A stroll through Strasbourg France

So on my second day in Strasbourg, this time without my friendly tour guides I did my best to navigate the streets and see what else I could find. I had been given a looooong list of things I must try prior to my departure, I can’t say I did everything. There are only so many hours in the day! I thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the streets however. I spent plenty of time going in circles also. It’s not easy explaining the layout of the streets and they are equally “not easy” in navigating, no matter how small the town is. So despite my going in circles I was able to make some progress and tried to get in as much as possible.

Strasbourg is known for a most amazing Cathedral. It is absolutely MASSIVE. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourg_Cathedral I am not sure if my pictures do it any justice. You can see from the link that at one time, although a very long time ago, it was the tallest building in the world. Part of me wonders if it just seems massive because the town that bustles around it is relatively small. Either way, it is certainly a sight to see. I really enjoyed it!

I stopped for tea in the most adorable little shop. The pastries are really something to admire. There are great pastries all over the world, it is safe to say the French bug has bitten me though. Everything is delicate and ornate and has a taste that is purely sublime.

It is also so fun to see actual chestnut vendors in the streets. They smell so good and immediately bring thoughts of Christmas and the holiday season! The town bustled with preparations for the upcoming holidays, lights being strung, small cottages built up for the Christmas markets, decorations everywhere, truly a special sight to see!

Mireille Oster - Pain D'Epices - Strasbourg, France

Right in the heart of La Petit France, a small neighborhood in Strasbourg, sits a small shop that is absolutely 100% to die for! I don't have a particularly large sweet tooth. Which is fine with me, I do have those sweets that I love but I'm pretty sure I don't need a t-shirt warning what will happen if I don't get my chocolate.

Mireille Oster - Pain D'Epices is a wonderland of sweets! The kind like in the Nutcracker, really! When you walk in you are bombarded with a scent that consumes you, fresh baked gingerbread, chocolates and other kinds of confectioner treats! The woman at the front of the store is quick to come have you try some fresh baked gingerbread. It tastes so good it makes you think of Christmas and Sugar Plum Fairies and everything in between. The best part about this place? The kitchen is just beyond the store front. I couldn't believe when I was brought to the back I saw actual trays of gingerbread about to go into the oven, giant jars of cardamom pods which they hand seed themselves. This place is real, the stuff doesn't come from some factory 20 miles away, it comes from right there!! The staff is so pleasant they make you feel as though you are one of the family, I am pretty sure they are all family or at least as close as. I passed by the following day and the entire staff was sitting down to lunch...complete with a glass of wine!!

I saw in one of the packages many small cream colored chocolate eggs. In fact they were not chocolate eggs...again the woman running the shop went to the kitchen to gather some so I could taste. They were creme brulee eggs. There is no finer flavor than these!! It simply is like eating a small creme brulee! It was crunchy and creamy and rich and delicious!!

If you make it to Strasbourg, this location is NOT to be missed...they also have a website, soooo maybe you don't have to miss it at all! Check it out, you won't be disappointed!!

www.mireille-oster.com

P.S. The picture of the caption on the wall may be difficult to read but they are words to live by for sure... "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself." Oscar Wilde

Frick-Lutz - Strasbourg France

Once my new found aquaintances and I had settled the bill at Le Clou, we bundled up and set out on a magnificent culinary tour of Strasbourg! With each stop I was fully aware of being in France and the careful attention they have for all things edible. You find these meat shops, for example, everywhere. With the dying art that is being a Butcher, it is a thrill to watch them at work. In one of the places I stopped, the Butcher was breaking down an entire veal. The whole thing lay on his giant cutting board, the whole process for a man with no doubt a lifetime of experience, lasted 15 minutes. He was disgusted with having me for an audience, I am certain of that, but I could not appreciate his skill more! This shop in particular as you can see has a unit for aged beef, ducks, rabbits, lamb, veal, anything you can think of frankly that falls under a meat category! They also had beautiful glass containers of Foie Gras pate, one that I purchased for my dinner. Madame pulled me aside to explain the one I had chosen was only for one...I explained that I am only one, if I buy for two then I will most certainly eat for two, if for nothing else out of complete respect for the heritage! I also purchased a bottle of the local Pinot Noir and Voila friends, this is my dinner!!!

