Gourmet Germany, Austria & Switzerland: 2002
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, what are its favorite taste treats?
Bavarian Markets
Some of the best food I've had in Bavaria has beeen in local markets. It
sometimes takes some asking around, but talk to the locals and see if you
can find an open air market(most often away from the touristy sector). You
can find the best homemade and fresh grown foods, from sausages to desserts.
And an added bonus is you get to see a part of a town not controlled by
the tourists, but by the locals, in their 'real' lives.
Lindsay <email>
Cincinnati, OH USA 10/05/02
Vienna - dining recommendation
We were in Vienna last week. We too ate at the Griechenbeisl on Fleischmarkt.
It's an old tavern supposedly frequented by Beethoven, etc. The ambience
is excellent and the food terrific. Best we had in our four days there.
Moderate prices.
Bill Morgan <email>
Seattle, WA USA 08/28/02
Berlin Alexanderplatz Bratwurst
I was in Berlin Summer '01 at the Alexanderplatz there was a self-contained
bratwurst man, that is his grill was at his front held by straps from his
shoulders, the propane tank on his back and the sunshade over his head.
His picture has a place of honor on my fridge! Excellent Thuringer bratwurst
too boot! With bread for about $1.50
Bob <email>
Seattle, USA 07/30/02
Leberkase
Like many, I often need to indulge in meaty, greasy, politically incorrect
fare. Many traditional German foods seem to fit the bill nicely. In Cologne,
I recently had what I thought was a great dish. Leberkase translates to
liver cheese and I was expecting something more akin to liver pate. It ended
up being a large fried slab of a processed ham looking meat with a fried
egg on top. The closest food that resembled its taste was Spam ... I realize
that there are many who would not find this appealing but done right many
of us, I think, secretly enjoy it. Supposedly it was a Bavarian specialty
and I would have it again without thinking twice.
Tom Lee <email>
Waterloo, ON Canada 07/09/02
Germknudel
Try the germknudel in Austria or Germany if you can find it. It is a big
ball shaped doughy-cake with plums inside and the whole thing is covered
with a poppyseed/sugar mixture. It may have been the best dessert I have
ever eaten.
Paul
Pittsburgh, PA USA 07/08/02
Broccoli souffle in Hallstat
In Hallstat, down the steps of Parking lot 1 is a resturant that is rather
plain looking (for Austria). My wife ordered a broccoli soufflé that was
incredible. Normally, I don't even like broccoli.
Steve Zavocki <email>
Lewisville, TX USA 07/03/02
Best meal in Europe by far!
I just returned from three weeks in Europe. 16 days of it was on a Rick
Steves' tour of Germany, Switzerland & Austria. The rest of the tour I was
on my own time in Amsterdam. The absolute best meal of the entire trip was
had in Salzburg, Austria. The name of the restaurant is St. Stephan's and
it has been a restaurant since 803! It is next to the beautiful St. Stephan's
church and is still run by the brotherhood.
On to the meal - actually a lunch: Started with a great cup of Illy coffee - the best coffee of the trip, with a nice crema on top. Next was a cream of asparagus and parsley soup that was awesome - perfect creamy consistency with large chunks of both white and green asparagus. The main dish was roast pork. Three large slices of roast pork that was seasoned with fennel seeds. The meat was perfectly tender and moist with just the right amount of fat. The meat was served in the cast iron dish it was cooked in - this was crucial because all of the natural juices were there to spoon over. Accompanying the meat was some excellent sauerkraut that had been cooked with bacon and was only slightly acidic, and a ball of stuffing. On its own the stuffing was a little dry, but when I spooned the pan juices over it, the taste was something else! I kept thinking that this meal would be great on Thanksgiving. Dessert was a Toblerone parfait surrounded by strawberries that had been soaked in liqueur and shreds of fresh mint.
The price for the whole meal (including a bottled
mineral water) was 27 Euros. I was happy to pay this and would heartily
recommend the restaurant to anyone in the area. Also, I found the city
of Salzburg itself to be the most enjoyable city of the tour.
