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Good eats… a local restaurant guide

Since Bill and I don’t get to travel as much as we’d like to, a lot of the posts on this blog are restaurant reviews.  If I can’t go somewhere cool over the weekend, I do at least like to go out to eat.  I know a lot of readers currently live near Stuttgart and are looking for good restaurants.  In the interest of making that task easier, I’ve decided to make a list of my reviews of local restaurants.  I have reviewed some places a few times.  Click the link to get to the first blog post, then you can click the tags to find follow up posts.  There are other restaurants we’ve tried but I haven’t reviewed.  I’ll get to them eventually.

I will add to this post as I try other places.  When it gets too long and obnoxious, I’ll make a new post.

Stuttgart

Abacco’s Steakhouse- Steak

Steakhouse in downtown Stuttgart very close to Dr. Blair’s dentist office.  Steaks come served on hot stones and guests are basically charged with cooking them to their desired doneness.  Full bar and other options besides steak for those who want something different.  I’d like to go back and try one of their burgers.

Ampulle- Steak

Beef and gin restaurant located near the Feuersee S-Bahn stop in Stuttgart.  Very meat focused menu, with only a couple of options for non meat eaters.  Good food and service, but beware of large portions and cigar smokers in the bar area.

Bärenschlössle- German self-service/Biergarten

Self-service German restaurant at the Rotwildpark in Stuttgart.  Very pleasant place for lunch and inexpensive.  They offer light meals and desserts.

Besitos: Tapas y Mas- Spanish/tapas

Chain restaurant with eight locations in Germany, located right across the street from Calwer Strasse. Nice selection of tapas and a few main dishes.  Lively bar scene that seems popular with young people.  Decent service and reasonable prices.  Nothing really special, but not bad for a quick stop.

Block House- Steak

Chain restaurant with two locations in Stuttgart.  Very generous portions that include sides and salads.  A la carte service is also available.  Very casual and seems to be popular with Americans.

Brauhaus Calwer Eck- German

Typical German pub food.  Lots of pork, dumplings, and spatzle… and beer, too.  Service is friendly and professional, but you have to climb a flight of stairs to get to the dining room.  I like the ambiance; it’s kind of dark and cozy.  Very close to Dr. Blair’s dentist office downtown.

China Garden- Chinese

This restaurant gets terrible reviews on Google, but we had a good experience there.  Nice menu with something for everyone.  Good food; pleasant staff; and decent ambiance.

Christophorus- Steak

Very nice restaurant at the Porsche Museum.  Pricey, and reservations are a must!  But the steak is outstanding and the service is impeccable.  Good place for a special occasion or if you want to impress someone.  For those who don’t like steak, other dishes are available.

Cortijo- Spanish

This is a popular downtown restaurant that offers outdoor seating, Flamenco dancing, guitar music, and Spanish dishes like paella and flan.  We went for a late lunch/early dinner and want to try it again at dinner time, when the stars come out.  Nice change of pace.

Cube- German, International

Cube is a lovely restaurant that overlooks Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz and sits at the top of the Stuttgart Art Museum.  Food is fresh and creatively prepared, coupled with lively jazz music and good wine.  Reservations are recommended, especially at dinner.  We ate there during the winter, but I have heard it’s not air conditioned during the warmer months, so you may want to plan accordingly.  There is free WiFi at Cube.

Delice- German/International

Very small venue but excellent food.  Reservations are a must for this five star restaurant with excellent service, inventive cuisine, and prices to match.  Great place for a special occasion or romantic evening.  Must for foodies.

Der Zauberlehrling- German/International

I actually visited and reviewed this hotel restaurant in 2008, but reposted the review because it’s kind of a nice place for a date.  We booked it via OpenTable.de and had a really good culinary adventure there.  It’s a bit pricey, though.  We visited again in 2017.

Desiree- Spanish/tapas

Tapas bar in Stuttgart’s Markthalle.  Good food at reasonable prices, but not everything is available all day.  It’s a good place for a snack, though, if you happen to be in Stuttgart between meals.  Nice outdoor area, great for people watching.

Finch- German, International

Finch is the restaurant at Wald Hotel in Degerloch.  It’s a bit pricey, but the food and service are five star.  Reservations are a must; it’s a small restaurant.  I also recommend staying in the hotel, if you can.  It’s a lovely place to stay.

Five- International

Five is a very interesting restaurant with cool music, decor, and imaginatively prepared international cuisine.  Prices are rather high in the restaurant, but they do have a nice bar area where lighter fare at a lower price is available.  Not kid friendly, but a good place for a date if you like contemporary cuisine presented with an artistic flair.  Good for a splurge, especially if you like surprise menus.

Felix- Brunch, buffet, and bar

Modern looking restaurant near the Liederhalle with a popular brunch buffet on Sundays and a very nice looking bar.  Can be a bit noisy.  Offers a regular menu.  Very casual.

Kikuya- Japanese/sushi

Pleasant sushi restaurant on Calwer Strasse in downtown Stuttgart.  You can either sit at the long table sans shoes or at the bar or pub tables with your shoes.  The sushi is very good and Bill enjoyed lots of fried delights.

La Commedia-  Italian

Bill and I booked this restaurant through OpenTable.de, a restaurant reservation service.  We chose it because it’s located near the Liederhalle and we were going to a concert there.  The food is good.  The ambiance is energetic and not very romantic.  We enjoyed our meal there anyway.

La Nuova Trattoria da Franco- Italian

Chic Italian eatery in downtown Stuttgart (Calwer Strasse) whose kitchen stays open all day.  Fresh food, good service, and reasonable prices.

Luftbad Restaurant Der Grieche im Grünen- Greek and German
Decent restaurant in Degerloch, located in a sports complex.  Food is pretty ordinary, but there’s plenty of it and it tastes fine.  Prices are a little high for what you get.  Not bad… not great.

Maredo- Steak

Chain restaurant with locations throughout Germany and three in Austria.  Good food at a fair price.  Steaks are surprisingly good.  A little something for everyone.  Very casual.

Marktstüble- Typical German food

Inexpensive eatery at the Markthalle that serves German and Schwabish food.  Schnitzels, pork dishes, salads, soups, and the like are available.  Nice outdoor area for good weather.  Professional wait staff.  Good location if you’re shopping.

[M]eatery- Steak

Nice place to get a steak in Stuttgart, but a bit pricey.  Come with a big appetite and a credit card or lots of cash.   Dry aged steaks are available, as are a number of different cuts of meat.

Paulaner am altern Postplatz-  German

This restaurant is super convenient to Dr. Blair’s dentist office in downtown Stuttgart.  We happened to find it the other day after a cleaning and enjoyed some great German food.  They have spare ribs the first Monday of every month, fresh beer from the tap, and yummy chicken (which isn’t always easy to find).

Pier 51- Steak and lobster

Popular restaurant in Stuttgart known for steak and lobster.  Our first visit was a bit disappointing due to the service.  The food is pretty good, though.

Positano- Italian

Italian food in a very old building with creaky floors and tiny dining rooms.  They don’t shut down the kitchen during the afternoon, so it’s a good bet if you’re hungry after regular lunch hours.  Very fair prices, but food is kind of average.  Extensive menu that has something for everyone.

Primo Ristorante X Vineria- Italian

Pleasant Italian eatery and wine bar in downtown Stuttgart.  Offers al fresco dining in the warm months.  We experienced exceptionally good service there and the food was also a hit.

Reiskorn- Asian fusion/vegan/vegetarian/lactose free/gluten free

We really loved this little place in downtown Stuttgart with its creative menu that caters to people with special dietary needs.  The atmosphere is a bit noisy and crowded, but the food is very interesting.  Highly recommended.

Ristorante da Maurizio- Italian

It appears this restaurant is now called Aria Enoteca.  The first link will take you to my review when it was still Ristorante da Maurizio.  I haven’t tried it in its latest incarnation, but it looks promising.

