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This weather makes me want to hibernate…

I was in the mood to go out last night, but we didn’t feel like going far.  It was so dark outside and cold.  We ended up at Taverne beim Griechen, the Greek place in a sportsplatz near where we live.  We have another Greek restaurant we could walk to, but when it’s really cold and dark outside, I can’t be bothered to walk.  Besides, we really like the food at Taverne beim Griechen.  I wanted dorade in the worst way.

We were greeted by the Greek lady who always waits on us.  She speaks no English, but our German is slowly improving.  In fact, just this week, I finished Duolingo’s German tree again.  I can still practice all the lessons, since I am far from fluent, but I’m not acquiring new lessons until they add to them.  I suppose I should just sign up for a class, but that would require me to go out and mingle.  As I said, this cold, foggy, dark weather makes me want to hibernate and be antisocial.

Anyway, we had a nice meal last night.  I had the dorade and Bill went with salmon steaks.  I have had the dorade at Taverne beim Griechen before, but I think this might have been the first time either of us ordered salmon at Taverne beim Griechen.

We had a bottle of Greek wine, along with our usual water.  

This fish was delicious!  One thing I love about living in Europe is getting to eat dorade a lot.  I’m sure it’s available in the States somewhere, but I have never eaten it there.  Here in Germany, I get it fairly often.  Taverne Beim Griechen does a good job with it!  They serve it with a garlic sauce that isn’t too potent.

Bill’s salmon steaks.  He said these were good.  The skin was pleasantly charred and the flesh was not too dry.  

 

Service and food, as usual, were great!  It was nice to go back after the new year.  I noticed a lot of people were enjoying a Friday night dinner there along with us.  Someone brought what looked like an adorable bichon frise with them.  I wish our dogs were well behaved enough to go into restaurants!

The weather is rather schlecht looking this morning.  Maybe later, we’ll venture out, though.  In a few days, I will be having dental implant surgery and a sinus lift, so I may not be up to any restaurant visits next weekend.

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Lavazza in Ludwigsburg!

Bill and I decided to go to Ludwigsburg today and stop by Heinrich’s to drop off some old beer bottles and pick up some new suds.  Because we left our house at noon, we got to town at about 1:00, which is kind of close to the “witching hour” of two.  That’s when some places quit serving lunch.

We’ve been to Ludwigsburg enough times to know where we can get a bite to eat all day, but I’m always looking for new places to try.  Since it’s been awhile since my last local restaurant review, we decided to look a little harder than usual.  Today, we left the main square, which we hadn’t done in a long time.  I think we went that way some time ago and didn’t think there were any restaurants around there.  We were wrong.

I noticed the inviting smells of seafood and a sign that said “Mediterranean Grill”.  We turned the corner and ran into Lavazza, a Greek cafe/coffee bar/restaurant.  They were doing a pretty good business when we came in and sat down at a large table in their small dining room.  A friendly lady gave us a couple of menus and I found myself tempted by a number of different options.  They had some enticing specials available, everything from mussels made with wine sauce to chicken breast with oven baked potatoes.  They also had a nice looking regular menu with many different and appetizing dishes to choose from.

Obligatory shot of Bill, looking happy to be about to eat lunch on the town.

 

I was really happy that we found a Greek restaurant.  It’s been too long since my last hit of t’zatziki.  Though I was definitely tempted by the fish, I ended up ordering plain old gyros.  The waitress, who spoke excellent English as well as Greek and German, asked if I wanted regular gyros or their gyros salad.  Not being an especially healthy eater, I went with the regular ones…

These were delicious.  The pork was very fresh, well seasoned, and flavorful.  I liked the way they did their t’zatziki, too.  And the pommes, while pommes, were thick and hot.  I paired this with a glass of Chilean sauvignon blanc because at first, I thought I was having fish.  Next time, I will have fish for sure!

 

Bill had one of the specials.  It was grilled pieces of chicken breast and olives served with baked potato wedges.  He had a glass of very nice St. George wine from Greece.  It was dry and tasted a bit like sour cherries.  Perfect wine for a nasty rainy day like today.  

