Le Baeckeoffe d'Alsace

Le Baeckeoffe d'Alsace is a restaurant at 14 Rue des Moulins in the Petite France district of Strasbourg, in the Alsace region of France, named for the dish it specialises in. Baeckeoffe, meaning baker's oven, is the traditional Alsatian stew of marinated beef, pork and lamb layered with potatoes, onions and carrots, cooked slowly in a lidded earthenware dish traditionally sealed with dough. It was historically prepared at home and sent to the village baker's oven to cook while families were at work or church, and it has become one of the region's emblematic dishes. Choucroute, the other classic of the Alsatian table, also appears among the signature dishes. The prices are in the moderate range. The dining room is informal and traditional, in keeping with the neighbourhood's canal-side houses, and the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with a sociable sound level when busy. Dress is casual. The drinks list should centre on Alsatian white wines, notably Riesling and Pinot Gris, which cut the richness of the stew, and regional beer is a common alternative. A directory listing says the restaurant stays open until about 22:30 and is closed on 1 January; other opening hours are not recorded and should be confirmed before visiting. Reservation is advised, especially for dinner, weekends and the Christmas market season, when Petite France is among the busiest parts of the city. Baeckeoffe is a slow-cooked dish, so it is worth asking whether it needs to be ordered in advance, particularly for larger groups. Sharing is common, as portions are generous. The location on Rue des Moulins puts the restaurant within a short walk of the canals, the Ponts Couverts and the Barrage Vauban.