L'Essentiel — Restaurant in Sélestat-Erstein

After thinking again about the dinner and some topics mentioned by the owner I would like to adapt to two stars and choose a different wording. We went for dinner to the restaurant recommended by our hotel and double checking on google review with 4,6 stars. Location: nice atmosphere in the backyard, although it looked to us a little bit like plastic chair ambience which reminded us to camping furniture. The food was okayish, nothing too crazy or taste explosion. Two of us had the menu for 29 Euro, chicken was a bit dry but well sh. The foie 21 Euro and the fish (I think for 26 Euro) were of average taste. Wine: price/value for the wine is not good, independent of what is claimed by the restaurant. Could be of course bad selection (own one) but after the first one Pinot Gris which tasted like a dessert wine we asked the waitress for a more dry wine. She brought us a wine, luckily from an open bottle, which we tried and therefore could politely ask for another bottle. But we were not lucky again, as the new bottle was technically worse than the first one. Anyhow after few sips we changed to beer.

Would I recommend this restaurant to my friends? A clear no from my side. And to be honest I was also very surprised of the other reviews and the 4,6 stars given. But as the owner/chef already pointed out perfectly.........different people/different taste/different...

We went to this restaurant twice during our stay in the region. One time we had the degustation menu and the other time the a la carte menu.

All the dishes were nicely prepared with fresh ingredients. The menu isn't huge but all dishes are delicate and different to the standard fare you get around town.

The service was good and the waitresses spoke good English, which was helpful in explaining the menu. The wine list was good and the local wine on the list are particularly...

We were a party of 6, including 2 young children. While we chose the degustation menu, the children were served tender chicken thighs and roast potatoes. Both white and green asparagus featured in our 6 course meal as the restaurant boasts of procuring fresh local produce served with seafood and meats cooked to perfection. Each of our dishes were delicately prepared, perfectly balanced, clearly explained and gracefully served. The desserts were...