I really enjoyed the atmosphere in Lavazza.  Though it was a little crowded in the small dining room, their bar area was a little more conducive to smaller parties.  There were pub tables in there.  I noticed they were playing sexy Spanish music on the sound system.  I even had to Shazam one or two songs because I liked them so much.  I also noticed the awesome looking cakes on display.  Had I not been so full after failing to finish my lunch, I might have tried one.  They offer breakfast, too.

The outside.  There’s an umbrella set up out front for those who want to smoke.  

Service at Lavazza was very friendly and competent.  I told Bill I hoped we could go back and have dinner there sometime.  They had some dishes that looked very interesting and were priced accordingly.  The bill for today’s lunch was 38,90 before tip.  It included a house shot of ouzo.

We parked near the train station.  On the way there, I noticed the ebikestation.  You can book one and ride all over town to your heart’s content.

And they have instructions in English, too.

Random graffiti shot.

 

After lunch, we went to Heinrich’s, bought some beer, and proceeded to annoy a bunch of Germans because I picked an item that wouldn’t scan.  We ended up having to leave without it because there was no way to pay for it.

Then, we visited some friends on Kelley and enjoyed a little gathering…  It’s been awhile since I last socialized.  I may need to make more of a habit of getting out and about.

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All Saints Day Sunday at Alte Post in Nagold…

Last year, All Saints Day fell on a Saturday.  This year, it was on a Sunday.  I think that made a difference in our expectations of having stuff to do.  As it was, I stayed in my nightgown for most of the day and did laundry.  Bill did schoolwork and walked the dogs, running into the local horse folks.   The dogs, of course, freaked out.  I bet none of the local horsey people would believe me if I told them that I spent most of my childhood in a barn and used to compete in horse shows.  But it’s been years…  I’m sure I could ride if I wanted to, but I would pay for it.  So would the horse, for that matter.

We did decide to go out to dinner, though, and tonight we chose to dine at a restaurant in Nagold that has been piquing our interest for awhile now.  The Alte Post Hotel is a centerpiece of Nagold.  It’s situated right on the main square and is a sight to behold.   We live a mere five kilometers or so from Nagold, though you’d never know it from the way the landscape so dramatically changes.  Jettingen goes from open fields and flat horizons to deep valleys and hills in Nagold.  It’s hard to believe they are so close together.  Since we live so close, there’s no need to try the hotel… however, the restaurant is a different matter altogether.

There is a much fancier sign closer to the entrance, but since it was dark outside, I photographed the one that was lit…

We were welcomed into the intimate dining area to the left of the entrance.  It wasn’t until we were leaving that I noticed there’s a smaller and more intimate dining area to the right, too.  It was no matter to us, though, since there was only one other couple there when we arrived.  We sat at a table in the corner of the dining room…

Since we both wanted fish, Bill chose a nice local white wine for us… made right here in the Stuttgart area.  We also had our usual water with gas.

 

I entertained myself by speaking very rudimentary German to our excellent waitress.  There were actually two of them helping us.  One spoke excellent English.  The other, I’m not sure, since we managed to converse in German.  All these evenings out in nice restaurants have helped me with my language skills somewhat.

I don’t always have a starter, but I was intrigued by the spinach soup, which was served with strips of house prepared salmon.  Bill had a salad.

As we waited for our first courses, group of three came in with two dogs, one tiny chihuahua and a much larger hound who looked kind of like a cross between a lab and a viszla. I was amazed by how cute they were and how well they behaved.  The larger dog curled up on a blanket and went to sleep while her owners enjoyed dinner.  Wish mine were that well behaved.

Bill’s salad was supposed to be small, but was somewhat substantial.  It was very colorful and had a nice, tangy vinaigrette.  He liked it, but had to stop before getting too full.  The bread was very fresh and delicious.

My spinach soup.  This was very delicately flavored… spinach with some cream and salmon strips that didn’t taste like they were smoked.  I enjoyed the soup, though I think I might have liked some salt with it.  There was neither salt nor pepper on the table.  Perhaps it’s just as well.  Salt would have covered up the subtle nuances of this soup’s flavors.

