Carpe Diem (Rijswijk, Netherlands): A Tasteem Review
Sometimes, when you are looking for a place to eat, you are looking for something that isn't too high class, where you don't have to dress up or spend too much and where kids are going to be welcome. Somewhere, where you can just eat some ordinary food, nothing fancy....
The Space
Carpe Diem is one of these "comfy" places... there is ample outdoor seating (which we didnt take advantage of, as it is winter!), and also a relatively large indoor space. The decor is mostly dark wood based, and I feel they they are going for the old style "smoking room" atmosphere! It's quite nice actually....
There is a piano in the centre of the space, which I'm not sure if it is used for live music... or if it is an ornamental piano for the atmosphere. If they chose, this would be a pretty nice music venue, as all the wood does give the place a decent enough acoustic.
There is also a well stocked cafe/bar area. This place really does seem to attract the local crowd seeing as it is really the only pub/bar in the local surrounds, and the central location in the main shopping area makes it an easy place to meet friends.
The Menu
The lunch menu is pretty un-assuming, pretty standard Dutch cafe fare. Sandwiches, Burgers, Toasties, Soups and Salads.... nothing fancy, just simple foods!
In a similar fashion, the dinner menu is also pretty stock standard Dutch fare. Chicken Sate skewers, Daily special dishes and Spare Ribs are the familiar favourites....
The Food
We were here for lunch as a break whilst we were in the area, and although the food was quite simple, they did take a bit of care with the presentation... okat, it's not a Michelin star or a gastro-pub, but there are other places that would just slop stuff on a plate and call it a day!
For me, I can't resist trying out a new burger... and this time was no different. However, I do get to an age where my stomach starts to disagree with my choices, but I'm still in a bit of denial about that... Anyhow, the burger (and chips) were quite good, but I'm not really sure about the wisdom of a soft-fried egg on a burger... it is tasty, but gets really messy!
Meanwhile, my wife is predictable in her own way... Tomato soup with bread. Actually, again it was surprisingly good! Bread was decent and the soup was good as well, normally these things can be way too salty or just tipped out from a can....
Meanwhile, the kids had a Ham and Cheese toastie, which is a pretty standard meal for Netherlands! You don't see it here, but they have it with Tomato Sauce (Ketchup for non-English speakers)... bleah... but they love it...
The Experience
... well, sometimes you are just looking to stop in for a quick and non-fancy feed. Somewhere with food that is decent, but not expensive and where you taste buds aren't too challenged by new ideas!
Carpe Diem fits the bill... it has decent food, without being over the top in any way, shape or form. I quite liked it, and would be curious to revisit if they had live music!
Would I return? Well, yes... if I was in the area. However, it isn't really a place that you make a special trip just to eat there... unless you had friends that you were meeting for a quick drink!
Opening Times
Monday 9am–7pm
Tuesday 9am–7pm
Wednesday 9am–7pm
Thursday 9am–10pm
Friday 9am–7pm
Saturday 9am–7pm
Sunday 9am–7pm
Contact Details
Address: Bogaardplein 7, 2284 DP Rijswijk, Netherlands
Phone: +31 70 396 6500
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.carpediem.nl/
Account banner by jimramones
.gif)
Restaurant Information
Carpe Diem
Bogaardplein 7, 2284 DP Rijswijk, Netherlands
This post participated in the Tasteem contest Your weekly choice
The place is looks old but gold. :)
A good choice.
#tasteem-curation
Thank you, the old style styling is quite pleasant! Thanks for the curation!
I agree that sometimes you just need some comfort nice food that will make you feel good. Nothing fancy but simply hearty and delicious. Unfortunately there are not that many vegan places like this so I usually get this at home :D
The menu indeed looks typically Dutch - even though there are not that many true Dutch dishes on it. It's so funny how tosti are popular there. You can find them everywhere. Even my Indonesian in laws made them for us all the time before we went vegan. Now we get a healthier option with sun dried tomatoes, pesto and avocado :)
It looks like a nice place to hang out with your friends. Just a pity that it's only open till 7. I prefer when places are not open everyday but they are open till a bit later (like 10 PM or so)
Thank you for a nice review! (I would go for tomato soup :))
That sounds like an interesting twist on the toastie! I really should experiment with some added stuff on the standard cheese and mustard that I normally have... And the kids are always cheese and ham!
I do find it strange that they (kids as well...) enjoy it with tomato sauce!
And I've ever tried mustard! :) Sounds like a good idea :)
If it's a tomato sauce then I would give it a go.. if it's ketchup then I'm with you on this one :D
I use hot English mustard, just be careful when it is hot and you breathe in the hot air from inside the toastie, you can get a choking fit from the mustard!
I see that you have some experience already :D
I had some tomato soup the other day and it was delicious, that that one looks just as good. If Im ever in the Netherlands and in the area Ill have to check it out.
Tomato soup at a restaurant can be a risky one... It is either really good or terrible!
It looks comfortable. just looking at the picture is very tempting
It was nice and comfortable setting... nice to remember for future trips!
That Tomato soup with bread looks so yummy!
Apparently it was! I stuck to my burger!
The burger looks great and I love to see people who said I will come back for another try :D
It should be yum!
The burger was pretty decent! Unexpected for a local "pub" sort of place...
Looks like a pretty nice and cozy place! I'm a big fan of "simple" foods in a comfortable ambience.
Yes, it's nice to have this simpler experience! Although, sometimes it is also nice to treat yourself!
Carpe Diem is a cool name for an eatery and you make me want to eat there.
So many people like the name! To be honest, I didn't notice until everyone started pointing it out!
here from the Power House Creatives rally upvotes page, loved the photos and the food looked equally beautiful :)
Thanks, it was a very nice place to eat... Not fancy, but comfy!
Comfy matters more, fency is just a lot of money with less taste. Good choice
I really like the dark chocolately tones of your photographs @bengy. The bright colours of the stained glass windows give a really lovely light accent to the darker furnishings. ♥︎♥︎⚖️♥︎♥︎
Thanks! Nice that you liked the photos, I didn't really think they were quite my strong point!
I have to admit finding it hard to look at photographs of food a lot of the time. Mainly because I eat very simply myself ~ Fruit and vegetables fresh from our organic farmers market. But I do love photographs of paraphernalia and old worldly atmospheres. Although in life, I prefer to be outside in a natural environment. ♥︎♥︎⚖️♥︎♥︎