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Pause…

I swear, I could eat Greek food every day.  I got hungry a couple of hours ago and we didn’t feel like cooking, so we walked to Taverne Bei Dimi.  We got there at just after 1:00.  They have a “pause” in service from 2:00-4:00, so we had gyros and beer, then got out of there.  The very sweet lady who usually takes care of us made sure to tell me they had a new Web site, which I linked above.  I had been linking to their Facebook page, which is also very useful.

There are a few other restaurants near us that I want to try, including a couple that are Michelin rated. But honestly, nothing beats a neighborhood restaurant you can walk to for a quick lunch.  The folks at Taverne Bei Dimi know us and welcome us like family.  I even sang a couple of bars for them!

Bill is starting another course that he has to do work for this week, so we decided not to do anything special today.  I was really in the mood to go to the Mineraltherme, though.  I probably should have gone last week, while he was in Africa.  I could have tried out the naked sauna area.

It’s hot today.  We had to break out the air conditioner again.  Will be so glad when fall comes with a vengeance.

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A summer dinner at Pizzeria da Piero in Jettingen…

Last night for dinner, Bill and I decided to walk to Pizzeria da Piero in Jettingen.  We had only eaten at this restaurant one time prior to last night, but because it’s so close to where we live, we have gotten take out from there many times.  In retrospect, we might have been more comfortable getting take out last night, but I really felt like going out.  We took the twenty minute walk uphill in the heat and arrived in the thick of dinner service.

Though the restaurant has a nice biergarten with a shade, we ate inside by the bar.  Oddly enough, right next to the bar is an area for kids to play in with toys and everything.  A couple of girls were taking advantage of the chance to play while their parents sat in the dining room on the other side of the restaurant.

A lucky obligatory shot of Bill…

Because it was really hot last night, despite a brief afternoon rainstorm, I told Bill we should have some white wine.  He ordered a pinot grigio and, after ten minutes or so, a waitress came by with an electric wine opener, a bottle of pinot grigio, and the handy wine chiller pictured below.  I was impressed enough by the electric wine opener.  That would have come in handy when I was a server and struggled with opening bottles at the table.  Of course, I am a pro at wine opening now.

No, the white part is not ice.  It’s made of plastic and can be chilled.  It’s a lot less messy than a wine bucket.

 

Since we were having white wine and I wasn’t in the mood for pasta, I decided to order shrimp.  I considered a zander filet or salmon, but ultimately I made the right choice…

Five big shrimps!

And a salad with a light vinaigrette.

Bill had the zander filet.  Though it was really good, the vegetables that came with it were loaded with mushrooms, which as you may know, are of the devil as far as I’m concerned…

The bread tasted homemade and was delicious.

The hardworking servers at Pizzeria da Piero were very busy last night, so our meal was a bit leisurely.  We had good conversation.  Then, an older couple tried to sit in the booth behind us and opted to move, potentially because I might have said the f word too loud…  or maybe I’m just paranoid.  Anyway, it was no skin off our backs…

Empty bottle…

 

I considered ordering dessert, but decided I’d rather have a beer.  It was just sultry and nasty last night…

This went down easy as we paid our 59 euro check…

Nice biergarten.  We really should have sat out there last night.  I’ll be so glad when the summer temperatures mellow out a bit.

  
I like this restaurant well enough, especially when it’s not really hot outside.  I noticed they had ceiling fans in there, but for some reason, they weren’t using them last night.  I wasn’t as hot and uncomfortable as I have been in other restaurants during the summer here.  The wine helped.  Pizzeria da Piero does a very brisk take out service and lots of people were picking up food last night.

Somehow, in the course of the evening, I also lost an earring that I bought in Greece.  Guess that’s a good reason to plan a trip back there.  For now, I’m looking at Switzerland.  Bill has a hankering to see a certain weird museum in Gruyeres.

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Bill’s birthday…

Yesterday, my husband Bill turned 51.  We decided to go to Taverne Bei Dimi, the local Greek joint , for dinner.  The sweet lady who is usually there was absent last night.  Her brother, the chef, told us she went to Greece.  I hope she’s enjoying herself, despite all the upheaval going on right now.  Despite her absence, we had a good time.  Though there were several people in the smoking area watching TV and gambling, we were the only ones in the dining room.  Bill got a kick out of one lady’s t-shirt.  It said “Math sucks”.  I agree.