Safran- Persian

Lovely Persian cuisine at a downtown location near the Liederhalle.  Delicious grilled chicken, lamb, and beef/veal dishes, as well as vegetarian selections.  Cool goldfish pond and wonderful warm hospitality.  Reasonable prices.  A great choice for when you’re looking for something different.

Schweine Museum- German (pork)

The restaurant at the Schweine Museum is run by the same people who run the Ampulle Beef and Gin Bar.  There’s a great biergarten there, along with plenty of indoor seating.  Vegetarians and vegans may be a little challenged, but otherwise, there are a few options for non pork eaters.  If you like your pig, you will be in Heaven.  They have a whole lot of pork dishes to choose from, everything from burgers to t-bones.

The Gardener’s Nosh- Breakfast/health food

Little eatery on Calwer Strasse in downtown Stuttgart.  Offers a lot of egg inspired dishes, like Eggs Benedict and Eggs Hemingway, as well as sandwiches, salads, and French toast.

Top Air- International

Michelin starred restaurant at Stuttagart’s airport.  Very high class cuisine served in many courses and tiny portions.  Bring your credit card and prepared to be wowed by a chef’s artistry and creativity.  Be sure to book in advance, since there are only eight tables.

Tschito-Gwrito- Georgian (Republic of Georgia)

Absolutely fabulous Georgian cuisine in downtown Stuttgart.  Lovely Georgian wines by the glass or by the bottle, as well as a range of non-alcoholic beverages.  A great choice if you’re interested in something different.  Go with an open mind and be prepared to be amazed.  This restaurant has some items that are always available and others that can be pre-ordered.

Vereinsgaststätte TSV 07 Stuttgart- German/Schwabish

Decent Gasthaus near the Waldhotel in Degerloch.  Offers the usual Schwabish and German delights, like Schnitzel.  They also, curiously, have Corona beer.  Friendly service, good food, and convenient if you’re in the area watching sports or staying at the hotel.

Weber Restaurant- German/International/Thai

This restaurant seems to specialize in Thai food, but offers dishes for everyone, from Argentinian roast beef to vegan dishes to Italian pasta.  I recommend the Thai dishes, since that’s what they seem to push the most.  Bill and I enjoyed eating Thai inspired food here, even if the restaurant’s name doesn’t suggest Thai food.  I loved the green peanut curry soup.  Weber shuts down in the afternoon for a pause.

Yaz Eine Prise Oriental- Middle Eastern

Great, inexpensive, Middle Eastern restaurant on Calwer Strasse.  Offers a wide range of choices, even for vegetarians and vegans.  I think they also have gluten free dishes, too.  You can have a big platter of food or a tasty soup and salad or sandwich.  Highly recommended.

Allerheiligen/Openau

Allerheiligen Gaststätte- German

Simple German food near the Allerheiligen falls.  Open until 6:30pm, but serves food continuously throughout the day.  Excellent fresh trout, Black Forest cake, and pork dishes.  Also has menus for seniors, children, and vegetarians.  A good bet if you’re headed to the falls!

Bad Rippoldsau

Klösterle Hof- German/Swabian

Very good food at a hotel restaurant that was once a monastery.  Fresh trout, comforting local dishes, friendly and professional wait staff, and very nice wine list.  Highly recommended, especially after a hike!

Bebenhausen

Gasthof Sonne- German/Swabian

This “laid back” gasthaus is located just down the hill from Bebenhausen Monastery.  Typical Swabian fare is offered… lots of sausages and schnitzels.  They have a nice Biergarten for good weather.  Service is friendly and professional and prices are reasonable.

Böblingen

Check Inn Foodport- German/International

Aviation themed restaurant at Flugfeld.  Hearty meals, children’s menu, and a nice wine list.  Afterwards, you can head downstairs and try out the flight simulator, if you have the means.

The Mineraltherme- International

If you’re headed to the Mineraltherme Böblingen for a few hours in the pools, you might want to make time for lunch.  They have a great little bistro that offers healthy and delicious food.  Just be prepared for occasional nudity.  😉

HendlBurg (renamed from HendlHouse)- German chicken chain

The HendlHouse is a chain restaurant that offers chicken dishes.  I’m pretty sure the location in Böblingen was once a WienerWald, which is another chain restaurant specializing in chicken.  I think there is a WienerWald located nearby, but we haven’t been to it yet.  The HendlHouse has really good chicken and is a casual place, great for kids.  Parking may be challenging, though the restaurant has a couple of spots for guests.

Brauhaus Schoenbuch- German

A very popular place for Americans, especially the ones living near Panzer.  Huge tables and good beer make it a popular place for groups to meet up for lunch.  The food and service are good and it’s a good go to place to eat when you need lunch and it’s close to 2:00.  There’s a nice biergarten and place for kids to play.  Plenty of parking.

Restaurant Waldheim- German

Posting this listing for nostalgia’s sake.  Restaurant Waldheim was a beloved place for 35 years.  The owners moved their restaurant to Renningen and I haven’t yet had the chance to try it.  Hope to get there soon.  Restaurant Waldheim is now located in Renningen.  The location referenced in my review is defunct.

Ristorante Monte Cassino- Italian

Cute place right outside of Panzer Kaserne.  Reasonable prices and lots of free parking.  I have had better Italian food elsewhere, but this place is a good bet for lunch.  They have pizza, pasta, meat, and seafood dishes.  Next time we go, I will try something other than the pasta, which is what I’ve had both times I’ve visited.

Seegärtle Restaurant-Cafe-Bar- Burgers/Biergarten

Pleasant restaurant downtown near the lake.  Biergarten is nice during the warm months.  Service was friendly and prices were reasonable.  I liked the pastrami sandwich.

Wichtel Hausbrauerei- Pizzas, Flammkuechen, Schnitzel, Biergarten

Casual, family friendly brewery at the Flugfeld.  Reasonable prices, friendly service, decent food.  Kids menu.

Zum Reussenstein- Swabian

Very nice family owned restaurant and hotel in a residential area. Swabian cuisine freshly prepared by a TV chef.  Reservations are necessary, especially on weekends.  The restaurant also has a gourmet shop.

Calw

Ratsstube- German

This place was a lifesaver when we found ourselves in Calw after lunch hours.  We were there during asparagus season and I had lots of ham and white asparagus during our visit.  Very economical and big portions.  It’s a great place to people watch, too, because it’s right in the main square.

Schönbuch Bräu Brauhaus- German

This is the Calw location of the brauhaus most of us Americans known and love in Böblingen.  The menu and prices are the same and the service is kind and efficient.  I think I like it better than the one near Panzer.  The inside of it reminds me of a church.

Entringen
Agais- Greek

I have a lot of posts about Agais, which is a Greek restaurant near where we lived the first time we lived in the Stuttgart area. The post I linked to above is about one of our more recent visits. We like to visit Agais because we like the guy who owns it and his wife and they can use the business.

Im Gärtle- German (and an art museum)

Very cool German/Swabian restaurant on top of a hill in Entringen.  Traditional food and good service.  Lots of artwork on display.  Kid and pet friendly and you can pay with a credit card.  Free parking.  We had a nice Valentine’s Day dinner there.

Esslingen

HendlBurg- Chicken/chain restaurant

Specializes in yummy roasted chicken.  Also offers other choices for non chicken eaters.  This is a chain, but it’s worth a stop if you like chicken.

Sommer- Biergarten/cafe

We didn’t actually eat at Sommer, though I did notice they had food. We stopped there for a round of drinks while showing my mom around Esslingen. I need to get back to Esslingen to try out some of the places there, but we’re not that convenient to the town and you know how A8 is.

Fellbach

El Mero Mexicano- Mexican

Surprisingly good Mexican food, especially for Germany.  I loved the guacamole, which actually looked like guacamole instead of green snot.  There are no fajitas on the menu, but they do have a rotating menu as well as regular items.  May be worth a visit if you miss Mexican food, but book ahead.