 

Since we had a big meat day yesterday, Bill and I each had fish for dinner.  He had the lachsforelle and I had a zander filet.  We had the same sides, too, rosemary potatoes and spinach.   We each had a choice of two sides and happened to pick the same ones.  The potatoes were hearty, flavorful, and delightful and they were not overpowered by the rosemary.  The spinach was perfectly done; not mushy or overcooked.   I think if I had known yesterday that we’d be eating at Alte Post, I might have picked something other than spinach!

My zander filet is in the foreground.  It was very satisfying with its firm white flesh.  I tried Bill’s lachsforelle and it was also nice, though I preferred the zander.  By this point, a couple was seated next to us and I noticed them noticing me taking a photo.  That’s why I only took one photo.  They seemed to think we were kooky Americans.

 

I also accidentally poured fizzy water into my wine glass just as Bill was about to recharge our glasses.  The waitress seemed to take slight mock offense as she shooed him good naturedly back to his seat.  I am happy to report that service is very professional at Alte Post.  They take it seriously, even if they are getting slightly weeded by a large influx of people.  A bunch of ladies showed up and the had obviously made reservations, since there was a big table made up for them, complete with three glasses per place setting.  The restaurant had been almost empty when we arrived and by the time we were finishing dinner, was full.

Though I was well satisfied after the main course, we decided to have dessert.  Alte Post’s restaurant has a number of enticing choices.  They have creme brulee, strawberries with cream, and several house made ice creams.

I went with the Schwarzwalder… This was vanilla ice cream with cherry sauce, cherries, and a sprinkling of chocolate powder.  A little more chocolate would have made me happy, though this was a really nice ending.  It wasn’t too big, either.

 

Bill’s dessert was basically vanilla ice cream covered with a shot of hot espresso.  It was fantastic.

We noticed the people sitting around us enjoying what looked like fabulous steaks with frites.  Again… the prices out here in the country are less than what we’d pay in Stuttgart, yet the food and service is just as good and, in many cases, even superior.  Tonight’s bill came to 106 euros, which is significantly less than what we spent at [M]eatery yesterday.  The service was also more personal and, I think, even more professional.  We didn’t notice our server taking a break at the bar, for instance.

Anyway, if you’ve been reading this blog, you already know I’m a fan of Nagold’s adorable charm.  On Sundays and holidays, you can park for free.  And for us, it’s less than a ten minute drive.  Yes, we’ll go back to Stuttgart for dinner, but with the choices we have in Nagold and even Tuebingen, it’s hard to imagine why…

Of course I recommend Alte Post.  It’s a great place for a date night.  And for those who have kids, I believe I spotted a kinder menu.

For more on the Alte Post, check out this article…  it’s in German, but there’s always Google Chrome for translations.

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Lunch at [M]eatery… and a run in with PETA…

Bill and I are always on the lookout for good places to eat.  We had heard a lot about [M]eatery in Stuttgart and noticed that it’s located very close to where we go to the dentist.  I told Bill we should visit over the weekend.  He told me that he’d heard that PETA was going to be protesting on Saturday.  Not knowing what kind of presence PETA has in Germany, he said maybe we should try to visit on Friday instead of Saturday.  But then it turned out [M]eatery was booked solid both Friday and Saturday nights.  So we decided to go there for lunch today and brave the PETA protest.  I grew up sorta near Norfolk, VA, which is where PETA is based, so I got a bit of a kick out of the prospect of seeing a protest here in Germany.  We heard it was only going to be about 20 people anyway.

On the way to Stuttgart, we ran into a slight traffic problem.  B28 is completely shut down for roadwork.  Consequently, a whole lot of people were trying to get to the autobahn through one two lane road via the city of Herrenberg.  It was very backed up, kind of like my colon after a Schlactfest.

On the way through backed up Herrenberg.  Two different guys on motorcycles cut in front of us.  Bill looked exasperated after the second one went and the guy casually scratched his head… but we noticed his middle finger extended.  I say, if you’re going to be ballsy enough to flip someone off, especially in a country where that’s illegal and everyone has a camera, at least do it openly.  None of this pansy ass subtle shit…

The traffic was very annoying, but didn’t delay us too much.  We got to the parking garage a few minutes after 2:00.  Our reservation was at 2:00.  The garage was packed, but we managed to find a spot anyway.

