Tea and Steak you may ask yourself somewhat surprised? It's true though because the Jahreszeiten Grill has an interesting past - both architectural and culinary. Let's begin with a brief history of the restaurant, which is the same nowadays as it was in earlier times. Actually, it is an exciting and thrilling recount.

History of the restaurant

It is the year 1925. Friedrich Haerlin, founder of the hotel, appointed the Duesseldorf architect, Professor Emil Fahrenkamp, to design the function and public rooms of which some were to be used as tea rooms. Emil Fahrenkamp had a prevailing taste for the contemporary Art Déco style and decided on a modern design for the rooms. In 1926 the so-called "casino" was completed and opened as a "tea room". The magazine "Innen-Dekoration" (Interior Design) at that time dedicated a detailed cover story on the interior furnishings.

The showpieces of the new design were an oval tea room (today known as the Oval Room) which connected to an extravagantly designed coffee and tea room (today known as the Jahreszeiten Grill). Two pillars decorated with inlays dominated the middle of the room, which was designed by Victor Lurje and at that time, was considered as a master of art of inlay woodwork.

The black and white chequered floor tiles created an atmosphere of relevant aloofness in the room, which was typical of Art Déco style. The walls were adorned with a dark wood paneling of Caucasian walnut wood.

The cool elegance and strict geometry of the Art Déco style could no longer be displayed and had to disappear due to the political confusion which befell Germany. Friedrich Haerlin had the tea room altered again in 1933. He had everything relating to the pure style of Art Déco painted over and the wood paneling boarded over. Even today the notching of the nails is still visible.

Let us move on further in time

The Jahreszeiten Grill has become a cosy place. The Grill advanced to the urban retreat of the Hanseatic business community. For 60 years the Art Déco treasure slumbered behind the rustic, native country style.

In 1995 the Jahreszeiten Grill was to have a face lift. The snugness of the 70's and the 80's were discarded. Amazing what came to light! It was always said the Swabian Friedrich Haerlin had a certain tendency towards thrift and this was much to the advantage of the Jahreszeiten Grill. Nothing was thrown away or destroyed by the smart Swabian. During the restoration work newspaper articles appeared from the year 1933 and assumptions were running high. Experts were immediately recruited who enthusiastically dedicated themselves to the restoration. The fantastic walnut wood paneling was once again completely exposed. The former structure of the wood paneling was restored with resin soaps, sturgeon glue putty and shellac. Stains were retouched with watercolor paints.

The open grill was torn out. A laborious task that required a day per square metre. 60 of the former 80 armchairs were found in the rooms of the hotel. The chairs not only had to be refurbished but also "built back" because in 1933 they had been upholstered to comfortable armchairs. The new "old" Jahreszeiten Grill re-opened in November 1995 after a renovation period of only two months.

In August 1998 the columns, which adorned the room in the twenties, were integrated once again into the overall plan of the room. During the post-war period they were irretrievably destroyed. Only the old photographs remained for posterity. New elevations were constructed using old documents, photographs and drawings. The floral and ornamental elements were reconstructed in fine drawings. The choice of the color design remains questionable as there were not any historical notes to work on. The so-called "Trompe l'oeil" paintings were decided upon for the new design of the columns. Varnishes, pigments and patina were mixed and applied as in former times.

The next time you visit, take time to let your hand glide over one of the two columns. You really have the feeling of stroking a noble inlay work which takes you back to the world of the twenties.

Perhaps right here, exactly in the same ambience, your grandfather sat on this chair and duly celebrated a conclusion of a contract or even made a proposal of marriage to your grandmother. Isn't it a unique feeling to dine in a room that can be compared with a museum?

There isn't a more beautiful restaurant in all of Germany. No plagiarism, no reproduction, this is pure Art Déco. Everything is authentic.

Culinary

The culinary pleasures you can enjoy in the Jahreszeiten Grill are also for real, which are prepared by Klaus Latendorf, Chef of the Jahreszeiten Grill.

Atlantic sole, grilled golden brown, steak tartar masterly prepared at the table and served with crisp fried potatoes or perhaps fillet steak Diana so artistically flambéed that the neighbouring table decides to have the same. Dessert? You simply cannot miss out on this delight. Crèpe Suzette or a Hanseatic classic dish of red berry puree with vanilla ice cream or perhaps something else. You are spoilt for choice! Should you have difficulties in making a decision, Mâitre Rudolf Nährig with his Viennese charm and good humour is there to assist you.

Maître Rudolf Nährig

Rudolph Nährig is a real character. Whoever talks to him for a longer period of time, realizes how many talents this man has. He, however, considers himself not so important. "It's not all about me but more about the welfare of my guests. As mâitre I have to be interested in my guests and not the other way around", says the 60-year-old. He is nevertheless, the one who manages the stage at lunchtime and in the evening at his restaurant, the Jahreszeiten Grill. He is director and leading actor at the same time.

Heads of State, industrialists, and Hamburg businessmen belong to his patron guests, whom he also regularly reminds of approaching wedding anniversaries and birthdays by sending handwritten greeting cards. Whenever one of his patron guests dares to venture to the restaurant Doc Cheng's®, he escorts the "lady" or the "gentleman" down the stairs, not neglecting to mention that dining once in Doc Cheng's can only be atoned by dining twice in his Grill.

Rudolph Nährig started working for Hotel Vier Jahrezeiten in 1977. As mâitre since 1989, he is in charge of the Grill and has become a true "Hamburger". This man, wearing distinctive glasses, is anything but a citizen of the Hanseatic city. As a true Viennese he has nevertheless some character qualities, which may be attributed to a Hamburg merchant. It is said they would not only offer their mother-in-law for sale, they would also deliver her. This may also be said of Rudolph Nährig.

He speaks three foreign languages fluently. He loves classical music and does not simply come up with quotations of great philosophers of this world; he also interprets them and applies them in suitable context. He has a passion for driving his "beetle" and his little grey jewel is presently undergoing extensive restoration - just in time, because next year his convertible achieves the "Old-timer" status.

Jahreszeiten Grill

Main Courses: 20 € 14.00 to € 98.00
Business Lunch: 1 € 23.00
Mondays to Sundays: noon to 2.30 p.m.
Mondays to Sundays: 6.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.
Tel: + 49 (40) 34 94 33 12

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