Both hotels we stayed in served continental breakfasts that supplied the usual "liquid" eggs, but Cocoon in Munich had a very nice spread of sliced deli meats and cheese, potato salad, fresh cut fruit, plain yogurt, muesli, cherry tomatoes with mozzarella balls covered in balsamic vinaigrette, sliced cucumbers, smoked salmon, pickled asparagus, hot and cold sausages, various whole grain breads, cream cheese, and coffee. It was a great way to start our day; giving us lots of energy to walk and sight-see. At the Hofbahnhof (train station) I frequently saw business people ordering sandwiches or big cups of muesli with whole milk for breakfast. Both are much better options than a bowl of Special K with skim milk, as so many of my clients have done in the past.
In Munich we did the touristy thing of eating Sauerbraten at the Hofbrauhaus. Unfortunately, it didn't even come close to being as tender or flavorful as what my aunt Rosie made at christmas last year. But the wine and beer and atmosphere made up for it.
Near the English gardens Ryan and I ate a couple of delicious salads. Later that day we enjoyed a couple of drinks at the Japanese pagoda in the gardens while listening to an umpa band.
For supper we found a traditional German restaurant the Haxenbauer, near Marion Platz, with what I thought were rotisserie chickens in the window. Come to find out they were schweinshaxe (pork knuckle/ham hock) and were one of the best things I've ever eaten. Seriously. The skin was crispy and the meat was fall off the bone tender.
In Frankfurt we of course tried the traditional Grune Sosse (green sauce) at Metrapol Cafe. This was the only restaurant without an English menu. But our waitress was very helpful, and knowing a bit of German did come in handy. The grune sosse was amazing! It was served with hardboiled eggs and potatoes which had been boiled and then pan fried till crisp. We almost licked our plates. In Frankfurt, Ryan discovered a new love for Apflewein or apple wine. I thought it tasted like rotten apple juice that had sat in an old shoe, but to each their own.
On our last day we had lunch at Cookie In The Box just up from the Rhine River. I enjoyed a bowl of creamy pumpkin carrot soup, and since we were on vacation...gave in for a scrumptious chocolate-white chocolate chip cookie. mmmm....
What we found interesting were the number of people who were not obese, but had either a pronounced beer belly or "spare tire." I'm not sure if this is something we would have seen 50 years ago due to the nature of the country (beer, pretzels, bread, deserts), or if like the U.S., this is a new occurrence. While people may have been carrying extra weight, I did not see people who looked sick, lethargic, and sallow. I'm guessing this is because people are still eating more real foods, and foods that contain real fats.
Germany is a beautiful country, and if you have never thought of going, you should.
In Frankfurt we of course tried the traditional Grune Sosse (green sauce) at Metrapol Cafe. This was the only restaurant without an English menu. But our waitress was very helpful, and knowing a bit of German did come in handy. The grune sosse was amazing! It was served with hardboiled eggs and potatoes which had been boiled and then pan fried till crisp. We almost licked our plates. In Frankfurt, Ryan discovered a new love for Apflewein or apple wine. I thought it tasted like rotten apple juice that had sat in an old shoe, but to each their own.
Germany is a beautiful country, and if you have never thought of going, you should.
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| Happy cows come from Bavaria |
The food sounds delish! Would have loved to try the pumpkin/carrot soup. Gina, Rosie & I never passed up a pumpkin soup in New Zealand. The German one looks really good.
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