Welcome to our new series of all things related to good living, food, travel, wine and cooking. As the owner operator of La Buena Vida an international culinary shop on the Fahrenheistraat in The Hague, I am constantly searching for unique
Archive for the ‘Culinary Expertise’ Category
Herbes de Provence: The Herbs
by Ginny Mees on February 24, 2012 | 2 Comments
Valentine’s Day:The Passion of Tunisian Food & Pottery
by Ginny Mees on February 13, 2012 | 1 Comment
Unlike other North African cuisine, Tunisian food is typically quite spicy. However it can also be quite easily toned down to accommodate guests’ palates. Because it is usually accompanied by harissa, a spicy Tunisian red chili sauce, it can be added ahead of time or left on the table for personal preference. Since the spiciness of the meal also has [...]
Posted in Culinary Expertise, Products, Recipes, Uncategorized 
Tags: bowls, Den Haag, Fahrenheitstraat, food, harissa, La Buena Vida, passion, pottery, spicy, The Hague, Tunisia, Tunisian, Valenitine's Day 
1 Comment »Defining Presentation
by Ginny Mees on February 6, 2012 | No Comments
Taste…the ultimate deciding factor in sourcing olive oils for my international culinary shop. But taste alone does not a gift make. When buying for La Buena Vida in addition to the quality of the item, the packaging, design and labeling are all
Posted in Culinary Expertise, Good Living, Products Tags: Azada, Den Haag, Fahrenheitstraat, infused oil, International, La Buena Vida, Olive Oil, The Netherlands No Comments »California Crush in The Hague
by Ginny Mees on October 1, 2011 | 1 Comment
There is little more sacred in the wine-making industry then the fall harvest, or the “crush” as it is also known. Tonight at La Buena Vida we celebrate the wonderful harvest celebration with A California Crush wine tasting private event for The American Women’s Club of The Hague. Our private wine tasting events have become [...]
Posted in Culinary Expertise, Events, Good Living, Products Tags: American, American Women's Club of The Hague, California, California chardonnay, crush, Den Haag, events, EX-Pat, Fahrenheitstraat, Gift Shop, harvest, International, La Buena Vida, private winetasting, San Francisco, The Hague, The Netherlands, the wine institute, trip, Vacation, Wente wines, Wine, wine-tasting 1 Comment »Bobotie: Sweet & Savory African Style
by Ginny Mees on September 27, 2011 | No Comments
A few weeks ago a South African client of mine popped by La Buena Vida for a latte macchiato, and was telling me she was having friends for dinner that night. Whenever I hear someone is entertaining, I love to hear what they are preparing. She shared that she was making bobotie (pronounced ba-boor-tea) with yellow [...]
Posted in Culinary Expertise, Good Living, Recipes Tags: bobotie, chutney, Culinary, Den Haag, easy dinner, Fahrenheitstraat, International, La Buena Vida, Malay, recipe, South Africa, sweet savory, The Hague, yellow rice No Comments »Slow Cooking: Not Such a Crock
by Ginny Mees on September 9, 2011 | 1 Comment
For those of us raised on the wonders and convenience of the slow-cooker (also known as The Crock Pot) Fall and Winter mean celebrating this terrific invention. Dust it off after the sunny months of summer (or if you do not have one of these time-savers, drop into La Buena Vida on de Fahrenheitstraat in The [...]
Posted in Culinary Expertise, News, Products, Recipes Tags: American, cookbooks, cooking, crock pot, Culinaire, Den Haag, Dutch, EX-Pat, Fahrenheitstraat, fall, home cooked, La Buena Vida, Recipes, slow, slow cooker, The Hague, Winter 1 Comment »New York Style Cheesecake in The Hague!
by Ginny Mees on February 25, 2011 | No Comments
There are certain foods that will always remind me of home. Nothing like a creamy, New York Style cheesecake with a crunchy crust to make this American girl miss home! OK, so I may not be from New York, but that doesn’t mean
Koffie Cultuur: Het gaat niet alleen om het schuim!
by Ginny Mees on February 7, 2011 | No Comments
(Coffee Culture: it’s not just about the foam!) After living as an EXPAT here in The Netherlands for almost two years, I have learned to greatly appreciate the art of the perfect coffee (or koffie). As the owner of the espresso bar-culinary shop La Buena Vida in Den Haag, I always begin
Posted in Culinary Expertise, Events, Good Living Tags: barista course, Bomenbuurt, California, Cappuccino, Coffee connoisseurs, Creamy, Den Haag, Espresso, EX-Pat, Fahrenheitstraat, Italian coffee, Italian espresso, koffie, koffie cultuur, La Buena Vida, Peet's Coffee, San Francisco, schuim, Segafredo, The Hague, The Netherlands No Comments »Warm & Cozy Winter Cooking
by Ginny Mees on January 8, 2011 | No Comments
When I first moved to the Netherlands I had to adopt a whole new way of cooking for the winter. Coming from California, I was used to cooking with the same foods all year long, but produce is seasonal here in Holland, and the
Posted in Culinary Expertise, Good Living, Recipes Tags: boerenkool, Bomenbuurt, California, cold winter, comfort food, crock pot, Culinaire, Culinary, Den Haag, Ducth recipes, EX-Pat, Fahrenheitstraat, International, kale, La Buena Vida, sauerkraut, slow cooker, stamppot, The Hague, winter cooking, zuurkool No Comments »Ring in the New Year with Wild Hibiscus
by Ginny Mees on December 28, 2010 | No Comments
OK, so most people will ring in the new year with “Wild Abandon”…and so we should after gloomy 2010…but how about ringing it in with “Wild Hibiscus”? Wild Hibiscus flowers from Australia. This festive touch to any celebration will put a
