De Hems
Yesterday I met with some friends at De Hems, which is a Dutch Pub in Soho (I’m still recovering a bit to be honest). I had never been there before but picked it because I learned that it used to be the place where Dutch resistance met during the Second World War after the Dutch government and the Queen had fled to London. That’s quite a story for a Pub, don’t you think?
I was surprised by the large crowd, gathering outside! Everybody had a beer in their hands and enjoyed the still quite warm weather - at least for an October evening. “Gezellig” comes to mind, a word with which the Dutch describe a gathering of friends celebrating anything or just sitting together having fun.
The inside of the Pub is cosy but different to English Pubs in some ways. Not so much “Plüsch” - I just can’t think of the English word for it. We managed to get a table on the wall opposite the bar. The tables and chairs were high and very comfortable. This also has the effect that you are the same height as people standing! I had white wine which was nice but unfortunately only the first glass was nicely chilled. But then again, who orders wine in a Dutch Pub in the first place…
They serve a variety of Dutch and Belgian beer of which my favourites are Heineken and Hoegaarden. Especially Hoegaarden is very refreshing and usually served with a slice of lemon. I used to be not much of a beer person, but after spending a year at University in Amsterdam it kind of grew on me. You can’t help it really.
The other fun thing is that you can order some Dutch specialties like Bitterballen. I really don’t want to know what they put in these little fried crusty balls, but they taste very good, especially if you crave something harty along with your beer. You can order 6 for £3,- if you want to try them first. I was missing a portie kaas though, (rather large) cubes of Gouda which are come with mustard to dip them in.
I felt very comfortable in this Pub! We stayed until the last round was served, the lights were turned on (a pretty cruel way to end an evening…) and took the night bus home.
De Hems
11 Macclesfield Street
London W1D 5BW
020 7437 2494
Look it up on the map