Local hefeweizen.  One of these days, we’ll have to visit the brewery, which is near where we live.  Baisinger’s Teufel (devil) Weisse is pretty decent.

 

We didn’t get too fancy last night.  I decided to have gyros and Bill had souflaki.  Both came with the cabbage salad featured below.  I actually ate the tomato, which I don’t usually do because they usually disappoint me.  Last night’s tomato was quite good!

A windy night in Germany…

My gyros… The fries usually come with cheese.  I was glad when the chef asked if I wanted cheese last night because I’m not a big fan of it.  Bill loves it, though.  These gyros were very good.  So were the pommes.

And so was the souflaki.  

There’s no shortage of decent Greek food in our area.  I can’t believe it took so long for me to discover how good it is…  especially tz’atziki.  We enjoyed a pre and post meal shot of ouzo, too.

I guess this isn’t a bad way to celebrate 51 years…

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Oops, I did it again…

Yesterday, I decided to get crazy and invite a new friend and her husband to my little town of Unterjettingen.  It was Thursday night and I had a feeling Tommi’s Bistro would be having a jam session.  Also, for several reasons, we were both in need of a really good steak and Tommi’s has some of the best I’ve ever had in Germany.

Bill made reservations for 7:00, but had to work late.  My friend Becky and her husband Richard met me at my house, where they parked.  We walked to the restaurant after I calmed Zane and Arran down; they weren’t too happy about not getting to meet our guests, but I wanted to make sure we got a decent table.  I needn’t have worried, since it turned out Bill got to the restaurant before we did, still dressed in his suit.

We all sat down and enjoyed delicious steaks and frites… well, except for my friend’s husband, who had a salad instead.  The musicians were a little late getting the show started.  They were supposed to begin at 8:15, but the music didn’t get going until 9:00.  The first song was a super long rendition of “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus (Chaka Khan sings, of course).

This is Rufus, but the guys last night did a great job covering this song… and a lady got up to sing with them.

 

I was thinking maybe last night I’d stay in my seat, since we had company.  And it was getting late and both my husband and my friend’s husband had to get up for work today…  But then my new friend Gunter the harmonica player showed up… and he made a beeline for our table…

The guy with the ripped jeans was very good… reminded me a little of George Michael in looks, but certainly not in musical style…  He had an impressive bluesy thing going on.

I had to get a couple of photos because he was just awesome… Gunter is the guy in the hat with the plaid shirt.  I think he should be an agent.  But he also plays a MEAN harmonica on several very classic rock songs.

The keyboard player is also fantastic… he was regaling us with dramatic flourishes and improvisations.  In fact, I think I was most impressed by his skills.  He plays like someone whose livelihood depends on how well he plays.

 

The girl on stage also played the last time we visited Tommi’s.  She goes to a music school and plays an impressive cover of “Dust In The Wind”.  Last night, she played “Heart of Gold” and another song I can’t remember right now.  

So… I got up to visit the loo and the guitar player and Gunter stopped me and asked if I’d sing “Little Wing” with the band again.  Now, I still don’t know the words to that song very well, even though I’ve practiced it a few times.  It’s not a very long song and the words aren’t that complicated.  I just never had the chance to learn them.  But anyway, I was game because they were actually encouraging me to make up lyrics like I did last time.  Anyone who knows me loves I enjoy acting a fool in public.  Gunter even said, “It was so charming the way you did it last time…  And be sure to shake your hips again.”  No one has EVER said that to me.  Not even Bill!

I warned them that we had to go soon because Bill was about to turn into a pumpkin.  They said fine… so before I knew it, I was on stage with them doing my own very odd version of “Little Wing”…

Jimi Hendrix does “Little Wing”…

I brought my phone on stage to remind me of the right words… did the first run through properly, then let ‘er rip with some truly silly improvisations.  It was such a blast!  Bill says I kind of come alive on a stage.  I wouldn’t know because I make a point of not watching videos of myself.  But I have to admit, I get a huge rush from a live performance, especially with a band.

