Yesterday, Bill and I decided to go out to lunch at one of our favorite Wiesbaden area restaurants, Villa im Tal. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve visited this lovely place out in the woods. Every time we’ve gone there, we’ve had a good time, and enjoyed excellent service. Yesterday was no exception.

Our main reason for visiting Villa im Tal was to celebrate Bill’s birthday, which was on July 7th. We didn’t go out on the actual day because he was sick, and it was a work day. He was still sick last weekend, and not up to being around other people. Yesterday, he was feeling about 95 percent recovered from his latest respiratory viral illness, so we put on nice clothes and headed out to the bucolic restaurant where we get recognized by name.

I’m not sure, but I think there might have been some kind of an event going on in the main dining room, so we were seated in the back dining room. It adjoins to Villa im Tal’s lovely terrace, which has a retractable roof and walls. We didn’t want to sit outside, because oddly enough, it was actually kind of chilly yesterday. I brought a wrap with me to ward against the cool breezes that wafted into the dining room.

Below are some photos from yesterday’s delightful lunch. We had aperitifs– a non alcoholic house cocktail for Bill, and a limoncello spritz for me. I usually go for the boozy version of the house cocktail, but I wanted to try something different yesterday. I liked the spritz fine, but I think I prefer the house cocktail. The spritz was a little sweet. We also had the usual bread service with butter and Spundekäs.

I started with tiger shrimp and curry lentils, with cherry tomatoes, frisée, and spiced papada. Now that I’m looking at the menu, I see that they actually brought me the wrong thing. I had wanted a soup that had tiger shrimp in it. But I was definitely not disappointed in the tiger shrimp appetizer. The shrimps, in particular, were absolutely delicious.

Bill had ice cold watermelon with feta cheese, coconut flakes, Persian mint, and toasted flatbread. He really enjoyed that starter, remarking that it would be especially excellent on a very hot day.

Next came my entree of Iberico pork with celery puree and Mediterranean vegetables. Bill went for a vegetarian dish with mother-of-pearl barley risotto, avocado, sun dried tomatoes, curry lemongrass nage, and mangoes. I almost had that myself, as Bill eyed the surf and turf that was being offered. But since I wanted to try the pork, he opted for the vegetarian dish so I could try it.

We had a lovely Austrian pinot noir to go with lunch, and spent a couple of hours just enjoying ourselves, and the beautiful surroundings. The service was perfectly paced, relaxed, but very professional, as usual. And as we were about to order dessert, a pretty woman bearing flowers for the tables came in and smiled. She said, “You’re the Crossens, aren’t you?” Bwaahahahahaha! That doesn’t happen so often in Germany, but they always seem to remember us at Villa im Tal.

For dessert, I had creme brulee with strawberry sorbet. Bill had an Albi-cup, with bourbon vanilla ice cream, pumpkin oil, and pumpkin seeds.

I always enjoy having a leisurely lunch with Bill, especially at a nice restaurant. We’re at a point in our lives when lunches are better than dinners, when we go out. Neither of us really enjoys late nights anymore. Besides, a lot of times, lunches are less expensive. As it was, yesterday’s repast set us back about 240 euros, before the tip.

I forgot to get a picture of the gorgeous building. We’ve gone to Villa im Tal so many times that I guess I’m not so dazzled by it anymore. I did notice that there weren’t a bunch of guys hanging out by the Adamsborn natural spring, yesterday (it’s also known as the Carl-von-Ibell-Quelle). They had been congregating there, trying to sell people containers for the water. But I also noticed that it didn’t look like the spring was running. Upon further investigation, I have discovered that the well is not working right now. Too bad, since the water is known for being very cold and free of charge. On the other hand, it’s nice not to have to dodge the guys who loiter there when it does run.

Anyway, that was our Sunday outing. We came home later and enjoyed the rest of the day listening to music, chatting, and drinking beer. Can’t beat that life, although in retrospect, maybe we should have taken a walk, instead. Maybe we’ll do that next weekend, if it’s not too hot.