The Good Life France Magazine




The Good Life France Magazine brings you the best of France - inspirational and exclusive features, fabulous photos, mouth-watering recipes, tips, guides, ideas and much more...


Published by the award winning team at The Good Life France

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2 years ago

Issue No. 23

Welcome to the summer! In this issue discover Dijon in Burgundy, sensational Strasbourg (and a secret speakeasy), and lovely Cognac. We'll tell you where the locals go on holiday, the secret places. Visit Versailles and the Paris Opera, Le Touquet - the "Monaco" of northern France and wild Provence. Guides, recipes and more - your trip to France without leaving home...

Where to eat out in

Where to eat out in Strasbourg Food lovers will be in their element in this city – Alsatian food is very tasty indeed, and they love their cakes and desserts here. There’s a huge choice of restaurants. In the main tourist areas, they’re touristy of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean bad, you’ll get gorgeous views and some have excellent food too. But if you’re looking for authentic and the most delicious Alsatian cuisine, the restaurants the locals go to, then these are the ones that will make you very happy… Chez Yvonne was a favourite restaurant of Presidents Chirac and de Gaulle when they were in Strasbourg but I promise you there’s nothing statesmanlike about this place – it’s utterly authentic, old school Alsace style, cosy, comfy and traditional Winstub (Alsatian bar and restaurant) style. It looks just as it did 80 years ago in grandma’s Alsatian parlour, though it’s much older than that. Wooden chairs, red and white check curtains, wood panelled rooms, I felt a bit like I was dining chez Hansel and Gretel. Family run, it’s super friendly with a lovely service. They’ll warn you about the horseradish, it’s strong and traditional to have with your dishes in Strasbourg. This is food that makes you smile. You can reserve online at their website: www.restaurant-chez-yvonne.net Maison des Tanneurs built in 1572 on the Petite Ile showcases local gastronomy. Here you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists enjoying the great location alongside the river. 42 Rue du Bain aux Plantes Fink’Stuebel is not touristy at all and features real Strasbourg gastronomy. If you want to eat like the locals - go here. It’s lovely inside, friendly, cosy and charming. It’s a great menu – don’t miss the iced Guggelhopf with cherry Schnapps for dessert! 26 Rue Finkwiller

Restaurant Les Chauvins, Père & Fils is family run and specialises in Alsatian tapas and specialities using local products with a clever twist. The tapas menu includes their take on Sushi with locally caught trout, horseradish (of course), local cheese and rice with a superb sauce. The pickled vegetables are just delicious and their home made foie gras with onion chutney is superb. A funky interior features one long table at which strangers can become dining partners and friends! There are tables for small numbers too. Innovative, very original, great food. You won’t find typically heavy Alsatian food like Sauerkraut here but it’s a great way to discover the local gastronomy in a seriously delicious way, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the cathedral. You can book online: www.restaurant-les-chauvins. fr Night life and bars Supertonic is all about Gin and Saucisse, a genius combination. 57 different types of gin, 12 different tonics, sausages made by a local artisan – everything about this bar is brilliant. I tried a mountain top tonic water from Chilli which was superb mixed with a gin made by a father and son company in the Netherlands and flavoured with a slice of orange and a star anise. I though it was the best G &T I’d ever had…. until I tried a gin from the US with a Thomas Henry tonic water. If you’re a gin lover you’ll love their ginventory (they even have an app) to help you choose your perfect gin and tonic. Black n Wine Hotel Hannong wine bar and Roof top terrace is a bit of a secret place though well known to locals, visitors might miss it as it’s in a hotel but so worth seeking out. The bar is lovely, relaxing and welcoming and a superb wine list.