Outside at [M]eatery…

A server seated us at a comfortable two top with a nice view of the open kitchen.  We perused the very [literally] large menu.  Bill ordered wine and water.

The menu is literally big, as in it takes some coordination to hold it in your hands.  But it doesn’t have a huge variety to choose from, unless you want meat.  There are plenty of cuts of beef from places around the world with some nice sides, sauces, butters, and oils.  They also have burgers, salads, and fish dishes.  I wonder how many people ordered the Porterhouse.  It runs for about 89 euros!  
 
Though we didn’t necessarily need a menu in English, the waitress kindly gave us one.  I noticed that the weights on the beef were in ounces instead of grams, as they are on the German version.  They surely get a lot of Americans visiting them.  [M]eatery also has locations in Hamburg and Dresden.

Waiting for our first courses.  You can see the kitchen over Bill’s shoulders.  The chef was appropriately pierced, though not as much as the chef at Tommi’s.   The waitress brought out some hearty brown bread and butter.

Bill started with the “Beef Tea”, which sounds kind of gross.  Basically, it’s a soup that tastes like it’s made from the drippings of a roast beef.  He loved it.  I thought it wasn’t too shabby, either.

 

I had lobster chowder, which was rich and tasty and finished with watercress.  I didn’t eat the whole thing because I wanted to have room for my steak.  The chowder was basically good, though the potatoes were just a tiny hair underdone.  

Bill opted for a sirloin with a side of fries… The fries were a little greasy, which is kind of the way I like them.  They had a rich potato flavor, though… like they came from Idaho or something.  

 

I had the 10.6 ounce rib eye with a side each of herbed mashed potatoes and spinach.  I enjoyed my steak, though I wasn’t able to finish it or the sides.  It was the smallest rib eye they offered and cost 34 euros…  the funny thing is, I can get a similarly sized rib eye at Tommi’s in my town for about 14 euros and change.  It tastes about the same and costs less than half as much as this did.  However, I really liked the sides at [M]eatery.  The spinach was done perfectly and wasn’t too mushy and the mashed potatoes were surprisingly flavorful and comforting.  Tommi’s doesn’t offer the same sides– I usually end up with frites there, which is fine, but given a choice, I probably would choose mashed potatoes to go with a steak.  Sides at [M]eatery are four euros each.

Halfway through lunch, our waitress changed clothes and took a break.  We were then looked after by a very professional male waiter who lit up when I asked him for brandy.  He wrapped up my leftovers into a basket.  I should have taught him how to make a swan.  😉

Bill had a double espresso.

I had a heavenly snifter of Hennessy XO, which runs 25 euros a pour.  That was the midrange cognac on offer.  The cheapest was nine euros and the most expensive was 49 euros.  All three were Hennessy.  I gotta say, the XO is very nice.

 

We finished up at about 4:00.  Our original waitress had changed back into her working clothes and presented us with the check.  Our bill before tip was about 165 euros, which was slightly less than what we were expecting.  Bill was able to pay with a credit card.  After we settled our check, we headed to where the PETA protest was.  I was expecting to see a bunch of picket signs and the like.  I must say, PETA surprised me by being clever…

Look in the distance and you can see a table set up with made up young people…  They were dressed like zombies!

 

I didn’t want to get too close, though one of the zombies did hand me some literature…  Sorry these are not great pictures, but again, the protest was not very big.  Look toward the back right for black signs with purple lettering.  Some of the “zombies” were really taking their roles seriously.  Not only were they dressed the part and in full makeup, but they were even walking like something out of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.

 

I walked away with the leaflet, along with my meaty leftovers from [M]eatery…  The “protest” was very low key and kind of funny.  I liked that they took advantage of Halloween to make a statement, even though I’m not a vegetarian at all…  Frankly, I kind of admire people who don’t eat meat.  Wish I wanted to do it.

The PETA literature… not nearly as offensive as a Jack Chick tract!

And next weekend, it appears that Stuttgart is going to have a big shopping event.  Since Herrenberg will likely still be STAU-ified, I doubt we’ll take advantage…  Beyond this sign, a young man was playing new age piano versions of ABBA songs.  I must say I enjoy visiting Stuttgart.  Should have done it more when we were here from 07-09.