Jeff Rose
Huntington Beach, CA USA 06/18/02
Dining in Vienna
The Witwe Bolte restaurant in Vienna is amazing! Located in the Spittelberg
pedestrian area, the restaurant serves scrumptious authentic Viennese cuisine.
My father and I dined at the Witwe Bolte in May and although there are many
other eateries in the area, everybody was eating at the Witwe. The portions
were generous and prices were very reasonable as well. An event that made
the Viennese dining experience even more enjoyable was meeting an artist
who owns a shop north of the restaurant. My father and I struck up a conversation
with him on our way home and we had a wonderful visit. His family had lived
in the region for centuries and he shared with us the history of his neighborhood.
It was a priceless evening!
Jennifer <email>
Greeley, CO USA 06/09/02
Eating in Vienna
The highlight of my visit to Vienna was the Cafe Demel, 1.,Kohlmarkt 14
located between the Opera House and Graben. Beautiful mirrored and ornate
painted walls. You just become mesmerized by the display of luscious pastries,
canapes, sandwiches and other treats. I ate a luscious "Ana" chocolate cake,
roast beef canapes and Japanese tea for 15 euros. Another interesting eaterie
was the Trzesniewski buffet on Dorotheergasse 1 (opposite the Cafe Hawelka).
Egg salad canapes with 21 different toppings. Business people were eating
this and a mini mug of beer for lunch! Lastly, a nice historic restaurant
is the Griechenbeisl on Fleischmarkt 11 (near the Donaukanal and Schwedenplatz).
Huge and delicious wiener schnitzel and yummy goulash.
Jo
San Francisco, CA USA 06/07/02
Luzern Restaurant Recommendations
Luzern Restaurants Recently visited Luzern and wanted to suggest three restaurants
for wonderful Swiss food: For Fondue: Hotel Des Alpes restaurant--great
taste, lovely view of river from terrace restaurant Raclette: Cafe Hug,
right on Reuss River near the Spreuerbrucke, the best raclette we've had.
Rosti: The Old Swiss House: ignore the calories, their cheese covered Rosti
is the absolute best.
John <email>
Iowa City, IA USA 05/27/02
SPARGEL in Bavaria
For you asparagus lovers out there, now through the end of June is the SPARGEL
(fresh white asparagus) season in Bavaria. Served many different ways, SPARGEL
is simply scrumptious! Enjoy!! Jinx Hoover
Jinx Hoover <email>
Austin, Tx USA 05/14/02
Germany delights
Weisbaden, Germany. While in Weisbaden, you need to check out the Der Vikinger
restaurant. The food is spectacular! I had the best portion of French Onion
soup I have ever tasted, light and served in a small cast iron skillet.
Plus, their Mixed Grill is perfect for someone who wants to sample a little
of everything, perfectly seasoned and presented very well. I must say, for
being in Europe for 3 yrs, this is my favorite spot, located just off of
the walkplatz, near the bus station. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting
as well, with a large fireplace in the center of the 2 level restaurant.
Plus- my 2 most favorite German foods are: spargel mit crema (white asparagus
wrapped in ham and covered with hollondaise sauce) and Goulaschsuppe in
a bread bowl. Scrumptous. I can't wait to go back!
Sarah <email>
Allentown, PA USA 04/22/02
The Schorn Gasthof - St. Leonhard, Austria
We stayed over Christmas in the Salzburg area. We wanted to spend the actual
holiday in a place only locals would go. We found it in the Schorn. Speaking
a wee bit of German will help since English is limited. Excellent , simple
and clean accomodations, plus wonderful Austrian food fare and beer. All
of this just outside of Salzburg at the base of the Untersberg, where Maria
VonTrapp was seen in the opening scene of the Sound Of Music. If you go
please give the Family Ziegler our best.
Martin Sorensen <email>
Gresham, Or USA 04/06/02
Chestnuts and hot potatoes for sale!
In Austria during winter, besides the fire roasted chestnuts, you can also
get diced potatoes and a hash-brown patty, for less than $2 apiece. For
those who haven't had roasted chestnuts, it's like eating lima beans lightly
topped with sugar. In winter it's the right season for starchy snacks.
Josh Hanz <email>
Foster City, ca USA 03/09/02