Strandpaviljoen Zuid

Strandpaviljoen Zuid's look is certainly not overly designed. Its interior is mostly unpained wood, with some comfortable leather chesterfields gathered around black tin hearths, old carpets on the floor, surfboards on the ceiling and beatiful chandeliers that look as if they're made of tiny shells. It has a homely feel that goes well with the wide views from its windows. Unlike the beach clubs around the Scheveningen boulevard, the ones at the Southern beach - which is where Zuid is located - are far away from each other and can only be reached through the large dune park south of Scheveningen. All of this gives the place a feeling of reclusiveness, especially when the sea is as rough as today.

We've cycled here on this Saturday morning. The Southern dune park is a quarter of an hour away from where we live and once inside, you wouldn't think that it's close to one of the Netherlands' larger cities, with its large empty spaces and beautiful, sloping dunes. The sky above is quite dramatic, with large white clouds drifting by at high speed. We missed our brunch last Monday, because we were in Amsterdam, where Rihanna Gaga had a great time with the four months old baby of friends. Because my friend was not feeling well, I was taking care of the baby and Rihanna Gaga felt responsible too, bringing me whatever I needed, reading her books for the baby and making drawings for her. So now, we're having this week's brunch on Saturday, which has its advantages as well, because it means that my girlfriend can join us.

Despite it being a Saturday morning, it's Monday-like quiet at Zuid, with only one other guest when we arrive. But from a distance, It's already clear that the hearths are on, with the smell of burned wood welcoming us and there is a decidedly cozy atmosphere inside. We gather around one of the hearths and order two breakfasts (€12,50) and a chocolate milk for Rihanna Gaga with one of the two waitresses that are caring for the place. Rihanna Gaga has quickly spotted a little corner, right next to the chesterfield that we're sitting on, where there are some toys, colouring books and pencils. She picks up a Hello Kitty doll and some colouring books and starts drawing.

The breakfast is a welcome change from the standard set served at most other beach clubs: a bowl of healthy muesli with fresh fruit, a large croissant, a loaf of wholewheat bread, a small jar of jam and butter, two slices of good cheese, a sliced avocado, freshly squeezed orange juice, latte macchiato and insanely good eggs that are served in a small frying pan but have the consistency of boiled eggs. Considering what other beach clubs offer and distance that the food has to travel before it is served here, this is definitely good value for money. It all tastes very good.

Rihanna Gaga plays a bit with the Hello Kitty doll and then wants to go outside. I tell her it might be a bit too windy, but she persists, so I get her bucket and spade that she always brings when she goes to the beach and put on her coat. Once outside, she walks around a bit on Zuid's terrace, tries out the beach for a bit, but the wind is really too much, so she returns to the terrace. She clearly enjoys herself, but after a short while, decides the wind and especially the sand that it blows in her face and eyes are a bit too much and she gets back inside. We pay and then go for a walk on the beach with the three of us, all the way down to the sea before returning to our bicycles to do our weekly shopping at the supermarket.