Munich

[Marc]

CARUSO

More for those residing in Munich because it is in the suburbs and has nothing of the flair so typical for Munich, either Bavarian, stared or chichi. And not even mentioned in Michelin or one of the other suspects.
It is a typical neighbourhood everyday place: nice and pleasant, modern, setting and definitely extremely solid food, especially seafood, at very reasonable prices. The antipasti buffet has always been of great variety and freshness. In general 10% better and 10 % cheaper than comparable restaurants of that league.
For example 3 course dinner for two including a bottle of wine for 49 Euros. Tuesday is fish-day: a 5 course tasting menu for 19,50.

http://www.ristorante-caruso.de/

[glbtrtr]

Marc, will be spending a week in Munich in mid December, staying near the main train station - what dining recommendations that are walkable in the cold (Southern Californian here) or accessible by public transport. Also do you have any recs for Bamberg and Nurnberg? Thanks.

[Marc]

no idea for Bamberg and Nürnberg - with respect to Munich the contributions from so many including myelf still apply.
If you have special interst like communal table, single dining, groups, casual or formal, ethnic food l- et me know. There will be around by mid December for example several dinner spectacles including Tollwood. And everything is in easy reach by public transport. Tantris for example sports complimentary individual-limousine-return-service.

[glbtrtr]

Right now the thought of roast pork and gravy and sausages, potatoes and pickled cabbages in the comfort of cold weather sounds good enough for me. I guess we are most interested in German food, or what I think of as German food from my limited US perspective.

What else is in the traditional German menu that still counts as fairly mainstream (not into offal or organ parts.......)?

And what would be the best beers not to miss in some order of priority? Two seasoned travellers here wanting to share in the glitter of Christmas for a few days in Bavaria. And did I mention I liked breads, desserts and pastries.....

What is Tollwood?

Thanks.

[Marc]

You check these typical local restaurants and select the ones you like best:
Bratwurstglöckl am Dom (highly recommended beer out of wood barrel)
next door: Andechser am Dom
Check Augustiner at pedestrian area – beautiful location
Bratwurstherzl
Haxnbauer
Spatenhaus
Franziskaner
SchneiderWeisse
Schrannenhalle
Pfälzer Weinstube (only wine)
Spöckmaier
Dürnbräu
Sedlmayer
Ratskeller

and have a Glühwein at one of the C-Mas markets.
Your hotel will point them in the local map – they are all in easy walking distance from the hotel.

And tollwood:
http://www.tollwood.de/winterfestival...

[glbtrtr]

Thanks Marc, and a little more help bitte, what local specialities or old favorites known by local names beyond my standard roast pork - does it go by other names in Munich?

Did not know at all about Tollwood -no wonder it was hard to get hotel rooms!

[Marc]

Benchmark is Schweinebraten. Schweinshaxe can be good but very often is not.
I suggest you ask for the restaurants specialities - and most will have English menues.

[chowmix]

I'd add the Hacker Pschorr Haus to the Munich list. Outstanding schweinhaxe which goes well with a HP Weisse.

In Bamberg, the restaurant in the Hotel Messerschmitt is excellent, as is the hotel itself. But the best part of Bamberg is imbibing copious amounts of Schlenkerla Rauchbier.

[girobike]

Hi glbtrtr,

Being a Northern Californian that is married to a Bavarian, my advice would be to walk up the street to Augustinerkeller (see link) and go down into the cellar to have a dinner with ample amounts of beer. Try a Fleischteller (literally - Meat Plate). Throw out all notions of fat-free CA philosophy.

The acoustics of the place are really interesting, and the way its lit up with UV lights gives it the feeling of there being daylight.

Augustiner is for my money the best beer in Munich. Its also the oldest brewery, founded in 1368. You'll find that most beer lovers in Munich praise it as the best. Bear in mind that its only for Munich - there are many other beers in Germany that are excellent.

Next, try going into Haxenbauer on another day and try the Schweinshaxe. Its basically the leg of a pig, roasted. The link to Haxenbauer is attached. Also drink ample amounts of beer to that.

For a typical German breakfast in a trendy part of Munich, make a reservation at Vorstadt Cafe in Schwabing (see link) and order a traditional German brunch. Make sure you make that reservation during weekends, otherwise you're hosed.

Enjoy!

-----
Gastst
Arnulfstr. 52 M

Haxnbauer im Scholastikahaus
Sparkassenstra

Vorstadt Caf
T, CT , ES

[Luna2308]

Hi glbtrtr , I can't give you any advice on places in Munich or Bamberg, but I am from Nuernberg and although I haven't lived there in a while I go there quite often to see my family. If you want to eat authentic traditional franconian food, go for the Schweinebraten or the Schaeufele (pork shoulder with crispy skin and potato dumpling). There is places in the city, but if you want the real thing and unbeatable prices, you should take a taxi and head into the countryside (you could combine it with a nice walk). One of my favorite places is the "Drei Linden" in Kalchreuth. If you want to go for more for a fine dining experience, there is several really good places. In the city, there is the "Essigbraetlein", be sure to reserve as it's very small or the restaurant "Wonka". Although my favorite place is in Heroldsberg, just outside of Nuernberg, 15 minutes by taxi. The restaurant "Gastronomique" , located in an old farmhouse is run by Fabian Feldmann, who is from around Nuernberg but lived and learned in France and Italy for years. He cooks absolutely delicious food and uses local seasonal products. His wife Sarah is french and provides a very charming and knowledgeable service.
www.gasthausdreilinden.de
www.gastronomique.de
Hope you will have a good time, Luna