Lakeside gastronomic pleasures

Christoph Raffer, a talented young German chef composes his inventive cuisine at Haerlin

Haerlin is just the place for a romantic stopover in Hamburg. It's an elegant restaurant housed in the luxury Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on the delightful shores of Lake Alster. Reflected in its placid waters is the green copper roof of this huge and luxurious building that dates back to the late 19th century.

From your table you can contemplate the immense Gobelin tapestries and porcelain figurines around you in the classic dining room.

In this idyllic setting, Christoph Raffer, a talented young German chef composes his inventive cuisine, introducing Mediterranean elements into classic French dishes, including truffleflavoured cream of chestnut soup, medallions of venison with a juniper and lemon butter crust, and braised shoulder of venison with a celery and apricot compote.

Raffer has recently stretched his menu to include Asianaccented creations such as lobster spiced up with pineapple and paprika chutney and washed down with a cool Singapore sling, or panfried foie gras with caramelised ginger served with a Thai mango sorbet.

"I have a passion for anything that makes dishes tasty and succulent, like sauces, Geles and coulis," he explains.

Every meal is filled with the kind of special treatment that you'd expect in a hotel of this calibre, and an intimate atmosphere prevails despite the grandeur.

Enjoy a glass of champagne and exquisite amusegueules to start off the feast, different kinds of bread to match each dish, and delicious treats to go with your coffee, along with soft piano in the background.

Christoph Raffer at Haerlin

Neuer Jungfernstieg 9, Hamburg, 20354, Germany

Tel: (+49 40) 3494 3302

Fax: (+49 40) 3494 2610,

website: http://www.hvj.de

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Open Tuesday to Saturday, lunch noon to 2pm, dinner 6.30 to 10.30

Booking advised.

Please wear proper attire.

Restaurant capacity: 62 place settings