Nalu Beach (Bar), Scheveningen

Nalu Beach is smooth like a freshly powdered baby’s butt.
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Plywood floorboards, wooden tables, comfy nylon chairs, muted lights, roaring open fires complemented by acid jazz/lounge-y beach music—these are the reasons why Nalu Beach Bar is one of my favorite hang-outs at Scheveningen Beach.

There’s just this laid back vibe about this place that I can’t quite put my finger on but picture this: sitting back with your legs up, the sun shining in your face as it casts its rays as it goes through its slow descent—blissful relaxation.

It's great during sunset but even better at night with the flickering fire and the accompanying shadow play. The food is average (burgers, fries, ribs, etc...) and the bar really isn't that big but I like the place anyway.

Must try: ask for the traditional Dutch kopstoot (roughly translated as headbutt)!

Conclusion:
Four pawikan points! Bonus points for the steady wait staff who are friendly, efficient and unobtrusive. Pay them a visit and tell bartenders Natasja and Sasja that reviewsbyp sent you.

Mambo Bar, Scheveningen

I’ve tasted Dirty Girl Scout’s underwear (shaken with crushed ice!) and it’s definitely a guilty pleasure.

No, I’m not a pervert—dirty girl scout’s underwear (€10) is a cocktail concoction from another one of my favorite haunts at Scheveningen—Mambo.

It’s a potent mixture of vodka, triple sec, crushed mint, strawberries (and girl scouts!) shaked with crushed ice in a steel tumbler. Serves up to 6 shots and after two or three of these babies, you’ll be ready to dance on tables.

Chill-out music and a smaller, cozier, everyone-is-welcome vibe makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.
Conclusion:
Four pawikan points. Bonus points for the entertaining wait staff. Ask the muscular bartender to give the girl scout’s underwear an extra kick. After you’re all giggly and tipsy, ask the waiter to show you some magic tricks and prepare to be amazed. Tell them reviewsbyp sent you and maybe they’ll give you a beer on the house.

La Lanterna, Scheveningen

It's not gourmet and fine-dining but it's affordable, comforting Italian food coupled with a warm, friendly vibe suitable for all-night story telling.
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Nestled along Keizerstraat at Scheveningen is a franchise of the big La Lanterna chain of Italian restaurants.

I don't usually review restaurant chains but this I particularly like. It's easy to forget you're in the Netherlands from the moment you step inside. The jovial manager, Mario greets everyone with a friendly smile and a firm handshake. His staff barely speak English and are even more fluent in Italian than Dutch. Grazie!

The place is decorated with bottles of wine hanging from the roof and the pizza oven is in plain view. This gives off some warmth which is great during winter however you end up smelling like pizza after dinner. But that's ok since you'll also smell like cigarette smoke anyway because of all the Dutch lighting up indoors.

I recommend the seafood risotto dribbled with chili oil. The thin-crust pizzas are made fresh and are affordable and filling at €8. (Portions are big enough for two asians to share.) I wasn't too happy with the lasagna-- too rich and creamy to have by itself.

Rating:
Four pawikan points. Bonus points for the complimentary marsala dessert wine that Mario offers to everyone. It's not really a date place but come here with a big group or if you want to have a quick, no-nonsense meal. Drink a lot of wine and don't be shy-- boisterous laughter won't be out of place.

Crazy Pianos, Scheveningen

Crazy Pianos by the boulevard at Scheveningen has talented pianists but so-so food.
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Among the many many pubs along Scheveningen, Crazy Pianos is the only one that's got decent live music and is packed late at night.

Every evening there are pairs of keyboardists that entertain the audience by playing requests and making playful banter. It's amusing because the Dutch ask for some pretty strange songs and it's quite an experience to hear Tom Jones' Sex Bomb and the Theme From Baywatch being played on a piano.

My favorite performers are Kevin Owen from Canada and James Byron from UK. They're very good if they manage to finish a song but half the time they're clowning around and trying their hardest to get the audience to sing along.

The food is average but comes in huge portions so sharing is not such a bad idea. A three course dinner costs about EUR20 and I had the tuna appetizer, fried fish over pasta and a berry dessert thingie. Nothing fancy.

Conclusion:3.5/5
Three and a half pawikan points. Minus points for those of us who can't speak Dutch because the performers are bilingual and switch between Dutch and English. It's free entrance before 9pm but the place fills up pretty quickly so if you decide to visit, come early.
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To get here, take tram 9, alight at the Kurhaus stop and walk towards the beach. Crazy Pianos will be along the boulevard.