Week in Colmar
Some friends and I will be spending about a week in Colmar starting on Saturday. This is probably the most disorganized vacation to Europe ever planned, so we haven't really done that much research.
I am excited to eat Choucroute and Tarte Flambee and drink Riesling, so what are the must-visit restaurants in Colmar? Or pastry/cheese shops? Or bars? We will be renting a car so we can visit other places in the neighboring area.
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I've been to Alsace a few times and loved it... Last time we were there, we stayed in Colmar and rented bikes for a few days, every day making a different loop, biking thru the vineyards, tasting wine, eating flammekueche (...mmmm...).. Oh, and there's a great ride from Munster back down to Colmar - you can even put your bikes on the train to go up, and then it's a beautiful cruise down, stopping to buy some Munster cheese of course...
There's a restaurant in Rouffach, just a bit south of Colmar, Philippe Bohrer - we've eaten there a couple of times and every time it's been fantastic:
philippe-bohrer.frAlsatian riesling is good, of course (though IMO German riesling is often better *shhh!*), but the other varietals are also worth trying (e.g. pinot gris, pinot blanc, gewürztraminer, pinot noir... and of course a good bottle of crémant can be truly excellent)
Foie gras is traditional to Alsace and it's usually paired with a Vendange Tardive Riesling, if you're open to such things I recommend trying it.
If the weather is good, Alsace is adorable, hope you enjoy it!
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For choucroute try Wistub Brenner. Good food and nice local wine list. The place right across the street makes very good Tarte Flambee, but I wouldn`t recommend it otherwise. Both is situated in The Petit Venice area.
For pastry try Gilg in the old town.
For more upscale dining; Rendez-vous de la chasse, JYS and L`Atelier de Peintre.
Our best experience was the cheese ceremonials at Bernard Antony in Vieux-Ferrette (an hours drive south of Colmar). Theyre only available thursday to saturday night, and only 15-20 seatings.
You can taste about 20 of the best cheeses in France, and a great winelist. Personal, friendly and fantastic cheese.Try the Taverne Alsacienne in Ingersheim (4 km outside Colmar). Very friendly, good food and winelist. If you really want to treat yourself try L`Auberge de l`ill in Illhauseren. Wonderful and classic. A true legend.
I will also recommand a visit to Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Ribauville and Bergheim. Visit some wineproducers.
Jørn
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Here is my report from 2009 (things generally don't change all that much so it should still be applicable today):
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/656910
I hope you enjoy this wonderful part of the world. Try to do as we did, a day trip to the Franche-Comte. We liked it so much we went there for 3 days last year. Here is the link to that report:
