Strauss Restaurant

by Rob Greeff

The world of contemporary lifestyle, design and cuisine all comes together in the heart of the charming town of Winterthur in Zurich Switzerland. Strauss, by restaurateur and chef Roland Häusermann, takes modern dining to new heights with innovation, passion and a deft attention to detail. Strauss is a serendipitous find. Swingtime Golf Travel made its way along a cobbled street walkway past boutiques and sidewalk cafes to discover something all together new, exciting and confirming the cutting edge of culinary urbanity, set amongst enchanting buildings that showcase the very best old world Swiss architecture. With the fi rst step into the establishment, it is very clear that Strauss is not just about having a good meal, but rather noticeably creates an “experience”. This multifaceted venue taps directly into the modern diner’s lifestyle from grabbing a quick snack, enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine, relishing some fi ne dining, to a leisurely lunch in the courtyard garden. Every space has been designed to enhance the sociability that surrounds good food and imbue the meal with a defi nitive character of its own. These meeting and eating spaces, nuanced by their very own ambiance and design are however very much part of a philosophical whole.

Roland Häusermann refers to Strauss as being cheeky, cheerful, contemporary and multicultural, with tradition at its fi nest employing only the freshest ingredients and at all times being courageous and daring. The tongue in cheek humour elicits a grin on my part as I am shown the “Pool-Bar”, a visually striking space in the front entrance

of the restaurant. Engaging the fi ne weather is an alfresco dining venue peppered with very modern black rattan furniture and bold white table linen. The afternoon light catches the glass and silverware laid on tables and refl ects the green manicured potted shrubs. It is an airy and sleek space, and a fi rm favourite with those of a stylish persuasion in Winterthur.

The bar inside presents the perfect gathering space for a drink or light meal. The interior décor is design heaven, a seamless profusion of minimal cubist bar furniture fi nished with steel and dashes of industrial orange leather in high contrast with glossy black lamp shades suspended from the ceiling. Black and white vintage posters of jazz greats hang on the egg shell walls in homage and acknowledgement of the lively music evenings hosted here. The piano in the in the corner is very often the focus of performers and musicians and entertainment at Strauss has garnered quite the following. An impressive wine display becomes an art installation behind the marble bar counter. A dramatic relief wall with a minimalist steel fi xture showcases a international wine list with vintages form all major wine regions ranging from the inexpensive to the exclusive, and creates a daring contrast with the rest of the space. It must be said that although trend setting, the bar is very welcoming and exudes warmth and personality. I particularly enjoyed the “live-camera” feed into the kitchen. Coming into Strauss just for a drink is impossible with the mouth-watering food being prepared. I loved how the senses are fully engaged. Strauss creates a banquet of sight, sound and taste.

Leading off from the bar is an intimate little Bistro area. Again, a very stylised space evoking the cutting edge in Asian and Italian design with a defi nitive Swiss approach. It is comfortable and modern and plays with light. A mirrored wall makes the space go on forever and the huge bay windows are changing panoramas alive with the essence of Winterthur. The Bistro is a continuation of the bar, and transition from one area to other is well thought out as an evening out comes to fruition with a meal.

It is summer in Switzerland, and everyone is taking full advantage of the fantastic weather, the pull of laughter brings me to the “garden”. Everywhere is smiling faces, fresh salads and pastas and the fl ow of chilled wine. The garden is the venue of choice today for families and friends. It is Zen, chic, comfortable and easy going. I sat down with some

regular diners and spoke to them about Strauss. All heaped praise for the food, wine, excellent service, the ambiance and very importantly, the attention to detail. “We always feel at home here”, “It is always a wonderful experience”; “Quality and authenticity in abundance” are just a few of the descriptions they happily volunteered. It certainly is a place to while away an afternoon.

Brigitte Häusermann, Roland’s wife shows me to the dining room. On our way we pass the boutique on site. Her sense of style and taste is evident, and all the little details positioned all over Strauss come into full focus. Her design touch and fl air is keenly evident throughout. “Here in the boutique we sell things that I love, things that are beautiful and express a love for art and craftsmanship. Many guests often enquire where we source our décor or objects de art and so we created this little studio boutique. Our guests get to take home a little bit of Strauss with them”. Pieces wrought in pewter, glass; cast iron and porcelain captivate the eye and have become sought after collector’s items.

The dining room is exquisite. Effortlessly chic and understated sophistication sets the stage for a memorable meal uplifted by the delicious cuisine. It is a fl exible space ideal for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or Christmas parties or even a stylish corporate event. A lavish banquet of Italian delicacies awaits to tempt and delight from antipasti, pasta, delicious main courses and a beguiling dessert buffet.

Roland and Brigitte Häusermann have most defi nitely succeeded in positioning Strauss at the forefront of contemporary lifestyle cuisine. The restaurant like them exudes a celebration for life, the joy of great food and attention to detail, all distilled into a relaxed dining experience that is sure to delight a visitor. Not content to rest on his laurels, Roland intimates:”Our secret is to constantly innovate; our guests are the most important component of the excellence we strive for and so our love for people, good food, wine and life is realised in this space”.

p g g all over Strauss come into full focus. Strauss come into full focus. Her design touch and fl air is keenly Her design touch and fl air is keenly Roland and Brigitte Häusermann have most defi nitely evident throughout. “Here in the Here in the succeeded in positioning Strauss at the forefront of boutique we sell things that I love, that I love contemporary lifestyle cuisine. The restaurant like them things that are beautiful and express a and ex exudes a celebration for life, the joy of great food and love for art and craftsmanship. Manyanship attention to detail, all distilled into a relaxed dining guests often enquire where we source ire where we source experience that is sure to delight a visitor. Not content our décor or objects de art and so to rest on his laurels, Roland intimates:”Our secret is to t we created this little studio bouti e stu que. constantly innovate; our guests are the most important Our guests get to take home a little Our guests get to take component of the excellence we strive for and so our of the excellence we strive for and so ou bit of Strauss with them”. Pieces bit of Strauss with th love for people, good food, wine and life is realised in love for people, good food, wine and life is realised in wrought in pewter, glass; cast iron wrought in pewter, glass; cast iron this space”.