Freudenstadt

Turmbrau- German/brew pub

Nice restaurant that serves typical Swabian fare and has a nice Biergarten.  Sometimes there’s also live entertainment at night.  Good food, good service, and fair prices.  It’s usually busy when we visit.

Gärtringen

Buffalo Grill and Bar- Burgers, steaks, appetizers

Nice place on the main drag that serves 100% beef burgers and steaks from the USA, Australia, and Argentina.  We have so far tried the burgers are were very impressed!  Highly recommended.  As of July 31, 2018, Buffalo Grill and Bar is CLOSED.

Gäufelden

Ristorante Pizzeria II Vecchio Lamm- Italian

Nice family run place.  Reasonable prices.  Parking may be a challenge, but obviously well-loved by locals.  Offers pizza, pasta, and meat dishes.


Haslach
 
The Haslacher Hof- German
Typical German restaurant connected to a sportsplatz.  Appears to be very popular with the locals.  Parking is plentiful and food is typical German fare.  It’s a good place for a schnitzel.

Herrenberg

Asia Gourmet Imbiss- Asian/Thai/Sushi

Small restaurant offering Thai inspired dishes and sushi.  Very kind man operates the restaurant, but did not appear to speak English.  Very economical and good food.  I will have to go back and try the sushi.

Cafe Atlelier- Cafe/Greek

This cute little cafe offers a small Greek inspired menu and lots of yummy looking pastries.  Prices are very reasonable, although the proprietor isn’t as friendly as his wife is.  Seems to be popular with ladies who lunch.

Cafe Gelataria La Piazza- Ice cream/Pizza/Pasta

A great go to Sunday restaurant in Herrenberg.  Serves pizza and pasta all day.  Offers breakfast and delicious desserts and cocktails.

China Panda- Asian/Chinese/Thai

Economical restaurant with ample parking and a nice buffet.  Good food and friendly service.  Seems to be a local favorite.

Restaurant Thermopyle- Greek

Decent Greek restaurant near the train station, memorable for their garlicky t’zatziki and crinkly fries.  It’s a local favorite, though I have had better Greek food elsewhere.

Gasthaus Lamm- German (pub food)

Extremely cute and cozy German place.  Very popular with the locals, so you may need reservations to get a table.  Good food and reasonable prices.  Portions are huge.  Beer is cold and tasty.  You’ll love it if you like quaint little German places with hearty food.

Hanoi Pho- Vietnamese/Asian

Very reasonably priced restaurant that specializes in Vietnamese food and also serves some German style Chinese favorites.  Nice ambiance in the restaurant and an outdoor area for when the weather is nice.

Hotel Gasthof Hasen- German

A lovely place to eat a nice meal, the Hotel Gasthof Hasen is connected to a hotel.  It’s kind of a “smart” place to eat.  Service is excellent and the food is a touch on the elegant side.  Parking is available.  I have been meaning to go back since our visit last year.

Mauerwerk- German/Thai/eclectic

Cool restaurant/theater in what used to be a church.  Has a cool brick facade on the inside.  Very good contemporary cuisine, beautifully presented.  Right on the main drag in Herrenberg.  Has a youthful vibe, though not really a kid friendly place.  Reservations recommended.

Naturfreundehaus am Schönbuch- German self-service/biergarten

This is a pleasant, cheap place to eat right across from nature trails overlooking Herrenberg’s outskirts.  Food and beverages are self-service.  You order; they give you a number; and you pick up your food.  Afterwards, you bus your table.  Food is good, filling, and inexpensive and you get to look at beautiful natural scenery.  Parking is free and plentiful.

Osteria da Gino- Swabian/Italian

Very cute little place right off the main market square in Herrenberg.  Excellent food and good service.  Good wine list!  Reservations recommended.

Ristorante Del Sole- Italian/Pizza

Pleasant restaurant on Seestrasse.  Nice biergarten when the weather is good and a broad selection of pizzas, pastas, and salads, as well as fish and meat dishes.  Reasonable prices and competent service.

Holzgerlingen

Ocean’s First- Seafood

Cool restaurant in a corporate complex in Holzgerlingen.  Seafood is fresh, not frozen.  A lot of what is offered you could find in other local restaurants, though they do have an impressive lobster dish.  Very friendly service and an awesome terrace.  Recommended for seafood lovers, though they do also have items for those who don’t like seafood.  Ocean’s First is NOW CLOSED.

Restaurant Veranda- Russian/former Soviet cuisine

This restaurant is in the same location the former Ocean’s First was in.  It offers a brunch on Sunday, as well as a broad variety of dishes from around the former Soviet Union.  We saw choices ranging from Georgian, Ukrainian, Russian, and Uzbek dishes.  Full bar and wine list.  Good service and reasonable prices.  Highly recommended, especially if you speak any Russian.

Jettingen

da Enzo- Italian

Fantastic pizza from a stone oven.  Great fresh pasta.  Very kid friendly! We really enjoyed our visit to this restaurant and I think we’ll be regulars soon.  NOTE: da Enzo appears to be owned by different people now.  It’s been closed for awhile and recently reopened with a new name.  We haven’t yet tried it since the name changed, though the food still appears to be Italian.  Will update ASAP.

Tommi’s Bistro- Steak

This place rocks.  Best steak we’ve had in Germany anywhere.  They also have live music– concerts and open mic nights.  Friendly wait staff and good wine.  Go.  And try the Argentinian dry aged beef.  Or the Irish beef.  Tommi’s Bistro is now CLOSED.  However, in November 2019, the owner is opening a new place in Nagold called Bahnhof 1872. 

 
Pizzeria da Piero – Italian
This is a typical Italian place in Jettingen.  You can get pizza, pasta, and a few other main courses.  Last time we went there, we had shrimp and fish, but Bill has often stopped there for takeout pizza and pasta when we had no motivation to cook.  Service is good and they have a play area for kids.  There’s also a nice covered biergarten open in the summer months.  There is a small parking lot.

Restaurant Bei Stefan- Greek, burgers

Located in a sportsplatz near Jettingen’s Real, this is a restaurant with good food at reasonable prices. We tried Greek food when we visited, but we could have tried one of the burgers, which looked good.   Unfortunately, Germans don’t usually do burgers the way I’d prefer them.  Maybe one day I’ll get brave.  Very handy if you’re shopping.

Zum Schiff- German
Charming gasthaus on the main drag through Jettingen.  We live close enough to walk there, but there is some limited parking near the restaurant.  The menu is limited, but what they do, they do well.  The proprietor appears to be friends with everyone who visits her.  I don’t think she speaks English, but others working there do.
Taverne beim Griechen- Greek
This is probably my favorite place to get Greek food near where I live.  It’s located in a sportsplatz and offers plenty of seating, especially for groups.  The menu includes the usual Greek specialties, but they also have several delicious fish dishes.  The owner speaks English, though I don’t think most of the wait staff does.  It doesn’t matter to us.  The food is great!
Taverne bei Dimi- Greek
Another Greek place.  We go here pretty often because it’s really close to our house.  The brother and sister team who run it are really nice and they have slot machines and a smoking area for those so inclined.  The food is also good and they offer takeout, which Bill took advantage of last night.  Dimi’s is now under new ownership and has apparently turned into a bar where people smoke and gamble.  We haven’t been back since the place changed hands.

Kemnat

Ristorante Campioni- Italian

Excellent Italian restaurant connected to a sportsplatz.  They have pizza, pasta, and fancier dishes for the inclined.  I recommend making reservations if you’re going on the weekend.  It was packed when we visited.

Krone Gasthaus- German

Traditional German gasthaus with creatively prepared dishes.  I had some really good beef there accompanied by horseradish sauce.  I haven’t been back since we moved to Jettingen, but we enjoyed our one visit there.

Cheap Eats- Greek

Okay, that’s not really the name of the restaurant, but I am listing it because it’s super cheap… In the blog post, you can see a picture of the menu proving that I’m not lying.

