hand. While cruising down above roads, my two female companions, an older sister and cousin had developed a bit of an appetite. Suddenly, a curve in the road displayed this side-walk fronted inn, informing the passing traveler with the help of hand-written blackboard signs of a range of à la carte options... Some of the items looked promising. Why not give it a try? The place turned out quite busy. I'm guessing here, most of the guests appeared locals. The familiar greetings by guests and service staff suggested the same. Yet another incidental, good advice anytime, but especially when traveling abroad, try to find out where the locals go when eating out! Onto our personal experience, my sister and cousin ordered the 3-course menu: soup, salad, a chicken breast main dish, fries, and a dessert to top it off. I asked for the posted fish and chips. Bread and butter reached the table first. We also began with two beers and in the course of the dinner ordered a softdrink and 3 bottled water. The Dutch, other than Americans and most other Europeans, are not yet in the habit of serving plain tap water... Of course, it's all about the money. However, I wouldn't want to be unfair. Most important, compliments to the chef... The food turned out excellent. Whoever runs the kitchen must know his business. The portions were generous and all attractive plate service. The dessert option the ladies wished for turned out a generous ice-cream, whipped cream fantasy. Nothing to complain about. Personally, the most pleasant surprise came when asking for the check. It all came out to 52.25 euros... Believe me, to feed 3 adults in Holland, in pleasant surroundings, such is value for the money. Very reasonable indeed by Dutch and European standards... Last words: the service level was pleasant, too. Young attractive girls, probably part-timers (who knows, students?), were generally quick around when flagged for one or the other additional request. Yes, this eatery, which presents itself in local regional fashion as a "Burgundian brasserie" - a familiar local reference and also a bit of a take-off on such more modest eateries in next-door Belgium and nearby France - is well worth a visit... Tell them, Joost from Las Vegas, in fact, a native of the Netherlands, sent you... Who knows, it may get me a free beer next time I visit...