Stratford, East London, is just a short train ride from the city and home of Westfield Stratford City with its myriad shopping possibilities. Venture just past the glass doors, and you’ll find a paved walkway that leads out into the Olympic Park — home to many of the London 2012 Summer Olympics events — and a collection of eateries from coffee shops to restaurants. It’s here that you’ll find Haugen, an Alpine-inspired restaurant that looks like it was plucked from the pages of a travel brochure.
The striking wooden structure of Haugen looks like nothing around it, drawing the eye instantly and piquing the curiosity. During our visit, we sat on the outside terrace, with the Spring chill kept at bay by patio heaters and faux fur throws. The warm lighting created a lovely, intimate feel to the terrace, making it a delightful place to spend a few hours enjoying food, drinks and good company.
My companion and I started our evening with a cocktail, opting for a Haugen Breeze vodka-based cocktail and a rum-based Alpine Swift. Both were extremely drinkable!
We then turn our attention to the menu. Keen to try the Alpine-inspired dishes, my companion chose Appenzeller — crispy potato rosti topped with Swiss cheese, pear and crispy, smoked bacon. The dish was a hit, with the unusual combination of flavours and textures working perfectly together. It’s easy to see why a larger portion is available as a main course.
I opted for a lighter starter in the form of a Swiss salad. This colourful bowlful incorporated beets, corn, carrot, celery and cucumber with a French dressing. While it was fresh and tasty, the salad’s very chopped nature made it tricky to eat from the bowl, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Our main courses were a little more challenging to choose, as there were some very enticing options, including the traditional cheese fondue. After some thought, I decided on the Schweinshaxe. This slow-roasted pork knuckle was paired with sauerkraut, a potato dumpling and beer jus. The pork was tender and tasty, but overall there just wasn’t enough beer jus, so the dish — and particularly the potato dumpling — was just a little too dry.
My companion opted for the Jager Schnitzel — veal schnitzel with a mushroom cream sauce — and a side of truffle fries. A large chunk of veal, the schnitzel was good but a little overcooked. Adding the sauce gave it the moisture it needed and boosted the flavours nicely. Going with a side of fries was a good choice, with the truffle oil-coated thin-cut chips pairing well with the creamy main dish.
We also decided to continue the Alpine theme with the wine pairing and ordered a Swiss Chasselas to accompany the meal. It was subtle but fruity, with just a hint of sweetness and worked well with our menu choices.
The obvious choice for dessert would have been the chocolate fondue — melted chocolate accompanied by fruit, marshmallows, and pretzels should be a no-brainer, but having already devoured two courses, that seemed a step too far. Instead, we went for the somewhat less gut-busting options of apple strudel with vanilla sauce and spiced plum crumble with coconut and lime sorbet. Both desserts were fruity and indulgent, and the coconut and lime sorbet was sensational.
After we’d finished our meal, we ventured up to the rooftop terrace, which is a lively space that has some great views over the Olympic Park. It’s relaxed yet vibrant, with large cushions and warm throws to continue the Alpine theme, and plenty of space to enjoy a few drinks with friends.
There’s music, too, with lots of live DJ sets scheduled for the coming months. If live sets aren’t your thing, avoid the rooftop and stick to one of the lower terraces, which, while they don’t have the views, are still pleasant places to spend time.
Haugen offers something a little different in a lovely setting. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, a light lunch or an indulgent dinner, there is something to suit — next time, though, I’ll skip the main and go straight to the chocolate fondue, and I’ll regret nothing!
What: Haugen
Where: 9 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN
Web: Haugen-Restaurant.com
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