Leinfelden

Eselsmühle im Siebenmühlental- Self-service/German/Health

Cute little cafe that serves schnitzels, salads, soups, and sausages.  Kind of a self-service place.  You may have to pick up your own food and bus your table… or you may not.  Stop in the shop and pick up some fresh bread made in their wood oven.

Schwabengarten- Biergarten/German

Huge seasonal biergarten in Leinfelden.  Very popular with Americans and Germans alike.  Self-service, kid friendly, and fair prices.  Plenty of free parking for cars and bikes.  They have outside tables with and without umbrellas and a covered area.  I also saw an indoor area, but no one was sitting in it.  That must be for rainy days.  Great ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, along with the usual biergarten fare.

Leonberg

Gastronomiewelt Glemstal- German BBQ

We visited this restaurant connected to a sportsplatz when someone suggested their ribs.  When we got to the restaurant, it turned out that they only offer ribs on certain days.  They have a smoker, though, so you can take your pick of smoked delicacies.  I recommend joining their Facebook page to find out when they have certain popular menu items.  We had a perfectly good lunch there anyway… and they have a pleasant biergarten for when the weather is nice.

Ludwigsburg

Cafe barOn- Cafe/German/Italian/salads and soups

This is a popular spot on the main square in Ludwigsburg.  There’s a nice area for sitting outside as well as a bustling indoor dining room.  The menu has lots of salads, sandwiches, and a few soups available, as well as a couple of pasta dishes.  I think they offer daily specials which are reasonably priced and well prepared.  It seems like more of a bar/cafe than a full scale restaurant.

Emporio Bar- Italian

Pleasant Italian restaurant on the main drag through Ludwigsburg.  Has an impressive bar and the kitchen stays open all day, so you can pop in for a late lunch.  Food is pretty good and the prices are fair.

Jambo African Restaurant- African

I got turned on to this restaurant by a fellow American who sang its praises.  It’s a great place for African cuisine and wines.  Last time we were there, Bill feasted on ostrich, while I enjoyed a chicken and peanut dish.  We are due for another trip to Ludwigsburg soon and it may be time for another shot of African cuisine.

Reina Grillhaus- Turkish

This restaurant is near the big mall in Ludwigsburg.  The food is very good and reasonably priced.  During our visit, the dining room was packed with satisfied customers.  I highly recommend it for Turkish cuisine.  Reina has moved since we last ate there, but it’s still close to the mall.

La Signora Moro- Italian

We’ve eaten at this restaurant several times, but I have yet to write a proper review of it.  The post I linked to has pictures of their food, which has always been uniformly good.  On a nice day, you can sit in the biergarten and watch goings on in Ludwigsburg.  It can be a lot of fun on a Saturday when people are getting married or the market is going on.

Lavazza- Greek/coffeebar/cafe

Lovely Greek/Mediterranean food just outside the main square in Ludwigsburg.  The dining room is a bit small, but they have several large tables, as well as a few two tops.  Although I had gyros during my first visit, they seem to specialize in fish.  Next time we go there, I’m going to try something that swims!

Pizzeria Permesso- Italian/pizza

Pizzeria on Ludwigsburg’s market square that offers wood fired Italian pizzas, pastas, meat, and fish dishes.  Beautifully presented food and probably the best Tagliatelle Salmone I’ve ever eaten.

Sam Kullman’s Diner- American diner

American style diner near the train station.  Lots of burgers, ribs, and snacks.  Full bar, shakes, desserts, and breakfast.  Seems popular with young people.  We tried the ribs and liked them.

Towers Irish Pub- Irish pub

Located in a corner on the big square in Ludwigsburg, this charming Irish pub offers standard pub grub.  It’s worth a visit for the food and beer, but also for the beautiful woodwork inside, which was imported from churches in England.  Children’s menu is available.

Möhringen

Anno 1897- Greek

Great Greek place right next to the train station.  They have very good Greek food, flammkuechen, and barbecue.  There’s a biergarten and entertainment for kids (books).  Friendly wait staff and a small parking area for guests.

 
Ristorante La Piazzetta- Italian

We had a really pleasant meal al fresco at this restaurant last summer.  It was very busy, so the service was a little slow.  However, the food was very good and reasonably priced.  There are a few parking spots located nearby, though we were staying at a local hotel, so we walked.

Lindenhof Gasthaus- German

Super cute German gasthaus across the street from the Flora Hotel, which is where Bill and I spent our first week back in Germany.  They offer traditional German food there that appeared to be somewhat upscale.  A children’s menu is available.

Il Cappuccino Feinkost- Italian

I have fond memories of this restaurant if only because when we got there, I was so hangry I was about to die.  We had a beautiful Italian meal and some good wine and all was good in my world again.  I don’t think they have a working Web site and we haven’t been back since last year, but I would definitely dine there again if the opportunity presented itself.

Osteria Tra-Noi- Italian

I didn’t get the greatest impression of this restaurant, though it was usually pretty busy during our brief stay at the Flora Hotel.

Patrick’s Stop: Jamaican Eat In & Take Away- Jamaican/Soul Food

Awesome Jamaican food and plenty of free parking!  Patrick’s offers daily specials, as well as a couple of dishes that are always available.  A really nice change of pace from the usual restaurant offerings in these parts.  The Jamaican Jerk chicken is very spicy and may be just what the doctor ordered for spice lovers.  Highly recommended!  Note- I have heard that Patrick’s is closing, but I’ve also heard it’s moving back to its original location in Mohringen.  ETA: As of March 29, 2017, Patrick’s Stop is back in Mohringen.

Nagold

Alte Post- German/Swabian/International

Really nice restaurant right on the main square in Nagold.  Pricey and very good food.  Nice place for a date night.  Alte Post is now CLOSED.

Burg- German

Very nice gasthof with traditional German dishes.  The trout is amazing!

China Pavillon– Chinese

Beautifully decorated Asian restaurant with a broad array of Chinese dishes.  Good service and very fair prices.  Full bar.

City Imbiss- Pizza/doner kebab

Inexpensive snack bar that offers pizza and doner kebab, as well as beer and wine.  Always smells delicious!  Good food and service.

Fellini’s Ristorante- Italian

Italian restaurant that offers pizza, pasta, and a wide range of fish and beef dishes.  If you hate mushrooms, make sure to tell them.  They seem to use them liberally.  Otherwise, it’s a very nice place.

Hotel Adler- German
This restaurant is part of a hotel.  The dining room is beautiful and the food is very typical German fare.  We went on a scorching hot day and sweated through lunch, though they do have an outdoor area.

Il Due- Italian

Small Italian restaurant right off the main square in Nagold.  Has pizza, pasta, and specials.  Nice bar area.  It’s a good idea to make reservations for popular times as it’s a well known and loved restaurant.  It’s often packed when we pass it.  Pleasant service, though not especially speedy.

La Meo- Italian (pizza and pasta)

Inexpensive cafe/bar/bistro next to the Edeka in Nagold.  Convenient, casual, and kid friendly.  The pizza is very good.  Worth a stop if you’re shopping or staying at the nearby Ibis.

Longwy- German biergarten

Nice bar and restaurant next to the river in Nagold.  Awesome place to people watch.  The menu is somewhat limited, but they have pasta, flammkuechen, salads, and schnitzel.

Luz Bistro Bar- International/fish/steaks

Affiliated with the Alte Post, which appears to much more formal.  We haven’t tried the Alte Post since the change, but we have eaten at Luz Bistro Bar several times and enjoyed each time.  There is a kid’s menu.  Luz Bistro is now CLOSED.

Olive- Greek

This restaurant is located on the road toward the Black Forest.  It offers a nice Biergarten, good Greek food, and a play area for your kids.  You get plenty for your money and free parking to boot.

Osteria da Gino – Italian (not pizza)

Gino offers a great experience.  Bill and I have been to his restaurant several times since the spring and we’ve never had a menu.  We just let Gino feed us and he never disappoints.  We took my mom to his place in July and had a great time.  It’s an Italian restaurant, but don’t go there looking for pizza.

