La Baraque opened officially on Friday 30 July opposite the Galeries Lafayette, just a few steps from the iconic Café Interview, near the Royal Hamilius . Even if the venue, the former Hello Café, is relatively small and only accommodates about ten tables, it benefits from a nice terrace on the pedestrian street which can accommodate about forty covers...
The decor, designed by Véronique Witmeur, is delightfully vintage and trendy with large dark tiles for the main counter, a large neon light in front and tinted mirrors at the back that bring in a little more air and light. The place is fronted by a fun potato graphic.
In the middle of Aldrigen Street, a few steps from the Hamilius tram stop, it is hard not to notice La Baraque with its strong identity... (Photo: Maison Moderne)
But let's get down to brass tacks: what's frying? We were lucky enough to be able to test the menu in preview and let's not procrastinate, it's really good... The fries are double cooked in beef fat in the pure Belgian tradition and emerge crispy without being hard, and retain their heat for a long time. The sauces are homemade and it shows, especially the perfect Samurai (mayonnaise, ketchup, and harissa, for the uninitiated). Diners can raise their frite game with even more outrageous toppings such as meatballs in tomato sauce, rabbit with grapes or--our big favourite--vol au vent!
La Baraque's vol-au-vent fries are a game-changer for chip shops, no question. (Photo: Maison Moderne)
In addition to the fries, the La Baraque menu has a few other homemade specialities: fricadelle, chicken croc, grey shrimp croquette, meatball, saveloy... Plenty to excite gourmands!
La Baraque: 15, rue Aldringen, Luxembourg (Centre-Ville), T. 27 49 59 800
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This article on Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.