One last Stuttgart city view…

I don’t know why, but we completely forgot about Halloween on the military installations.  We decided to stop by Patch on the way home for a pit stop and to pick up a few items from the commissary.  We were confronted by a huge line of cars and people waiting to go trick or treating.  I must admit, we saw some truly great costumes.  Bill saw one kid dressed as a Dalek, which is a character from Dr. Who, and he said the kid must be a real “geek”… but he meant that in the nicest possible way.  Bill is a geek himself and he is a big fan of Dr. Who.

Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch at [M]eatery, although to be very honest, I didn’t think the steaks were better than what we have had at Tommi’s Bistro here in Unterjettingen.  Tommi’s is also a hell of a lot less expensive, offers live music, and we can walk there from our house.  I don’t know if or when we’ll be back to [M]eatery, though I would certainly recommend it to meat lovers who are in Stuttgart.

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Practicing German with “The Mad Scientist”…

Last night, Bill and I decided to drive down to Entringen and have dinner at Agais.  If you read this blog regularly, you may know that we used to go to Agais all the time when we lived in Germany the first time.  It was located a few kilometers from our home.  Now that we live in Unterjettingen, it’s not that close.  We still like to go down there, though, and visit “The Mad Scientist”…  He was having a pretty good night last night.  There were two guys in his dining room when we arrived, then another guy and another couple showed up.  We were warmly greeted  by name when we came in and sat down.

I had salmon and Bill had lamb.  It was not my first time having the salmon, but it was Bill’s first time eating lamb at Agais.  He said it was very good.  My salmon was decent, too, and probably healthier than gyros would have been.

Bill’s lamb.  He had a side salad with this.  His salad was smaller than the one that came with my dish.

Salmon with a little olive oil…

Obligatory shot of Bill…

I love the cool phonograph…

While we were sitting there, I asked The Mad Scientist about a sign he had on his wall.  Several years ago, he would have answered me in flawless English.  He told us that he lived in Canada for years and worked as an engineer.  Unfortunately, in the five years since we first lived here, he got sick.  I don’t actually know what was wrong with him, but I’m guessing that he may have had a mild stroke.  He doesn’t move as fast as he used to and I think his English skills have vastly deteriorated.  It’s like he understands English, but can’t really speak it anymore.  So he speaks mostly German to us now.  Fortunately, I understand much of what he says and sometimes I can even answer him.

Anyway, the couple sitting near us were locals who spoke great English.  They translated some of what our old friend said about the sign on the wall.  He had gotten it for preparing food with a certain type of olive oil.

We explained to the other couple that we used to live in the area and, back then, visited all the time.  Then we went back to the States and I missed The Mad Scientist and decent Greek food in general.  So now that we’re back in Germany, even though we live in Unterjettingen, we still come down to see him.  The female half of the German couple said that she likes his food because it doesn’t give her indigestion like other Greek restaurants do.  I thought that was a pretty funny comment.

I think The Mad Scientist had a good night last night, with three tables ordering dinner and Bill and I not ordering our usual gyros.  I even had an extra glass of wine.  I actually wanted retsina, but he either didn’t hear me or didn’t understand.  It’s sad that his health has been declining, but I am glad to see he is still willing and able to run his restaurant.  We always have a good time when we see him.

Today, we have plans to have lunch in Stuttgart.  Stay tuned!

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Dinner at Mauerwerk in Herrenberg…

After two weekends of being cooped up at home, I was more than ready to go out tonight.  Originally, we thought we might go to Tuebingen and try a couple of places we’d visited last time we lived here.  But then, Bill remembered that there was a cool looking restaurant in Herrenberg that didn’t exist when we were here last.  Also, even though we live close to Herrenberg again, we hadn’t gone out to eat there in ages.  So we headed for Mauerwerk, a restaurant on the main drag through Herrenberg, at about 6:00 or so.  It was probably a good thing we went when we did, since we didn’t have reservations.  We happened to score free parking in a lot for the Volksbank.

Outside of the restaurant.  For once I thought to take photos before it got too dark.

