Europa-Park boss opens restaurant in Alsace

HARTMANNSWILLER. The restaurant "Amitié - La Cuisine du Château" will open in the Alsatian village, directly on the Alsace Wine Route, on 30 May 2024. Surrounded by vineyards, forests and the historic "Château Ollwiller", Thomas Mack, Managing Partner of Europa-Park and co-owner of the winery, has realised another gastronomic dream. The "Amitié" restaurant follows a concept that clearly emphasises the originality of the products. Project manager and culinary consultant Holger Strütt, together with head chef Philippe Peuple, has put together a fine selection of dishes, most of which are prepared over an open fire. The international cuisine with a French influence is served for lunch and dinner five days a week. Food lovers can look forward to a cosy restaurant where they can enjoy the power of nature in all its facets and unwind.

The current restaurant "Amitié - La Cuisine du Château" was historically part of "Château Ollwiller" before its extensive renovation, which the Mack family acquired and remodelled in 2020 along with the traditional vineyard. "Amitié" stands for Franco-German friendship, direct encounters between people, natural food, no-frills, honest cuisine and first-class wines.

The restaurant offers seating for 70 people in a cosy indoor area with an open barbecue and a further 120 seats on a sunny outdoor terrace. There is also a wine bar in the building with seating for 22 inside and 30 outside. A lovingly landscaped herb garden welcomes guests in the entrance area of the property.

Culinary expert Holger Strütt, former head chef of the 4-star superior hotel "Bell Rock", and head chef Philippe Peuple, who previously gained experience in upscale star gastronomy in France and Switzerland, stand for the culinary expertise of the "Amitié". Both chefs place a strong focus on regional products of the best organic quality. The menu will combine a mix of local and international dishes, with dishes inspired by French cuisine. A menu of the day also awaits guests here: for example, gourmets can look forward to rack of lamb with persillade, grilled vegetables and potatoes. Vegetarian gourmets can also look forward to creations such as grilled mushrooms with spring leeks and smoked paprika puree. The centrepiece in the middle of the room is a Charcoa grill from Galicia. Regional meat, fish and vegetables from the restaurant's own organic farm are cooked in front of guests on charcoal and wood from its own forests.

The best wineries from Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux and neighbouring Baden dominate the wine list. Of course, wines from the neighbouring vineyard are also served here, which winegrower Mathieu Kauffmann has been cultivating biodynamically for three years, such as the wines "Alza - Le Rosé", "Alza - Le Blanc" and the Riesling Grand Cru, Domaine Ollwiller.

Products from our own cultivation

The vegetables have also recently started growing on the estate grounds - in the "Chez Marianne" garden. The mother of Thomas, Michael and Ann-Kathrin, Marianne Mack, also attaches great importance to a healthy and organic diet, so this garden was dedicated to her. Depending on the season, lettuce, beetroot, pumpkins, asparagus, chard, aubergines and "old" varieties are planted under controlled organic conditions. The aim of this agriculture is a closed and natural cycle with living soil without additional fertilisers. The gardens are designed according to the principle of permaculture, which is modelled on natural ecosystems. For example, aphids are "combated" by natural enemies such as ladybirds. This biodynamic cultivation thus offers ideal conditions for microorganisms, fertile soil, vegetables and ultimately humans.

The organic harvest is processed in the restaurant "Amitié - La Cuisine du Château", in the 2-star restaurant "Ammolite - The Lighthouse Restaurant" under the management of Peter Hagen-Wiest and in future also in the fine dining restaurant "Eatrenalin" at the Erlebnis Resort.
With "Amitié", guests can look forward to a restaurant that focuses on the originality, regionality and quality of the products.

For many decades, the Mack family has supported the European idea and cross-border cooperation. Franco-German friendship in particular has always been a top priority. Michael Mack, Managing Partner of Europa-Park and CEO of MackOne, also strengthens this cross-border cooperation in his role as Honorary Consul of the Republic of France. The establishment of the Group's French headquarters in Plobsheim opens a new chapter dedicated to the development of immersive entertainment and innovative media content. The Europa-Park Experience Resort teams for marketing, communication and sales in France will also be brought together at this location. With the "Château Ollwiller" and the restaurant "Amitié - La Cuisine du Château", the Mack family and Thomas Mack in particular have created another Franco-German project that dissolves borders. "The Ollwiller wine estate is a labour of love for everyone involved. It is a wonderful family project that is designed to last for generations," says Thomas Mack.