They have a website if you are interested in looking further!!

http://www.frick-lutz.fr/

Le Clou Winstub - Strasbourg, France

I have so much to share on the wonder of France and its Culinary Delights! I am happy that upon arriving in my first location in France, I found a pleasant blend of German and French cuisines. This being due to the fact that my first stop was in the Alsace region of France which borders (and sometimes was) Germany. Strasbourg was for me a tremendous place and as I shared previously the couple I met while have lunch in "Le Clou" spent the better part of their afternoon taking me around and showing me with abundant pride all the culinary delights that were offered!

Le Clou has such a warm and wonderful setting. It was such a treat from spending the morning in the cold pouring rain sightseeing. The tables are sat in long rows so there is little hope of eating alone. I always find this a wonderful treat because there is better opportunity to meet new people.

The menu is not vast (I prefer a smaller menu) and is full of rich treats as well as local specialties. I personally was on a mission to find "La Choucroute Garni" and find it I did! Similar to the dish featuring Saumagen in Heidelberg this dish has an assortment of meats and sausages piled over a heaping plate of sauerkraut! So delicious and ,once again, my mouth is watering. They served fresh baguette on the table and a small crock of AMAZING Dijon mustard, I suspect that came from the "Dijon Region" of France. The dish was delightful and hot. My new friends had Les 12 Escargots a l'Alsacienne, which smelled amazing, and beautiful Le Foie Gras d'Oie Truffe, Goose Foie Gras featuring the ever luscious Black Truffle. They seemed happy with their starters. Both, I must tell you were not happy with their entrees and told the waiter exactly that. Madame said she wouldn't have even served it in her home...so there you go. She proceeded to tell me that food is her passion at home and sometimes she can be difficult at restaurants. They vowed never to return.

I however cannot make that vow, the food I had was delicious. I would try other places as well:)

As for the wine - I had one glass of Gewürztraminer, another specialty of the Alsace region. The couple I met were kind enough to share a Pinot Noir of the region as well. Both were delicious. You can see the color of the Pinot Noir in my picture it looks like nothing. I assure you it is everything and more. Such a rich bold wine. It surprised me from my first sip to my last.

Check out the website for more information on the menu and restaurant! www.le-clou.com (Strasbourg, France)

Bon Apetit!!

Domhof Brewery - Speyer Germany

Although I was lucky enough to have beautiful weather for mid-November it is clear to me that this place flourishes in the summer with an amazing outdoor Beer Garden and great old-style restaurant inside! The Beer Garden was closed for the winter although there were a few tables and a few patrons, myself included, enjoying the nice weather! I always love to find breweries like this one that are never far from the original tradition! They have hops weaving along the walls of the restaurant, a designer trick I have often been tempted to try...I like the look:) The Brewery is not large but the beer is delicious and has a flavor that is really unique! No need for blueberry or watermelon flavors here! It is crisp and very yeasty...almost like smelling fresh baked bread. From my pictures you can see the beer in Europe is usually served in this way with a big head on it. We don't serve it that way in the US, if they did I would be tempted to suggest that the keg is done and its time for a new one. My brother and I can agree though that this frothy top is reminiscent of our childhood as nobody ever noticed if some of it was missing ;)

Domhof is in a direct line to the Giant Cathedral in Speyer, "Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen" and a perfect place to refresh after sightseeing! They have a great website www.domhof.de which really can show you great pictures during the peak season!

Saumagen - Heidelberg Germany

So this is a tremendously famous dish in Germany...The exact translation is "Sow's Stomach". I had it in a brewery with several other local delicacies. Many of which I am familiar with from my upbringing. I will do my best to make clear what it is exactly that I ate. This is the website of the Brewerie...proceed with caution...

http://www.heidelberger-kulturbrauerei.de/

So item #1 Is Saumagen - Stuffed Sow's Stomach - Really delicious although maybe not by name...Be strong, by now I know you can handle it! I've thrown many things at you...this is easy!

1. The "Saumagen" is the meatloaf looking item. This is the link to Wikipedia for a better explanation:) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saumagen

2. The black colored sausage - Obviously blood sausage or blood pudding, I adore the texture and sweet flavor of this sausage. So YUMMY!

3. Liver dumplings - Maybe we cannot all say our Dad used to make soup with similar dumplings...I'm sorry, my Dad did. I'm a firm believer if you're a "texture" person, liver dumplings are the way to go. You get a bit of the texture with great flavor and in the form of a dumpling...who wouldn't eat that?!?!? We ate liver sauteed with onions and bacon too (I think chicken livers), my Mom is the master of cooking them...although she never joined us in eating them:)

4.Liver Sausage...Same argument...