Mauerwerk is a cultural center housed in a building that used to be a church  It’s now a very cool, contemporary restaurant that adjoins a stage/theater.  I gathered from looking at the posters near the restrooms that they have live music and other shows there sometimes.  There’s also a small bar area near the stage.  We didn’t really explore the area where the musicians play, though.  Our minds were on the food.

A very pleasant waitress greeted us and invited us to a two top table with an excellent view of the bar.  She spoke German to us, but the bartender overheard me speaking English.  We were offered English menus at that point, but told them it was okay… we generally understand menus in German.  I just can’t speak German worth a damn.  My comprehension is getting better though, especially when it comes to reading.

After a few minutes, we were ready to order.  We had a bottle of sparkling water, some very nice red wine from the Languedoc region of southern France, a couple of starters, and our main courses.  I knew I’d need to pace myself.

Very nice French wine… 

This amuse reminded me a bit of a donut without sugar.  It was served with a rosemary cream spread.  I liked it.  It wasn’t too strong.  And I am also a sucker for fried food.

Bill thinks about what he wants…

 

I had a curry soup with shrimp.  Bill had smoked salmon with seaweed salad and an wasabi type sauce.  The soup was very good and had a little zing to it, though I only ate about half.  Didn’t want to get too full for the main courses.  Bill loved his smoked salmon, though the portion was pretty huge.  Actually, I think the soup and salmon would make a very nice lunch.

 

The food choices at Mauerwerk are rather eclectic.  They offered “tapas” as an appetizer, though they were not really Spanish.  Several choices were Thai inspired, though a few were German.  Bill’s entree seemed to be influenced by Mexico.  Above, you can see the beautifully presented salmon filet I ordered.  It came with potatoes and onions and was artistically presented.  The salmon was beautifully cooked and flavorful.  I appreciated that it wasn’t too well done.

Bill’s tasty burger.  It came with fingerling potatoes and a side of what seemed to be salsa.  The burger had guacamole, bacon, salsa, and a rather strong cheese.  Bill liked it, though the cheese might have been too much for a cheese wimp like me.

Though we were full, we decided to have dessert anyway.  Bill had a mango inspired bread pudding.  I liked this because it wasn’t sweet at all, save for the side of housemade vanilla ice cream… The portion was large, though.

I had chocolate mousse.  One ball was chocolate, another was white chocolate, and it came with a lovely array of berries… blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and currants…

 

By the time we were finished eating, the restaurant was pretty full.  People were turning away because there weren’t enough big tables.  I think if you want to come on a weekend, it makes sense to get a reservation.  The food is well prepared and the portions are very generous.  I thought the prices were fair, too.  Our bill was about 90 euros and we tipped the waitress generously because she did a good job.  I noticed she spoke English, but didn’t much to us.  I think she was afraid of making a mistake, though my German is enough to make anyone cry…  I’m pretty sure credit cards are accepted, though we paid in cash.

I was impressed by the scotches being offered.  I also spotted a bottle of 15 year old El Dorado rum from Guyana (probably my favorite rum) and locally made Monkey gin. On Sundays and holidays, Mauerwerk offers a breakfast.

I would say Mauerwerk is best suited for adults who like beautifully presented contemporary cuisine. I didn’t see any kids at the restaurant and am not sure how well they are catered to; I didn’t think to look, either, since I don’t have any kids.  Again, I would recommend making reservations if you plan to go on a Friday or Saturday night.  It looks like things regularly get busy there.  Reservations can be made by phone or email.

We had a great time and I am sure we’ll be back.  Mauerwerk has a lot of ambiance and character going for it besides offering good food and service.  If you’re in Herrenberg and looking for a nice place for a meal, I think Mauerwerk is a good bet.

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Another afternoon in Stuttgart…

Today, Bill and I took advantage of the holiday and went to Stuttgart to get my dental impressions done for my implant.  The lady who helped Dr. Blair pull my baby tooth was there to do the job.  I think she recognized me from three weeks ago, when I had my crying jag, because she asked me if I was nervous.  I said I wasn’t nervous, but I was pretty hungry.  I was grateful she took us early, since I was about to starve.  I neglected to eat lunch before we set out on our journey.  After four minutes with my teeth stuck in dental putty, we were all finished.  Seems to me when I had full mouth impressions in the 80s, the dentist used nasty Plaster of Paris.  Now they use this gummy stuff, today colored hot pink, which is only marginally less nasty.  At least it doesn’t take long to have impressions done.