We had a great time!  What a joy it is to live in a town that not only has fantastic steaks, but also offers me a chance to be obnoxious in front of other people… and score applause for it to boot!  So glad Becky and Richard joined us for musical fun…  I hope I can entice a few other folks to come out to Unterjettingen for meat and music.  And if you sing or play yourself, you might want to visit on a Thursday night.  That’s when they usually do their “jam sessions”.

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A new Greek restaurant in our neighborhood…

Last week, as we were telling our landlords about our wet basement, the conversation turned to food. They asked if we’d tried the new Greek restaurant in our neighborhood.  We hadn’t, though Bill had seen signs for it.  I wanted to go out last night, so we decided to walk to this new place.  To be totally honest, I’m not even really sure of the name of the restaurant… and when I left there last night, I was feeling no pain.  I did take a picture of the sign out front, though, as we were leaving.

Bei Dino?  ETA:  Bill says the restaurant is called Taverne bei Dimi…

As we approached this place, the chef was standing outside.  He followed us into the restaurant and a lady sitting in what appears to be their smoking lounge got up to greet us.  The smoking lounge is walled off with glass and has a TV and several electronic gambling machines.  A few folks were in there drinking, smoking, and gambling.

The lady who waited on us beamed when we told her we were Americans who live in the neighborhood.  She spoke very broken English, but I got the sense that Americans don’t visit their restaurant very often.  She told us she had spent a long time in Germany, then moved back home to northern Greece for a few years.  She also told us that she and her brother had moved back to Germany from Greece so she could send money to her daughter, who is studying at a university back home.  Evidently, the economy is not so good in Greece.  Yes, I’d heard about that… but she made it sound like she and her family were very personally affected.  I got a kick out of her comment that America is too dangerous.  I’m sure people who watch the news but have never been to the States could easily get that impression.

Bill checks out the menu…

They had some interesting art on the walls…  I kind of like this painting.

Smoking lounge…

I decided on the dorade, which they offer on Friday and Saturday nights.  Bill had lamb cutlets.  Our very kind waitress brought out a house shot of ouzo for us as we sipped dry red wine.  As we waited for our food, I looked around the restaurant, which is kind of plainly decorated.  A few more people came in for dinner.

The salad that came with my fish.  It was a little salty.

Bill’s salad seemed to be more Greek inspired.  It included feta and more peppers.  

Bill’s lamb.  He said it was very good.  I don’t like lamb very much, so I didn’t try it.

My dorade was mostly good, except it was a little cold/underdone in the middle.  It could have used a little more time on the fire.  I didn’t complain, though, because by the time I realized it was underdone, I had pretty much had enough anyway.  We could have taken the fish with us if we’d wanted to.  The t’zatziki that came with this dorade was absolutely fantastic… probably among the best I’ve ever had.  I liked the thick cut fries, too.

A nice little foyer near the restrooms…

Specials…


While I have had better dorade elsewhere, I liked this restaurant because I enjoyed talking to the lady/waitress who took care of us.  She was very friendly and kind and even showed us pictures of home and her family.  It made me want to go to Greece.  She brought out more ouzo, too…

We will have to go back and try their gyros and souvlaki.  I like that this restaurant is within stumbling distance of where we live.  That allows us to drink lots of red wine… which we definitely did last night.   

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Visit number two to Tommi’s Bistro in Unterjettingen…

Since Bill has to go away next week, we decided to have dinner at Tommi’s Bistro again.  The weather was very agreeable.  I didn’t even need a jacket, though I brought one just in case.  Our first stop was at the bank for some euros.  There is a Sparkasse right across the street from Tommi’s.  It even has a handy air pump for those who ride bikes.

Clever ad campaign.

We crossed the street and entered the restaurant where the same bartender/waitress who was working three weeks ago was behind the bar.  She immediately recognized us and gave us a smile as we took a seat.  Not many people were at Tommi’s last night, so the mood was rather relaxed.  I immediately recognized Lou Gramm’s vocals.  It was apparently Foreigner night at Tommi’s, because that was what played on the sound system the entire time we were there.  Given that we’re Americans and everybody else in the restaurant was German, I guess it was appropriate.

