Crazy like a cook

At one time a German province, Alsace is definitely French when it comes to food: The region produces some of the best foie gras in the country, as well as a wide range of quite remarkable wines.

Rarely, however, has it boasted a chef as unpredictably creative as Serge Burckel.

Burckel's eccentricity stands out neatly in the almosttooquiet Alsatian culinary landscape. It looks like, judging from his previous experiences, that the man has actually lived several lives.

He has worked, among other places, in Hong Kong, Munich, Los Angeles and even in Orlando, Florida, where he was in charge of the kitchen at Jiko, a Dineyworld Africanthemed restaurant! No point in wondering how Serge developed such an international cooking style: "fusion and inspiration", as he likes to put it - something the local gourmets don't have many occasions to enjoy.

Don't let the cold and slightly impersonal dining room fool you: Serge and Co is as much about creation as it is about food.

Facetious, surprising, unexpected, or as he himself puts it, "moody and humorous", Burckel's cuisine will definitely take you off the beaten tracks. After all, where else could you start with an oyster crumble and still expect desserts to surprise you? 

Practical information

Serge Burckel (one star)

14 rue des Pompiers a Schiltigheim 67300

Call (03) 88 18 96 19

Website: SergeBurckel.com

Open: Lunch Tuesday to Friday, Sunday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday