I spent some of my best years in Strasbourg and I love going back every month even if just for a couple of days. Strasbourg is quite small though, so it’s nice to discover a new address now and then and avoid going back to the same places over and over. For those looking for a spot to have lunch, dinner -or even spend the night, I recommend you head to Les Haras.
Les Haras is a 55-room hotel and a brasserie but has somewhat of a wild and kingly past. It used to be a royal stud under Louis XV, where the blue blooded would horseride and mingle. A beautiful project signed Jouin Manku. An example to other regions too, on how to harness their architectural heritage and sublime it. And a success story, at that. They received the 2014 “Restaurant & Bar Design Awards” for the categories Europe and World.
It’s not hard to see why. The designers used natural and noble materials such as oak, brick, blackened steel, and saddle leather. The colors are warm and neutral with a predominance of brown, caramel and beige. “A particular idea of luxury and comfort inspired by the equestrian world, restrained and subtle” say the designers.
Credit: Dezeen
To me, the staircase is the absolute winning stallion. In Manku’s description, “a natural phenomenon, a little bit chaotic, a little bit wild.” It’s an epiphany to a galloping wild horse’s bridles. Astounding effect. The staircase sits next to the bar on the ground floor and takes guests upstairs, where one can dine beneath the original wooden roof.
Credit: Jouin Manku
Small parties can sit at private leathered booths and larger groups looking for privacy can reserve the yurt, made of saddle leather. The place is truly gorgeous. Sophisticated yet simple.
The Brasserie les Haras is run by Marc Haeberlin and Maxime Muller. It boasts a tapas menu as well as a seasonal carte, serving revisited Alsatian traditional dishes and delicate patisseries. Springtime is perfect to enjoy a lunch at the terrace. During the week, they have a 24 euro menu for starter + dish or dish + dessert and 29,50 for the 3 courses. Prices are slightly higher on weekends.
I had a season salad with aspargus, beans, Ostergruss turnips, artichoke, slow-cooked egg and herbs seasoning. As main dish I ordered the lamb burger with oriental spices and french fries. Delish.
And to finish, my friend and I had the dessert on the terrace, looking onto the magnificent pink sandstone facades. I had the strawberry-rhubarb religieuse (cream puff) made of a light strawberry mousse, poached rhubarb and strawberry icecream. Pure joy. My friend had a more decadent chocolatey dessert. We may or may not have stolen bites off each other’s pudding.
Anita
Brasserie Les Haras – 23, Rue des Glacières, Strasbourg, France –. Open every day for lunch from 12 to 14, for dinner from 19 to 22. The Bar Lounge is open from 19 to midnight and serves finger food until 22.
