Ikigai

Chef Olivier Lamard crafts a modern culinary score that draws on the terroir of Alsace: house-made foie gras in gewurztraminer; guinea fowl with velvety parsnips and mushrooms; upside-down plum pie, tonka bean-laced mascarpone cream and vanilla ice cream. Savvy, deft craftsmanship and premium produce, some of which from the chef’s granddad’s garden: it ticks all the boxes!

Set in a cosy hotel, this eatery’s trendy, minimalist interior is the HQ of a chef who adds a new spin to regional ingredients: pan-fried Vosges ceps and hazelnuts; seabass roasted in champagne, tartare of oysters and watercress gnocchis; a meringue, chestnut and cream delight… His flawless modern score is paired with a fine list of Alsace wines. It makes the heart sing!

On the edge of the Munster Valley, La Nouvelle Auberge ("New Inn") is a lovingly maintained former coaching inn. The regional-style bistro on the ground floor serves up delicious lunch options during the week. The fine dining restaurant occupies a lovely space on the first floor with exposed timberwork. Bernard Leray, who hails from Rennes in Brittany, has taken to Alsace like a duck to water. After honing his skills at Bernard Loiseau, Leray puts a delicate new spin on local produce, each dish demonstrates his painstaking work and consummate technique – medallion of pike-perch, medley of sals

Venture over the threshold of this large regional-style 1920s building with oriel and stained-glass windows into a handsome, inviting dining room. Poultry pâté en croûte and confit lemon; honey-lacquered loin of pork, cream of sweetcorn and sautéed seasonal mushrooms; chocolate soufflée tart: the young chef delights diners from start to finish. A concise wine list with a focus on organic and biodynamic wines; possibility of gin and tonic pairings (with local gins of course!).

“Instinctive, last-minute” regional dishes, rustled up by a seasoned veteran who has trained many a local chef. In a picture postcard swish Alpine chalet décor, each dish celebrates and pays tribute to authentic regional produce.