Bill ordered a nice bottle of Argentinian wine and some fizzy water.

 

Naturally, we also ordered steaks.  I decided to go with the three hundred gram dry aged rib-eye from Argentina.  Bill had the three hundred gram rib-eye from Ireland.  We wanted to compare them.  At 21.50 euros, it was a pretty fair deal.  I had pommes (fries) as a side and Bill had the oven baked potato with sour cream.

Before our steaks arrived, we enjoyed a complimentary house shot of sherry.

I mentioned in my last review of Tommi’s that it’s also a music venue.  Next Saturday, a CCR cover band is playing.  I might want to see that, though Saturday is the day Bill returns from his trip.  He might be too tired.

I hear these guys can jam!

If you like pulled pork, you might want to visit Tommi’s April 24-26.  We will be in Vienna during those dates.

My steak from Argentina.  I didn’t bother photographing the fries.  You’ve seen one plate of fries, you’ve seen them all.

Bill’s steak and baked potato.  I did try the baked potato, though I’m not really a sour cream fan.  I like my potatoes plain with butter and salt.  I will admit the baked potato was very good, even with the sour cream.  I might have it next time.

 

I preferred the Argentinian steak to the Irish one, though both were good.  To me, the Argentinian steak had a different flavor and texture.  It was more tender and had a more appealing flavor.  Unfortunately, I can’t really describe it in words.  Bill agreed, though he enjoyed the Irish beef and would have no issues ordering it again.  I also discovered that the 300 gram size is more than I can handle.  Next time, I’m downsizing.

Dinner was very leisurely.  We finished after a couple of hours and Bill decided to order us a round of Williams pear schnapps.  He has a funny story about pear schnapps that involved underage drinking and a sleazy bartender back in the mid 80s.  Fortunately, last night’s round was more mundane.

 

The chef came out and greeted everyone.  I don’t think he spoke English, but we were able to thank him and tell him the meal was excellent.  For those who like karaoke, there is a “live karaoke” night on Thursday of this week.  It basically involves singing with a live band, which I would love to do.  I wish Bill would be in town this week, though, because I don’t want to go by myself.  In fact, as I was explaining this to the waitress, I taught her the English slang term “chicken”.  That’s what I am.  Perhaps I’ll get another chance sometime soon. 

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Another fine Greek meal at Taverne beim Griechen…

Last fall, Bill and I visited a Greek restaurant in Unterjettingen called Taverne beim Griechen.  This restaurant is located in a sports park, as are many great restaurants in Germany.  I wanted to go out last night, so I asked Bill if he’d like to visit Taverne beim Griechen again.  We were long overdue.  At first, Bill was reluctant because he didn’t feel like venturing out.  But then I charmed him with my disarming smile and raunchy sense of humor and he finally acquiesced.

When we got to the restaurant last night, it was about 7:00.  Lots of folks were sitting at the bar and several families were at the restaurant’s large tables.  In my first blog about this restaurant, I had initially written that I didn’t think this Taverne beim Griechen is very intimate.  I have now decided that I like the interior of this place, which has plenty of cozy Eckbank Gruppes and large windows that overlook a patio and playing fields.  I’d prefer a couple of smaller tables because I hate feeling like I’m wasting space at a big table.  However, Taverne beim Griechen’s dining room is nicely decorated and modern.

A friendly waitress invited us to choose a table.  There weren’t any small ones available, so we took a table for six in a corner near the windows.

Bill trying not to look interested as he enjoys his beer…

Our server didn’t speak any English, but was very kind as I tried out my horrible German.  She laughed as I struggled to tell her that I’m still learning.  Once again, we had to explain that we’re Americans.  I thought it was obvious!  I’m not complaining, though.

We ordered a round of dunkelweizens (by Hochdorfer) as we perused the menu.  I was tempted by the dorade, which I ordered last time and really enjoyed, but wasn’t all that hungry last night.  Our waitress brought us shots of ouzo to go with our beers as we made up our minds.

I eventually settled on a Neptune platter– gyros with pommes, t’zatziki, and calamari, while Bill ordered souvlaki with rice.  We both had small salads that we didn’t really need.  I ended up dripping the light vinaigrette on my shirt.