Panorama Eiscafe and Pizzeria- Italian (pizza, pasta, salads, and ice cream)

Pleasant Italian eatery that offers pizza, pasta, salads, and ice cream.  Friendly service and very impressive ice cream creations.  Reasonable prices and kid friendly.  Great place to people watch if you sit outside.  If you get ice cream to go, you aren’t allowed to sit at a table.

Provinciale- Italian (pizza and pasta)

Basic pizza and pasta restaurant and eis cafe.  Kid friendly and right on the main square in Nagold.  Reasonable prices.  Interior smells great, or at least it did when we were there.

Taverne Mykonos- Greek

This is a popular Greek restaurant in Nagold, located very close to Gino’s.  The night we visited, it was pretty busy.  Reservations may be a good idea.  The food is very good, though the service was a little slow the night we visited.

Tapinos- Spanish (tapas)

Adorable tapas bar situated next to the river.  Nice wines available and tequila.  Lots of different Spanish tapas available a la carte, or you can order the special, which is five different tapas for twenty two euros a person.  We found this place a nice change of pace from German, Italian, and Greek food.

Waldhorn- Italian

Local favorite Italian place, with lots of pizza, pasta, meat, and fish dishes.  Good food at reasonable prices.  Friendly wait staff.  Worth a stop.

Plieningen

Wirtshaus Garbe- German biergarten

Great biergarten not far from Kelley Barracks.  Traditional German food and plenty of beer on tap.

Pforzheim

Fischzucht Zordel- Fish (trout)

Delightful trout farm near Pforzheim (Neuenbürg/Eyachtal) where you can have fresh fish, yummy soup, and beer.  When you’re finished eating, you can feed the trout who are waiting their turn to be processed.  Very fun spot for kids and very economical.  Plenty of parking and you may even want to take some fish home for later.

Rechburghausen

Alte Statione- Pizza, pasta, steaks

Nice little restaurant in this town east of Stuttgart.  Offers pizza, pasta, steaks, and drinks at fair prices.  Good service and rooms to rent.

Seewald

Seeheiner Cafe and Gasthof- German biergarten

Very cool biergarten in Seewald.  Overlooks the lake and has a revolving outdoor seating area that rotates very slowly.  Excellent German food!  Try the trout or the schweinebraten.  Both are absolutely delicious!  Very kid friendly, though not really vegetarian friendly.

Sindelfingen

Corners- Burgers/Steaks/Cocktails

Very American friendly burger place in the heart of downtown Sindelfingen.  Good burgers and service, although we happened to be there when there was an apparent shortage of paper products.

3 Mohren- Turkish/ Sunday brunch buffet

Stylish Turkish restaurant that offers a popular brunch buffet on Sundays.  Full bar and nice selection of Turkish wines.  Fresh Turkish food, straight from the grill, and a nice outdoor terrace for pleasant days.

Funzel- German

Nice family friendly German restaurant in the old part of Sindelfingen.  Good place for your favorite local dishes.  Was very crowded on our first visit, but the food was good and the beer was cold.

Gaststätte SchützenHaus- German

Great place to go for inexpensive eats, especially at lunch time.  German and Swabian favorites, kid friendly, dog friendly, vegetarian friendly, and they’ll give you smaller portions if you ask.

Göktas- Turkish/Buffet

No frills Turkish cafe and restaurant.  Alcohol free, good food, very casual, and kid friendly.  Inexpensive.  Nice change of pace and very popular with Turkish people.

Miyo- Asian

Asian “soul food” restaurant located at Breuningerland.  Offers sushi, Chinese food, Thai food, and Cambodian.  Not bad, especially if you’re in a hurry.  Also not particularly special.

Paulaner Bar Sindelfingen– German

Cozy, dimly lit beer bar across from the Stern Center.  Offers free parking in a garage and participates in the Nettle Toilette program.  Offers inexpensive, typically German food and Paulaner beers.

Sindlingen

Sindlinger Hof- El Greco- Greek

Beautiful restaurant across the street from the Sindlinger Schloss and horse farm.  Good food and decent service.  There’s nothing else to Sindlingen, but this is worth a stop if you’re passing through and it’s open.

Tailfingen

Grüner Baum- French

Great restaurant on the main drag in Tailfingen.  The daily menu is a great deal– four courses for under 25 euros a person!  Unique food for the area, freshly prepared, excellent service, and very kid and pet friendly!  Parking can be a challenge and you should call ahead if you want to eat outside and require the non smoking area.  English is spoken, too!  We will be back for sure.

Tübingen

Afrika Bar und Restaurant- African (Ethiopia and Eritrea)

Nice restaurant near the university that serves authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.  Great place for ostrich and, if you have time, a traditional Ethiopian coffee service.  Good South African wines available, too.  Reasonable prices and good prices.

Alte Kunst- Italian

Great place for dorade or fresh pasta.  Right on the hill on the way to Tuebingen’s main plaza by the Rathaus.  Good service and offers a fine place for people watching.

Die Kelter- International

I love this cool restaurant in Tübingen.  It’s located near the big parking garage at the university clinic.  There’s a separate bar area as well as a restaurant that pretty much has something offered non-stop.  The food is very good and so is the service, but be prepared to hike to the bathroom.

Die Kicher Erbse- Middle Eastern/Vegetarian/Imbiss

Delicious falafel and hummus place.  Food is very inexpensive, though there’s not many options for sitting down in the restaurant.  Very tasty food, popular with students and fit people.

El Chico- Mexican

First thing’s first.  El Chico doesn’t offer authentic Mexican food.  It’s German style Mexican food.  If you want authentic Mexican food, you will be disappointed.  Bill and I have eaten at El Chico twice and found the food edible, if not missing a certain something in the translation.  The restaurant offers a great view of the Neckar River and outdoor seating.  If German style Mexican food doesn’t appeal, you can always visit the Neckarmueller downstairs.

Forelle Weinstube- German

A very quaint, homey, cozy, traditional restaurant not far from the big church and the Rathaus.  Very good food, kind service, and a nice selection of wines.  Seems to be popular with locals.  Reservations may be a good idea if you want to go for dinner during the weekend.

Krumme Brücke- German/International/Steak/cheap eats

This is a little hole in the wall that serves a variety of dishes, everything from steaks to gyros.  Seating is limited; service is a bit slow; but prices are very fair and there’s no pause between lunch and dinner.  I would avoid the gyros if you have your heart set on Greek style.  The German food appears to be pretty good.

La Cantinella- Italian

Very nice Italian place right by the Neckar River.  We ate there several times last time we lived here and finally made it back in late January 2017.  Pasta dishes, specials, fish, meats… no pizza, though.  Lots of good wines.

Laf Laf- Middle Eastern/fast food

Awesome cheap Middle Eastern food at this little hole in the wall near the Konig Parkhaus.  Vegetarian friendly and you can get lots of food for very little money.  Alcohol free establishment.  Open daily and does delivery.

Lustnauer Mühle- Italian

Pleasant Italian restaurant in a residential part of Tübingen.  Has a wood pizza oven and offers pasta, fish, and meat dishes.  No official wine list, but several bottles are available for purchase.  Had a nice vibe until we got stared down by a rude woman who kept glaring at us.  Service is good.

Neckarmueller- German biergarten

I love to visit the Neckarmueller on sunny days and sit in the biergarten.  But when the weather sucks, they have a nice indoor restaurant with large portions.  The food is good and so is the beer, which is your typical German variety.  It’s a great place to bring guests who want a biergarten experience.

Osteria da Michele- Italian

Cozy Italian place not too far from Vinum, one of my favorite booze stores.  Good pasta, reasonable prices, and friendly service.  When we visited, they had perfumes in the bathroom.  Fancy!

Pizzeria da Vito- Italian

Small, family owned place on the street leading away from the big parking garage near the clinic.  We used to eat there often the first time we were in Germany, but have only been back once since coming back.  They have good pizza and pasta, though I have had better dorade elsewhere.  This restaurant is now closed– it’s now a Greek restaurant called Olive.

