We have pretty weather today, so Bill asked me if I wanted to go out. I did want to go out, as I have a bad habit of being reclusive when I should be out enjoying Germany. Unfortunately, Aunt Flow showed up this morning… about a week delayed. I was hoping for a reprieve but– NOPE– no such luck. It always happens on a Saturday, too.
Anyway, I mention Aunt Flow only because we were on our way to Hofheim in my Mini Cooper convertible (which really needs to be driven more), when I realized I had forgotten to arm myself with the necessary feminine hygiene supplies. Fortunately, Hofheim has a very nice Edeka located in a shopping mall that has a nice parking garage with low rates. We parked there, stopped by the store, visited the restrooms (50 cents), then took a stroll through Hofheim, which is one of the nicest towns near where we live.
A few months ago, when we tried and failed to adopt a dog from a German pet rescue, I joined the Wir in Hofheim Facebook group. It was one of many groups I joined in an attempt to try to locate the dog we hoped to adopt who escaped from his pet taxi as he was being unloaded. Unfortunately, the dog met an untimely end on the Autobahn, but I stayed in the groups, anyway. The Wir in Hofheim group is one of my favorites. I regularly follow it, because there’s a lot of helpful information in it and the people are very nice. It was from that group that I got the idea to go to Hofheim.
It’s not that we hadn’t been there before. Bill and I visited the outskirts when we first moved up to the Wiesbaden area and ate in a now defunct Italian place. Bill also visited the town to get take out for us when the COVID-19 restrictions were very strict. Unfortunately, one of the places we discovered in the spring, Blanca Bistro, is now closed. We passed by there today on our way into the old town. I was sad to see it sort of abandoned… there’s still liquor and glassware in there, and signage is still up, but the restaurant stopped serving food a couple of months ago. Several places have had to close due to COVID-19, including the excellent German place near our house. We only ate there one time because it was always packed! But it couldn’t keep going during the pandemic.
We did manage to find lunch, though. We ate at Ristorante L’Opera, an attractive establishment in a little alcove on the main drag. No one else was there when we arrived at about 12:30pm, but we were soon joined by a German couple who enjoyed smoking.
The inside. We ate outside. 
Attractive spiral staircase to the restrooms. No masks required because no one was in the restaurant. 
Nice menu and we can confirm, good food and service.
Bill filled out the contact tracing paperwork and the waiter handed us the laminated menus, obviously much abbreviated compared to normal. There were still a few dishes that were attractive, as well as some specials that were advertised on a sandwich board by the passage. Unfortunately, the uncomfortably narrow chairs, which are the kind often found at gelaterias, reminded me that I probably ought to cut back on my groceries.
Bill fills out the contact tracing form, in case someone tests positive for COVID-19. 
He ordered a Peroni, an Italian beer, which was served in a wine glass. I made him laugh for the picture. 
And would you look at this? Turns out the trip to Edeka wasn’t even necessary! How considerate! Actually, it wasn’t necessary anyway. 
I went with a Margherita Pizza, which I almost never get. Bill had a pulled pork sandwich from the smoker. It came with potato wedges and a savory cabbage slaw. 
We ended with a round of espresso.
I don’t usually get pizza in Germany, mainly because it’s always more than I can finish and I don’t always like the kinds of pizzas that are available. I will say that today’s pizza was excellent. I especially enjoyed the crust, which was absolutely perfect! I’m sure they have a pizza oven to get such perfection. Light, yet chewy with a slightly crisp crust, delicious mozzarella cheese, and a light layer of tomato sauce made that very simple pizza creation a delight! And I even skipped the meat.
Bill enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich, which had a housemade bun. He especially liked the slaw, though. Bill likes cabbage very much. I noticed he cleaned his plate, while I had leftovers, which our attentive server was happy to wrap up for later.
The bill for lunch came to about 41 euros. Bill gave the guy 45, and we took a walk around the town. Hofheim is maybe nine kilometers from where we live, but it’s very charming. We probably ought to visit more often, if only because we like the Edeka better than Rewe.
A place for culture… 
And a youth home. 
Blanca Bistro– so sad to see this closed. I hope someday they can reopen. They had a great menu with fresh, colorful food. I actually felt good after eating there. 
A good Greek place where we got take out. The inside is also very nice. We need to visit for an eat in meal soon. 
Book exchange! 
The main square. 
All around town… 
Lots of houses with interesting and colorful architecture. 
A beautiful church, where I heard organ music playing and church bells ringing incessantly… 
This is the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is Catholic. 
Next to the church… 
I couldn’t get the whole building in one shot. 
Don’t smoke or let your dog play here. 
My mom would like the wool work shop… she used to run a shop much like it at home in Virginia. 
Another main drag photo. A hen party was going on. 
We had to visit the other landmark… 
This is the Evangelisch Kirche Hofheim Wallau… 
It’s for us Protestants… 
Actually, I believe it’s a Lutheran church. I am Presbyterian, myself. 
Just across the street is a psychiatrist’s practice. Bill is checking out the signs, probably for future reference, next time I freak out. Kidding! 
I don’t know why I took this picture. 
It does look very serene, though. I am sure the psych patients feel peaceful there. 
Seen on a hair salon’s building. 
Hofheim is nice!
Anyway… it wasn’t long before we needed to head home and rescue Arran from his loneliness. Although Hofheim isn’t a substitute for some of our favorite little towns in Baden-Württemberg, like Nagold, Esslingen, Ludwigsburg, and Tübingen, it’s not a bad place to spend a couple of hours. There are several nice restaurants there, charming ambiance, places to shop, and enjoy the last days of summer. I’m glad we took the time to go there today… and for any readers who are looking to move to Wiesbaden, this is one town I would recommend seeking a home nearby. It’s a very pleasant little hamlet.
Awesome blog post, Knotty!
Thanks, Alex.