Small salad with dressing that stained my shirt… keeps me regular!

My Neptune platter.  I almost never order calamari, but I have to admit I enjoyed it last night.  I have to thank one of Bill’s Army buddies for introducing it to me.  

Bill’s souvlaki.  He’s not a fan of raw onions, but he did enjoy this dish last night.  Bill even ended up saying he was glad we’d gone out.  He’s usually not disappointed when he listens to me.

Service was attentive and friendly.  We even got a visit from the proprietor, a gregarious guy who appeared to be very Greek!  We didn’t have dessert, but we did enjoy another round of beer.  Unfortunately, our bill somehow got added to the check of a larger party sitting behind us.  We all had a good laugh as that got straightened out.  As Bill paid, we enjoyed another house shot of ouzo.  They tried to give me a “cowardly shot”, but I gave it to Bill, since he was driving!  I think before the tip, we owed about 35 euros for dinner.  Much cheaper than our meal in Nagold, but not as fancy!

We really like the food at Taverne beim Griechen and the prices are very fair.  There’s also plenty of seating for groups and a huge, free parking lot.  Maybe someday my venting buddies can visit.  One thing to note is that smoking is allowed at the bar.

If you search the tags for my first post on this eatery, you can get a look at their excellent dorade…  It’s very yummy!

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Calling all meat lovers…

Okay…  well, if you don’t like meat, don’t bother with this post.  If you like a good steak, please read on…

When we first took our house in Unterjettingen, the previous tenants mentioned that there is a fantastic steak house here.  We kinda figured they were talking about Tommi’s Bistro, which is a bar sort of on the main drag.  We didn’t know for certain, though, and we still don’t.  What I do know that is that it’s unlikely there is a better steak joint in this area; and, frankly, we hit the beef jackpot.  Tommi’s is also well known for being a great place for live music.

I am ashamed to admit that we’ve been here since September 2014 and tonight was our first visit to Tommi’s…  Sure, we had eyed the place.  We wanted to visit a couple of months ago.  Shit, we live within walking distance of Tommi’s!  But tonight was the first time we ever visited.  We walked there from our house; it took maybe ten minutes.  We were rewarded with the very best steaks either of us have ever had in Germany.  Given that my husband has been here three times and I have been here twice, not including visits on vacation, that is really saying something.

 

Tommi’s menu… very unassuming… They have a variety of dry aged steaks from Argentina, in a variety of sizes…  

 Bill checks the menu…

 

I decided on the 200 gram entrecôte (rib eye).  Bill had a 200 gram rinderfilet (filet mignon).  We both ordered pommes on the side.  Our steaks came with an aperitif of sherry.  There were plenty of other sides to choose from, but we decided to go basic.

It was quite a nice sherry, too…  No extra charge.

 

My rib-eye was PERFECT.  It was cooked to medium, tender and juicy, just the way I like it; and it was just plain fabulous…

 

And so was Bill’s filet, though he paid an extra six euros for filet mignon.  He says it was worth every euro penny!

We both had pommes… they were excellent.  Other, healthier sides were available.

Yes, that is a stage.  Tommi’s hosts a lot of live entertainment, especially on Thursday and Saturday nights!  It was pretty quiet tonight, though.

 

A shot of the bar, right after another couple had left.  When we arrived, one couple was at the bar, one was at a table with their kids, and there were two guys by the window.  We were the last to leave.  It’s a crying shame!

Bill checks out the menu again…

And decides to join me with a glass of wine.  He had filet mignon and fries, plus a beer and a glass of wine.  I had a ribeye and two glasses of wine.  Total bill before tip = 52.80 euros.

We found the service to be as good as the food was.  The bartender/waitress was very kind and pleasant and spoke excellent English.  She was happy to tell us about the music offered at Tommi’s, as well as the good food.  I left the restaurant feeling sad that we’d only just discovered it.  Moreover, the whole time we were there, they were playing songs that were popular when I was a kid.  “Ev’ry Rose Has Its Thorn”, check!  “Purple Rain”, check!  “How Long” by Ace, check!  I was especially excited when they played “The Last Unicorn” by America…  I happen to own the very expensive German import CD soundtrack from that 1982 film (I was ten when it came out)…

Not a good shot of their sign, but…

If you ever find yourself in Unterjettingen, I highly recommend Tommi’s Bistro.  Hell, even if you just really like an excellent steak from Argentina, you should get your ass to this town.  I was very impressed, and I am a woman who knows about meat.  If you are a music fan, you may also want to know about Tommi’s.  And yes, they do have some things on the menu other than meat… but meat is where they really shine.  I was happy to thank the chef on my way out.