Ratskeller- Burgers, German food, pasta, vegan/vegetarian

Casual restaurant that offers a lot of burgers, many of which cater to vegans and vegetarians.  They also have some German specialties and specials that include pasta, salad, and soup.  Seems to be a popular hangout for college kids.  Hosts music events.  Good craft beer and wines available.

Refugio- Fancy German cuisine/hotel

Lovely upscale restaurant at Hotel La Casa, a five star boutique spa hotel.  We had a fantastic date night there.  Service was impeccable and the food was excellent.  Highly recommended.

Restaurant Rosenau- French/Schwabish/German

Nice restaurant on the outskirts of Tübingen.  Very good service, somewhat formal, though you don’t necessarily have to dress up to eat there.  Good place for a date night, though may be more appealing to older folks.  Restaurant is connected to a hotel.

Gaststätte Stern- Italian

Cute little Italian place right next door to Vinum.  Good food and charming interior, but service was a little slow when we visited and they ran out of a few specials.  It was very crowded, though.  Don’t go there looking for pizza.  I didn’t see it listed on the menu.

Wurstkuche- German

Great place for sausage.  Our first German landlord took us there for dinner on Thanksgiving Day in 2007.  It’s a good place for German fare, beer, and German charm.  I once had a delicious duck special there, too.

Vaihingen

The Auld Rogue- Irish bar

Popular with Americans and other English speakers, the Auld Rogue is a great place to go for sandwiches, fish n’ chips, and the odd special.  They have a nice selection of Irish suds as well as whiskey, whisky, and other alcoholic stuff.  There’s always a game on or live entertainment… I’ve even heard they have karaoke sometimes.  If I lived closer, I’d probably be there all the time!

Chilli’s- Mexican “Tex-Mex”

Located in the space that used to house Neuer Ochsen, Chill’s is a chain restaurant that opened in June 2016.  The food is not bad, though it probably won’t make you miss American style Mexican food less.  Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.  They did a good job on my mixed drinks.  Chilli’s is NOW CLOSED.

Daily Burger- fast food/burgers/wings

Small restaurant offering beef, chicken, and veggie burgers and fries.  The fries and buns are delicious.  Food is made to order.  Not too bad for German burgers, but it doesn’t make me miss Five Guys less.

Holzkrug- German (chicken)

Like roasted chicken?  This is a great little place to go to on the main drag through Vaihingen.  It’s a cozy little place that offers good German food.  But seriously, I go for the chicken.  It’s to die for!

King’s Palace- Asian

Decent Chinese and Thai food.  Located next to the Schwaben Gallerie on the main drag in Vaihingen.  Lots of choices and reasonable prices.

La Cocina Mexicana- Mexican

Mexican restaurant run by a South African guy with a reputation.  We thought the food was okay and the service was good.  Rumor has it that the owner is not a fan of kids and is very outspoken.  We met him and yes, he’s outspoken and blunt.  But in all honesty, we weren’t displeased.  True Mexican food fans may be disappointed, but we weren’t.  This location is closed as of 2018, however the owner is reopening in Möhringen.  This is the new contact info.   

Richterstr. 23, 70567, Stuttgart – Möhringen, Germany

Tel/ WhatsApp: +49 172 711 9806

Email: houstonsfbc@gmail.com

Mikomi Sushi and Grill- Japanese/sushi

Sushi and grill that has taken the space that once housed Neuer Ochsen and Chilli’s.  Located next to the Schwaben Galerie.  Very good food and an excellent value, particularly their Bento Box deals.  Good service, too.

Neuer Ochsen- German

This was a favorite spot for Bill and me the first time we lived in Germany.  We still like to visit for good beer and hearty German fare.  It’s located right next to the Schwaben Galerie, which makes it super convenient.  I like the “fitness salad”, which doesn’t seem all that “fit” between you, me, and the fencepost.  Neuer Ochsen is NOW CLOSED.

Wirtshaus Drive Biergarten- German/Pizza/Pasta

Recently beautifully renovated restaurant in Vaihingen with a nice sportsbar atmosphere.  Kids menu available and limited parking.  Biergarten out back.  Service is a little slow, but food is decent and plentiful.  Lots of Germans were there when we visited, enjoying the football game.  It’s a comfortable place to watch it.

Waldachtal

Restaurant Waldachtal- Buffet/ Brazilian Steakhouse

If you like buffets, you could visit the Restaurant Waldachtal in the Black Forest town by the same name.  On Saturday nights, they have a huge “American” buffet, all you can eat for 18 euros.  On Friday nights, they have a “Brazilian Steakhouse” night.  It’s noisy, but you can eat all you want for little money.  Reserve first.

Waldenbuch

Gasthof Krone-  German/French

Wonderful dinner spot.  Reservations are a must.  Bring cash or an EC card, though in a pinch they can handle credit cards.  Food is very sophisticated and imaginatively prepared and presented.  Not a kid friendly place, though there were a couple of them there on our first visit.  Expensive, but worth it, in my opinion.

Ritter Sport Factory Cafe- Breakfast, coffee, cake

Great place to eat breakfast, especially on the weekends.  I recommend reservations because it appears to be a favorite spot for Germans to come on Sundays.  They offer breakfast all day, as well as coffee, cake, beer, and wine.  They have non breakfast options, too.  Free parking.

Weil der Stadt

Samowar- Russian

In the mood for something different?  Head over to Samowar and have some blinis, stuffed peppers, and borscht!  Prices are fair, food is delicious and different, and the inside of the restaurant is tiny, but charming.  We loved it!

Wildberg

Talblick Gourmetrestaurant- Fine dining

Superb fine dining restaurant offering tasting menus.  Reservations are a must.  Part of a hotel and there is also a more traditional restaurant with an a la carte menu available.  Plenty of free parking and accepts credit cards.  The gourmet restaurant is not very kid friendly, though the main restaurant looks like kids are easily accommodated.  Highly recommended!

Zuffenhausen

Triple B Burgers- Burgers

Great burgers!  Parking can be a challenge and there may be big crowds because the burgers are truly outstanding.  If you go for dinner, I recommend booking ahead.  Today’s burger was the closest I’ve had to an American style burger since we’ve been in Germany.  Well worth a trip.  Triple B Burgers has moved since I reviewed it.  There are three locations.  One is in Stuttgart, one is in Esslingen, and the other is in Zuffenhausen.

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concerts, Germany, restaurant reviews, Stuttgart

Dinner and a live show… Diana Krall in Stuttgart

Over the weekend, Bill and I managed to score deeply discounted tickets to see Diana Krall at the Liederhalle in Stuttgart.  Until last night, I was sort of a casual fan of Diana Krall’s music.  I like it very much when it’s playing, but I don’t always make a point of purchasing her albums unless I get into a certain mood.  After last night, I’m thinking I need to listen to her more often… especially the older, jazzier stuff she did before she made her latest album, Wallflower.

I wrote about Krall’s concert in detail on my music blog, if anyone is interested.  On this blog, I’ll just say it was a fabulous show and we really enjoyed ourselves, communing with Germans over jazzy tunes.  I will also say that this was my second concert experience at the Liederhalle (the first being Lyle Lovett in 2009) and it’s a wonderful venue for acoustic music.  I think it may now be my favorite place to hear live music, though I have admittedly not been to a whole lot of concerts.  Both shows I’ve seen there were wonderfully intimate and afforded a great view of the stage and the performers.  It helped that last night, we were on the eighth row!

A shot of the stage before Diana Krall came out.

The Liederhalle has a bar, a coat check, and plenty of restroom facilities, but be sure to bring your 50 cents for the Klofrau.  I know you can’t take for granted being able to pee without paying anywhere in Germany!  There is a metro stop nearby.  The Liederhalle is right next to the Berlinerplatz station.

