Writing this & posting new review quickly on a ferry between North & South Island, New Zealand. Norm...
Writing this & posting new review quickly on a ferry between North & South Island, New Zealand. Normal service will be resumed upon my return! Stand by for lots of NZ info ...
Member since:23.05.2007
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INTRODUCTION
Here is a look at yet another bar on Breda's main square, Grote Markt. Whilst not being the first choice, and in fact is quite empty during the winter evenings, if not closed, it is not without its charms as I will elaborate.
THE BAR
Situated in the middle of Grote Markt, Het Voske in on the opposite side of the road to its main rivals, and jostles with them for outside seating areas in the summer. As their seats are on the end of this arrangement, it can be easy to miss this bar and in fact it was by accident that I ended up sitting there in the first place. You can tell which tables belong to which bar from the menus on the table and type of chairs deployed, as I was to discover.
Inside the small bar itself, there is a dark wooden, traditional feel to it, which quite appeals to me. In common with many bars in Breda the effect makes you think of an unspoilt, traditional bar, which is in keeping with the pretty town of Breda in general. As you walk in, there are tables to either side, with the bar facing you right at the back, the toilets being behind the bar. You can sit at the bar on high chairs, but I think this is usually the preserve of the waiting staff. There are about 10 or so medium sized tables and a couple of small ones inside. I have never seen this place packed, it's usually half or so full in the winter months, and in the summer these are the tables outside that are usually filled last.
Custom widely ranges from old men nursing their beers to groups of youngsters on their way for a big night out. The old men seem to prevail in daylight hours over the weekend. It seems to me that in The Netherlands, particularly in the South, people of all ages seem to mix more freely when it comes to drinking venues. This is actually quite nice and a change from the age segregation that, in my opinion, you see more and more these days in city centres in the UK.
THE MENU
There is the usual selection of sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, salads, soups and beer on offer here. I have to confess that I haven't eaten there so I can't comment on the food. It looks decent enough from what I've seen, though.
The strong point here is that there are lots of beers, on offer, including Jupiler on tap and Palm and Duvel in bottles, as you'd expect from its competitors. My favourite is the white beer Wiske Witte, which you can't seem to get in any of the other bars on Grote Markt. This to me is the number one selling point, with the friendly service a close second. This really is the best weiss beer I've had in the Netherlands, even better than Hoegaarden. A little tip is to ask for lemon with it, and it comes complete with a little stick with a masher on the end of it - quite fun to play with! You will never get lemon with a weissbeer unless you specifically ask for it in the Netherlands.
As for the coffee, there is a nice cappuccino; small as usual, served with a ginger biscuit, frothy with a sprinkling of chocolate. At 2 Euros this represents the usual price usual price.
CONCLUSION
It's usually easier to get a seat here outside in the summer and I would go here for the beer alone. In the winter it's quite cosy at weekends and I find it an excellent place to hide. A must for weiss beer aficionados!
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (97%):