Parking may be a challenge.  We did notice what looked like parking near a biergarten, but the one other time we meant to visit, we were skittish about parking…  Fortunately, we live so close that walking is no problem.

We will definitely be back to Tommi’s soon.  If you like beef and want a great steak in Germany, we highly suggest you follow our lead!

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Review of Taverne beim Griechen in Unterjettingen, Germany…

My husband Bill and I were in the mood for some Greek food last night.  Ordinarily, that might mean a trip to Agais, which is a Greek restaurant in Entringen we used to visit a lot when we lived in the Stuttgart area last time (2007-09).  But since we don’t live as close to Agais as we used to and we’re trying to get to know the restaurants in our new area, we decided to try a more local place.  That’s how we ended up eating at Taverne beim Griechen in Unterjettingen, Germany.

A sign by the door…

The menu

 

Taverne beim Griechen is not a place you’d easily find while driving around.  It’s located in a sports club very close to the local Aldi store.  There’s a huge parking lot next to the restaurant and when we arrived, there was a football game going on.  By the time we left, our car was the only one still in the lot, yet the restaurant was doing a booming business.  That must mean it’s popular with the locals who can easily walk there.  If the truth be told, Bill and I could have walked there ourselves.  It’s maybe two miles from our house.

The entrance to the restaurant is around the front of the building and you have to climb a flight of stairs to get to it.  Taverne beim Griechen has a good sized bar area and a couple of big flat screen TVs are mounted on the walls.  There are a lot of tables available, making it less intimate or charming.  Still, the restaurant’s interior is pleasant.  I can see how it would be popular with the sports bar crowd.  Smoking is allowed at the bar and I was reeking of it last night.

Bill waits for the waitress…

Pretty napkin fold.  Hadn’t seen one done like this before.

The woman who waited on us was very pleasant.  I don’t know if she spoke English, since Bill and I both used our elementary German skills when we ordered.  I did notice she said a couple of words in English to us, but they were as basic as our German is.  We’ll have to go back to determine if she’s bi or trilingual.  I won’t mind doing that, because the food was fabulous!

We started with an obligatory shot of ouzo…

Bill had the Korfu Teller, which at 11 euros was gyros and suflaki with vegetable (tomato and pepper) rice and t’zaziki.

I had the dorade royale, which was 16 euros and came with vegetable rice and garlic sauce…

 

Both of these dishes were excellent.  The dorade in particular was beautifully done, grilled to perfection with moist flesh.  Bill was raving about it as he helped himself to some of my fish, which was more than I could eat!  I love dorade.  I discovered it during our first stay in Germany when we first tried Greek food because I wasn’t sure I’d like t’zaziki and wasn’t feeling brave.  Of course, now I love a good plate of gyros or suflaki, but in 2007, I was new to Greek food.  And now, when I see dorade on a menu, it really tempts me.

We enjoyed a couple of glasses of red wine and some mineral water.  At the meal’s end, our waitress brought us a couple of more shots of ouzo.  She brought me a “cowardly” shot, which is basically a less alcoholic fruity liqueur typically presented to women.  It was kind of brownish and tasted like passionfruit last night, though I’ve had some that were blue or green.  I gave it to Bill and took his ouzo, since he was doing the driving.  The bill was about 45 euros.

I noticed a couple of people staring at us, probably because we obviously aren’t regulars.  I have a feeling that Taverne beim Griechen mostly serves a very local clientele who both know how to find it and are close enough to walk to it.

Taverne beim Griechen offers delicious food at a fair price, though Agais remains a favorite because I love visiting the people who own it.  Taverne beim Griechen is less intimate and charming than Agais is, though I think it might make a great venue for groups.  I can see why it’s popular with the locals in the Jettingen area.  I have a feeling we’ll be back.

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