Parking is also plentiful and relatively inexpensive, though there was a huge line to pay after the show.  One of the machines wasn’t working, which slowed us down a bit.  We paid five euros for about four hours.  One thing we learned last night is that you shouldn’t put your ticket in the machine to exit the garage until there’s enough room for you to pull up past the gate.  We watched one lady in a Smart Car do that last night, after she cut in front of us as Bill was trying to maneuver out of reverse.  She put the ticket in too early and the gate closed on her before she could pull through.  Then we had to wait for an attendant to lift the gate for her.  So much for her attempt at trying to save time by cutting in front of us.  😉

There are also plenty of restaurants in the area.  Last night, I chose to book one through OpenTable, an online restaurant reservation service.  I have been using OpenTable since 2002 and have 9500 “dining points” saved up.  Although you can’t get points for the US program in Germany (you get points for the German program instead), I did want to keep my account active so the ones I’ve been saving for thirteen years don’t expire.  You have to make one reservation a year or you lose your points.  I’m hoping they won’t expire, since I have no plans to go back to the States anytime soon.

The restaurant we chose last night was an Italian place called La Commedia.  It’s about a five minute walk from the Liederhalle and I noticed it got good ratings from other OpenTable members.  I knew nothing about the restaurant when I booked it, but decided on it when I noticed that it was really close to the concert venue and appeared to be well-liked by others.  I reserved for 6:15pm.

The restaurant turned out to be not very intimate.  It’s very open, with bright lights (that went down at 7:00), a bit of noise, and a large bar area separated by an electric sliding door.  It’s also attached to a theater of some sort and I could tell the waiters were used to serving the pre-theater/concert crowd.  When we arrived, we were shown to a two top next to a curtain.  It wasn’t the most romantic spot, but I didn’t really see any romantic spots in the place.

Obligatory shot of Bill looking studly.

 

And one of me at home…  It was time for a new selfie.

 
 

One of us together… See?  You can barely tell I’m missing a tooth, though the hole still feels huge to me.  Dr. Blair says that in 8-10 weeks, I can fill it in with an implant.

We took a moment to check out the menu.  The waiter was very prompt and would have taken our food order with our drink order.  I later saw why he was so prompt.  By 7:00, the restaurant was full.  Bill ordered San Pellegrino and a bottle of pinot grigio.

I started with the tomato soup, garnished with croutons and fresh basil.  This was a thick, rich soup, so I didn’t finish the whole thing.  It tasted good, but reminded me a little of marinara sauce.  The croutons were a little soggy.  

Bill had a vegetable minestrone, which he pronounced very good.  I didn’t taste it, but I think I would have preferred it to the tomato soup, which was a little heavy.  Note the candle holder.  It was made from an old bottle of Dom Perignon.

Fresh parmesan cheese wheel…

I was much happier with the second course, branzino (wolfbarsch) served with julienned vegetables.  The fish was cooked to perfection and tasted wonderful, but I particularly enjoyed the vegetables.  Peppers, onions, zucchini, and carrots were tossed with a little oil and lightly seasoned.  The flavors were exciting and really complimented the fish.

 

Bill had grilled shrimp served with sautéed spinach.  Once again, it was the vegetables that shone on his dish.  The spinach was perfect and a little buttery.  Not too mushy.  The shrimp were pierced with a spear of fresh rosemary. 

We decided to have dessert, since there was enough time before the concert.  I had tiramisu and Bill had a lemon sorbet…

I enjoyed this interesting presentation of the tiramisu, which was drizzled with chocolate and topped with fresh fruit.

Bill’s sorbet was light and refreshing.  It reminded me of lemon flavored snow, if I’d ever had that.

Bill asked for the check with dessert so we could pay and leave.  The server was happy to oblige us, since he had his hands full with a couple of large parties.  Our bill came to 95 euros.  By the time we got back from a last restroom stop, the server had already set our table for the next turn.

La Commedia offers good food and I think it’s a fine place to go before a show or for a business gathering.  I wouldn’t call it a romantic spot, nor do I think it’s a particularly charming restaurant.  In a way, it kind of reminded me of corporate restaurants in the United States.  But you can get a nice meal there and the service is good, if not a bit more rushed than what I’ve gotten used to in Germany. I’d go back again, though, if the opportunity presented itself.

Below are some pictures I took on yesterday’s walk.  Fall foliage is in full color in my neighborhood. There are some glorious scenes where I live…  Maybe today, I’ll get dressed and go for another walk…

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dental

An afternoon in Stuttgart…

Bill and I both had appointments this afternoon to see Dr. Blair in Stuttgart, so he took off work early and picked me up.  We both got dental cleanings and a quick once over by the dentist.  I was supposed to have impressions done for my implant, but the lady who does them has a stomach virus.  Needless to say, I’m glad she called in sick.

Because I didn’t leave Dr. Blair’s office with a bleeding hole in my mouth or in tears, it was a great opportunity for us to wander around the city center.  For some reason, last time we lived near Stuttgart, we didn’t explore the city very much.  I think we had one dinner at a nice restaurant and a visit each to the zoo and the Mercedes Museum.  That was pretty much it.  Dr. Blair’s office is right in the middle of downtown and we had beautiful weather, so Bill and I took a walk around.

We visited a church…

I love how churches in Europe are open so people can just walk in and look around.  We went into the foyer, but I was really hungry, so we didn’t stay long…

Schillerplatz…

We finally ended up at the Markthalle, which my friend Susanne had recommended for food shopping.  She’s right.  It’s a great place to go for fancy foods.  Reminded me slightly of the Dallmayr gourmet market in Munich, only it was less crowded and not quite as hoity toity.

Bill poses by dry aged beef…

We need to come back when it’s time to shop. 

They have everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats, candies, liquors, and cheeses.

The area around the Markthalle is very pleasant…

Lots of cafes and trees; plenty of places to sit down and have a drink or a nice meal…

We’ll be back… as soon as next Monday, actually.  I have to go back and get my impressions done.

 

We made our way back to the area near Dr. Blair’s office, passing a guy playing a super fast rendition of the second movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on an electronic piano.  It was impressively played, but I wondered what his hurry was.  The weather was so perfect and the mood around him was almost languid as people passed.

 

We ended up having dinner at the Paulaner bar in the old post office.  We were lucky because today is the first Monday of the month, which meant they had spare ribs…  It was just what we were in the mood for.

I catch Bill looking naughty.  He said he was smiling like this because some guy belched loudly as he walked into the restaurant.  For once, I didn’t notice.

This beer really went down easy.  Sometimes I get bored with hefeweizens, but when they are fresh from the tap and I’m thirsty, they are just what the doctor ordered.

Bill checks out the “once a month special” spare ribs.  It came with cole slaw and fries…  He brought some home.  They brought him a finger bowl with the funny warning not to drink the lemon water.  I guess someone must have done that, hence the warning.

I had grilled chicken, which is what I’ve been craving for ages…  Mine came with a salad and fries.  the salad included potato salad, which was delicious but seemed almost like overkill.  The chicken was moist, succulent, and absolutely delicious.  We are going to have to go back for sure, especially since it’s so close to the dentist.

 

Cute little Jack Russell Terrier.  She startled me a couple of times with a loud bark, but was otherwise adorable and well behaved.  She was with a large group of guys who seemed like they’d been buddies for a long time.

Smoking is allowed in the restaurant.  There’s also a very nice outdoor seating area.  Don’t know how much longer they’ll keep it open as winter approaches, but a lot of people were enjoying the nice weather today.  Maybe we should have, too, though the inside of the restaurant is very charming.  Service was quick, friendly, and professional; the wait staff was all dressed in traditional garb.  Our final bill was about 39 euros.  Worth every euro cent!  We’ll be back for more!

Maybe we should have sat outside…

All in all, it was a great afternoon in Stuttgart.  We need to go there more often and enjoy what the city has to offer.  We’ll be back twice more in the next week, though, so there will be more photos for sure.