After my very quick appointment, during which my dental implant surgery was scheduled and Valium ordered, we had a late lunch and did some shopping.  First, we stopped by Ridmueller, a beer store recommended by the Stuttgart Beer Club.  It’s not a big store yet, but there are some interesting selections available there, including Icelandic beers.  We picked up a selection of stuff we haven’t seen elsewhere, then rounded the corner and looked for lunch.

One of the four beer fridges.  It’s not a big store yet, but the selection is interesting.  With a little love and support, Ridmueller could turn into something special.

 

I was famished and my blood sugar was dropping fast, so we ended up at Weber, a nice sit down restaurant that seems to offer a little something for everyone, yet seems to specialize in Thai food.

Bill enjoys a brief break…  Plenty of comfortable seating at Weber and a great menu.  We sipped some wine and tasted the bread, which had an essence of honey.

I started with this delicious bowl of green peanut curry soup garnished with lemongrass.  It was a bit rich, but I was so hungry I found it instantly restorative.  This soup is creamy with a hearty peanut flavor and plenty of spicy zing.  I was sorry we didn’t order mineral water, but my red wine soothed the burn until I got used to it.  I would definitely get this soup again; it was really good.  I bet it would be especially good for someone who needs their sinuses cleared.

I followed the soup with coconut shrimp.  This was cooked in a wok with rice noodles and a tasty assortment of vegetables including carrots, eggplant, spinach, peppercorns, peppers, zucchini, sprouts and what I think may have been plantains.  The whole thing was drenched with lime coconut sauce.  I liked this, but…

I liked Bill’s choice better.  He had the Monkey-Nut-Chili-Chicken Pasta.  It was basically rice noodles with tender strips of chicken, the same array of vegetables that was in my dish, plus a delicious, hearty peanut sauce.  Bill’s dish needed no seasoning, while mine needed a dash of salt because it was a little bland.

 

I wasn’t able to finish my lunch, owing to the yummy soup I ate first.  I brought about half of my shrimp and rice noodles home with me.  Lunch tomorrow should be delightful!

Weber is located in Stuttgart Mitte, again very close to Dr. Blair’s dentist office.  For those who don’t like Thai style food, there were also a few local selections, as well as several daily specials.  I almost went for the dorade special, but I can get dorade most anywhere.  Ditto for the tempting salmon filet served with lime coconut sauce, basmati rice, and sugar snap peas…  Maybe next time.  They also had Argentinian roast beef that looked good. 

 

After lunch, we went on a brief shopping spree at the Markthalle.  Though we were there last week, this time, we were prepared to shop.  And shop we did…

I got a kick out of this six euro bag of Old El Paso tortillas in the Asian market.

 

Bill checks out Spanish cheeses.  He bought some, as well as slivers of Serrano and Iberian hams and Spanish Sauvignon Blanc…

The Spanish market got lots of our euros today.  In the background, you can see the Balkan market, where we picked up some Croatian and Montenegrin wines, as well as a little bottle of Unicum.

I got some truffles… I love that most of them are full of alcohol.

We also picked up some Parmesan and Gruyere cheeses.  I wish I liked cheese more than I do, since Bill ends up eating most of what we buy.  Still, it was a lot of fun to shop at the Markthalle in Stuttgart.  I think a person could seriously lose control in that place and go a little hog wild.  Next time, I want to bring some lined bags and get some really good beef and fish.

The musician who was playing rapid fire Beethoven on an electric keyboard last week was back today.  This time, I didn’t catch the title of the music he was playing on his keyboard.  I think he had a handler, though.  Bet he sells CDs.

Our next trip to Stuttgart will probably be December 1.  That is when I will have dental surgery.  I doubt I’ll be in the mood to shop afterwards.  I may want to drink, though.

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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.

Standard
Baden-Württemberg

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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