What if this was the “restaurant of the future”? Europa-Park already proudly claims it. To present “Eatrenalin”, the German amusement park located thirty minutes from Strasbourg boasts “a unique multisensory experience of its kind”. The terms of “delicious expedition” are also mentioned, without too many details being revealed, apart from the “floating seats”. Enough to imagine a meal in the air, sailing between several tables? It was necessary to test to find out and a journalist from 20 minutes was invited there, of course against his will!
First impression upon arriving, the exterior looks like a nightclub. A few dozen meters from the hotels and the Rulantica water park, the facade flashes to the rhythm of LEDs. Only the symbol of the place, a sort of plate surrounded by two cutlery, remains. After three steps of the red carpet, here I am behind the curtain. Where there is no bouncer but Sarah, a smiling hostess.
Which, however, kicks off the evening with some bad news… “Your experience has been postponed to 10:15 p.m. (instead of 8:45 p.m.), we had a problem with the chairs. This is the first time this has happened,” she assures us, handing me a token to go and have a cocktail in a nearby bar. Elegant counterpart which allows you to wait to come back better. This time, it’s the right one: the “lounge” is waiting for me. A room with very modern decoration where a champagne bar sits surrounded by high tables and benches.
On the sound side, electro resonates, with lots of bass. That doesn’t stop you from enjoying the precious beverage – in moderation of course. The first appetizer, a verrine of asparagus, Jaipur curry and chives.” Pretty visually, a bit spicy in taste. The bite of caviar, served on a filled donut, is subject to no debate, just like the tomato toast. It’s beautiful, refined, light… and that’s just the beginning!
Alert, a timer is now projected on the walls. 4’59, 4’58, 4’57… The purple light appears, a host comes to pick up my group while around fifteen people remain. They will take the next departure, either in French, German or English, in half an hour. Each evening, ten are offered, opening from 5:10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Each time, a maximum of sixteen people can participate, i.e. the number of accessible flying seats.
But we’re not there yet. After a final appetizer, we are told that photos will be prohibited in the next two rooms. Okay, I’ll have this glass of rosé instead when I come in. In the center, a water fountain with a tube-shaped screen in the center. “Lina” introduces herself, it is the sweet voice of this “artificial intelligence” which will accompany us throughout our journey.
Be careful, a shark!
In this first piece called “Waterfall”, a clever blend of arctic char, white chocolate and basil flowers is offered to us. Always in very small quantities, this will be the rule all evening without anyone having to complain. Then it’s the turn of a small sphere, very peppery. There’s a bit of coughing in the ranks!
Barely time to recover, here we are in a new place. Like a white shed with neon lights on the ceiling. A slightly worrying atmosphere with music from films of conquest and especially at the sight of the large sheet which covers a large part of the ground. But what is hidden underneath? He finally gets up: the famous “floating seats” appear! A leather armchair accompanied by two dark wood coffee tables, all placed on a black platform. Forbidden to take your arms or legs out, “Lina” warned!
Everyone takes their place, the “expedition” can begin. The guests pass through another door one after the other, comfortably seated. Welcome to the depths of the ocean. Here, cliffs have been reconstructed. There, gigantic screens reveal the seabed. Be careful, rays pass by, no, a shark!
“Lean back, relax” the voice suggests. Alright. To accompany it all, a plate of king crab has just come from one of the small tables, presented in what looks like a shell. In case of thirst, a water bottle is accessible in the other piece of furniture. “It’s very innovative,” says my neighbor, who came to a business seminar with a dozen colleagues. “It’s a spectacle. » Which is far from its climax.
” Super good “
In the following “arena of taste” where everyone is always brought to their chair; a box is now placed on my tablet. We are going to “explore the 4 taste dimensions”. Either sweet, sour, bitter and salty. How ? Thanks to four bites which light up successively in our box. The seat moves in a still peaceful atmosphere. So much so that one of my adventure partners indulges in a little nap! “He got up at 3 a.m., you have to understand that,” someone whispers to me before gently tapping him on the shoulder.
He shouldn’t miss the next experiment. Head to Japan in a traditional “Minka” whose interior has been reconstructed. Two large counters, light wood everywhere, rice fields projected on a screen. Without forgetting “Mitzuki”, the lady of the house who is also in charge of ringing the gong. A succulent sashimi is, among other things, served with “sparkling sake”. “It’s really good,” sums up a guest, comforted by her colleagues.
The gong has just sounded again, perhaps a little quickly for some. We don’t hang around too long on the way, we have to board… a space shuttle. Yes, a space shuttle whose interior has been reconstructed in a stunning manner. Imminent takeoff towards the moon. 5,4,3, 2, 1… Turbulence is felt on our seats, fortunately no one has forced the quantities! In front of me, many smile, most of them impressed by the staging. Oh no, “a solar storm” is hindering our progress and causing new tremors! Phew, here we are finally on the moon and in a new room.
Black marble tables, matching crockery and cutlery, crystal chandeliers… The entire decor is ultra-careful and the impression of finding yourself on another very real planet. Our dish? Veal with timut pepper with black truffle and “comet shards”, all with a potato espuma. Excellent and perfectly presented again. “You can even eat the silver leaves,” says the waiter, pointing to what surrounds the piece of meat. “Incredible” my kind neighbor raves, impressed.
“Innovative but not user-friendly”
After another “emergency takeoff” without using the shuttle and still comfortably seated, it’s time for a final room. “Lina” wanders this time in human form, a model in a tight jumpsuit. Then the dessert comes down from a rotunda, where the 14 guests then take their seats. Combava, passion fruit, puffed rice, the whole thing is pleasant to see and taste. Around, the first conclusions fall. Mostly praiseworthy: “you have to do it once in your life”, “it’s still magnificent” etc.
A little further on, another nevertheless tells me that “it’s innovative but not user-friendly”. It is indeed hard to discuss quietly as the epic is intense and well-rounded. One hour and forty-five minutes: it’s midnight sharp and it’s the end. The end of a unique experience at 255 euros minimum, everything except a classic gourmet meal.