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anecdotes

A PSA: If you’re going to put your dog in the local hunde pension…

Please be very sure you let them know if your dog has any medical problems or allergies.  It could mean the difference between life and death.

My husband and I have used the same dog hotel in Germany during both of our tours here.  Our dogs have always gotten good care there.  In fact, last time we were living here, our dog Flea had prostate cancer.  Our German dog sitters at the hunde hotel took great care of him, allowing us to take one last trip to Budapest before moving to Atlanta.  We lost Flea in November 2009, a couple of months after relocating to the States.

Since moving back to Germany, the hunde pension we use has had a change in managers.  The newer manager is very kind and our dogs love her.  When we go to the hotel, they greet her enthusiastically and they always say goodbye when it’s time to go.  She’s not quite as “on the ball” as the previous manager was, but we’ve been satisfied with the way she takes care of our boys.  We have recommended the hotel to others who have needed dog sitting services.

Unfortunately, even the best dog sitters/pet boarding facilities can have mishaps.  Today’s post is to serve as a reminder of how very important it is to let caregivers know about anything unusual in your pet’s medical history and what should be done if your pet gets sick while being boarded.

One of Bill’s friends left his dog at the hunde hotel for a lengthy stay.  During her stay, the dog somehow developed a skin infection on her back.  The people at the hunde hotel took the dog to a vet for treatment.  The vet gave her an injection of antibiotics.  Unfortunately, the dog had a bad reaction to the antibiotics, went into shock, and died.  It turns out the dog had had reactions to injections before, but the staff at the hunde hotel did not know about that.  They also did not ask.  And they took the dog to the vet for treatment without talking to her owners first.

It may seem like the caregivers were at fault for not talking to the dog’s owners.  Not having seen the severity of the skin infection, I can’t say for sure.  For one thing, the dog’s owners were several time zones away, which can make communication difficult.  For another, skin infections can be dangerous because they can spread rapidly.  I know this firsthand, having had cellulitis three times.  Prompt treatment is usually necessary because infections can get bad fast.

Bill and I have a lot of empathy for his friend because when we went to Scotland in 2012, our dog MacGregor got sick.  He did not die while we were gone, but we were told he should be euthanized (it turned out he had a malignant neural sheath tumor– found when we got home and had an MRI done).  Since the dog was in North Carolina and we were in Scotland, it was pretty difficult to coordinate his care.  I understand firsthand how nerve-wracking it can be when a pet becomes ill while you travel.

If you use a pet boarding facility, please make sure you let the staff know about any allergies or reactions to medications your pet may have.  Chances are good that the issue will never come up, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Zane and Arran approve of this message…
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Best laid plans…

Bill and I had planned to go to Rocktoberfest last night, but we got to Tommi’s about forty minutes too early– they weren’t opening until 8:00.  We did know this, but weren’t sure if that meant they weren’t doing their usual dinner service.  Since we wanted to have dinner, we decided to go somewhere else and maybe kill some time before Tommi’s was ready to receive us.

So we went two doors down to Zum Schiff and had dinner.  We ordered a round of beer and listened to Bruce Springsteen over the sound system, which I thought was pretty cool.  It wasn’t very loud, though, so once a few more people showed up, I couldn’t hear the music anymore.

I didn’t take any pictures because I had the same thing last night that I did the first time we visited.  Bill had something different.  I think it was sauerbraten with red cabbage and a big dumpling.  Both dishes came with salads and bread.

I wasn’t as happy with the bread this time, because instead of butter, they served it with some kind of quark spread.  The one I tried had chives, but tasted a little musty, like bleu cheese.  Bill caught the look on my face and laughed as I carefully removed the bread from my mouth.  I have a hard time with cheese.  It has to be very mild and melted.  Bill tried the spread and liked it.  They had another spread that he said was Italian flavored, with basil, tomato, and other spices.  I didn’t try it, though, because I seriously will gag if I’m not careful with very strongly flavored foods.

Anyway, we were enjoying our meal and several other folks showed up.  We were the only non Germans in the place and Bill remarked that he thought the proprietor must be local because it sounded like she was speaking the local dialect.  I couldn’t help but notice that a lot of the people who came seemed to know her well and she gave most of them warm hugs.  I take that as a good sign.

Another couple came in and sat at a corner table.  No one had turned on the light.  They were there a few minutes before another woman working noticed them and alerted the proprietor, who said “Oh hallo!”  She turned on the light for them and they laughed.

I commented to Bill about how I’ve come to enjoy German food.  Then, realizing how many gasthauses there are here, I said “I guess I’d better like it, huh?”

About halfway through dinner, a guy sitting at the table two down from us held up the wine bottle peppermill that we noticed the last time we visited.  He said in English, “German humor!  It’s a peppermill!”

I remarked that we noticed that the first time we visited.  Pretty soon, we realized that most everyone dining at the same time we were spoke very good English.  The lone exception was the proprietor, who, if she spoke English, did not let on.  I enjoyed the mood in the restaurant, though, because it almost felt like we were mingling among friends, even though I didn’t actually meet anyone.  Everyone was very friendly and convivial and it wasn’t nearly as loud as I was sure Tommi’s was.

Finally, the folks that showed us the wine bottle peppermill got up to leave and the male half said, “Enjoy your holiday!”

I laughed and said, “We live here.  It’s a two year holiday!”

Another round of laughter.  Jettingen is sure a fun town.

It was about 9:30 when we left Zum Schiff, so we decided to go home instead of hanging out at Tommi’s.  I doubt anyone missed us.

These were taken the first time we visited about a month ago.

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Rocktoberfest…

The leaves are turning in Jettingen…  I took the boys for their walk yesterday and we enjoyed perfect weather.

Bill came home with a mas krug of Paulaner, perfect for Reunification Day…

Last night, Bill and I decided to go to Tommi’s Bistro for dinner.  As usual, it was a pretty quiet Friday for them, although today they will be busy.  The waitress was telling us that she’s going to have to be there until the wee hours of tomorrow morning, breaking down after their Rocktoberfest show going on tomorrow night.

Tonight, there will be live music starting at 9:00pm.  There is a fifteen euro cover charge and the event will include most of the same guys who play for their jam session.  Or, at least that’s what our favorite Tommi’s waitress told us.  The music will be 70s and 80s era rock, which I love.

As for last night, we basically had our usual except Bill had a filet instead of the entrecôte.

My filet…

 

Fries… we really should have just ordered one of these.  

Bill’s filet…

Lots of water, wine, and sherry to wash all of this down…  As usual, it was delicious!  We spent about two hours at Tommi’s chatting.  We may go back tonight, because I’m pretty sure the music will be very good.  I wish it started a little earlier than 9:00, though.  We’ll see how we feel as the day wears on.  Bill came down with a bug this week and I’m hoping he doesn’t pass it to me.  If we go tonight and eat, I may try something besides beef.  Don’t want to eat steak two nights in a row.

On Thursday of this week, Tommi’s will have their monthly jam session, which is where a band plays and others are welcome to join them.  I have done it a couple of times and it’s always a blast!  The jam session doesn’t require a cover charge, but tips are appreciated.

I also learned that from October 16th through the 18th, Tommi’s will have pulled pork available.  It will be served with “American” style cole slaw.  I am not a fan of slaw, but I know some like it on their pork.  We may have to try that, too.

Aside from stuff going on at Tommi’s, I have kind of a big week ahead of me.  Monday, I go back to the dentist to get a cleaning and make some impressions for my implant.  I guess we’ll also plan the next part of the process, which will likely be sinus lift surgery.  I am dreading that.

Then on Wednesday, we plan to go to Stuttgart to see Diana Krall.  This was sort of a last minute thing.  A local friend of mine has tickets and is unable to go to the show.  It’s time for him to pack his house and leave Germany after many assignments here.  So we’re going to take the tickets off his hands and check out Diana Krall.  I actually like her music very much.  I especially enjoy singing it.  We should have a good time.

Maybe later today, we’ll do something fun and I can update again.  For now, enjoy the holiday!

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