5. Sauerkraut - mmmmmmmmmmmm Love it almost as much as I love beer!

6. And beer of course :) How can you not love the Eastern Europe culture???

Teddy Wurst - Germany

I have googled this particular type of meat and seem to be coming up...well not necessarily empty handed but hardly with a TON of information for you. I'll do the best I can! It is you have to admit the cutest "Wurst" you have ever seen, no? So here are some links...Enjoy!

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2275321/7153693

http://www.yopi.de/rev/216657

http://reinert.ro/en/news.29

http://www.baerchenwurst.de

World's Largest Wine Barrel - Heidelberg Germany

Need I say more??? Very often when out traveling locals give me all kinds of information. The kind that makes you wonder, "Is that really true?". In this case my friendly tour guide was right, and I couldn't be more happy! I was so thrilled I wanted to move in!! Believe me, the size of this thing is larger than my first apartment in San Francisco! I will post the pictures I have of Heidelberg Castle and the wine barrel. Not sure if my pictures do it justice. www.travel-wonders.com has an impressive story and some pictures, this is just a part of their description, "Deep in the bowels of Heidelberg Castle is the world’s largest wine barrel. The Heidelberg Tun or Grosses Fass holds over 220,000 litres (58,000 US gallons) and stands an impressive six metres high." So drink a glass of wine and toast this amazing place. Have two...It's a big barrel and deserves more than one toast!

Cheers!

Bismark Herring - Speyer Germany

I smile as I write this because I know. Not EVERYBODY loves "herring". A preserved fish in many different varieties. Epicurious.com food dictionary describes amongst other herrings Bismark as follows, "Bismarck herring are unskinned fillets that have been cured in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, salt and onions. Rollmops are Bismarck herring fillets wrapped around a piece of pickle or onion and preserved in spiced vinegar."

SO I had it, as seen in the picture in a sandwich form. Reliably delicious, tangy, chewy and satisfying. It's a stretch if your not used to it...I know. But I'm always wanting to try new things and I want that for you too. Life is too short to stick with the foods you know;)

Enjoy!

New pictures!!!

Hi there!! I've been off and running again. Today I add some fun pictures of my travels, tomorrow I'll update the blog...Ideally:) Take Care!

http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderingchefjana/ParisFrance?authkey=Gv1sRgCNWboveN4d3lXA&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderingchefjana/AvignonChateauneufDuPape?authkey=Gv1sRgCNDly9OthuDV1wE&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderingchefjana/StrasbourgFrance?authkey=Gv1sRgCPzWz8mz39CfIA&feat=directlink

If any of you have trouble opening the links, just let me know!

Just an update...

I'm currently traveling in Germany and France. SOOOO many things to share, it will take a while to post for sure! Just wanted to share a quick story from my lunch today. Strasbourg France, borders Germany. The region is Alsace. A culinary blend of German and French. A happy marriage to be sure! I was eating a local specialty that I will post on later. An older couple sat next to me. We chatted in my broken French throughout the meal. They shared the local wine they had ordered. They allowed me to photograph their food, it was wonderful although...Madame complained "La ratatouille est terrible! Il ne peut pas etre vrai!" So I will tell you about the restaurant in a later post even that according to Madame! Note that she was so disgusted she sent MY dessert menu back when the waiter brought it, I could not experience any more of this terrible food. They proceeded to take me on a 3 hour walking tour of Strasbourg. In and out of shops and patisseries we went. Testing, seeing kitchens, chatting with all kinds of people. "This is our friend from America" was my introduction! I love when life hands you friends in random corners of the world:) To my new friends: You said you would check the blog. If you do, my heartfelt THANKS!!

Pictures!!

Hi there everyone! I realize that not everyone is on Facebook so I have started the process of uploading pictures to a web album. My first set is my most recent trip to Marianske Lazne! Please let me know if you have any trouble at all viewing the images. I am happy to be able to share more of my experience with you! Just cut and paste the following link! If it doesn't work...give me a second. This technology is pretty fancy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderingchefjana/MarianskeLazne?authkey=Gv1sRgCLfZ9eChnOvn3wE&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderingchefjana/ViennaAustria?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-hl5_T1v601wE&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderingchefjana/Prague?authkey=Gv1sRgCOyQlLi_pZ38kAE&feat=directlink