2-minute read by Mihaela Cosarca
Foret Noire – both the region and the cake- are always appealing to me- in any season! Quiet, almost dramatic, mysterious and ready to charm you!! Over Easter, because a junior visitor was interested in Europa Park and anything engine related in Stuttgart Mercedes and Porsche Museums, and the grownups decided to follow. Not a car fanatic, but between these hotspots there is always time for discovering that hole in the wall that calls your name and feeds your growling hunger and eventually that drop that quenches your thirst.
To start the trip well and because we have to respect opening and closing times between destinations, the grownups decided that it is best to start with wine or spirits tasting at a local producer. Imagine this at 10:30 am, but for research purposes, the sacrifice was made! I must admit that I discovered this one during the pandemic while escaping confinement by 48-hour bouts… The Durbacher Weinstube in Durbach, where else?!
White wines are impressive here, Riesling is always a favourite, but the absolute best that I brought home with me (amongst others) is a Baden Gewurztraminer 2022 (spàtlese or translated as ‘ late harvest’). In non-specific terms, completely amateurish description- this to me is like liquid floral rose water with a concentrated dose of sun. Flowery, fresh, enveloping and after that you can only dream of summer and a refreshing breeze. Rosés, reds with a full body taste that does not overpower and lets you guess cherries or blueberries until the last tastebud screams ‘Definitely, I want more’!! Adults’ playground, just taste responsibly at any hour!
And there were liquors, everything in between 20 and 40°… Blonde girl here got cherry liquor, not yet tasted, but for sure will be calling my name later when the black forest will be just a memory and nostalgia will call me to open that cabinet drawer and maybe share with friends and lovely guests. So let me know when you plan on coming at apéro hour -you might get lucky! Durbacher also has a lovely conference room which gave me an idea about a pilates and wine-tasting retreat, but I am often full of ideas… and working on them occasionally so let me know what you think!!
Let’s talk about food that loves you back!
And now let’s talk about food that loves you back – Marquardtei The Schnitzelakademy in Tubingen. The SCHNITZELAKADEMY, nothing less!! With a lovely hostess whose name I forgot to ask and I am really sorry because she deserves all the praise for helping us between English and broken German and for coming after us before heading out to share lollipops according to their tradition!
Come hungry please because the half portion is really big! Their speciality – a cosmopolitan schnitzel in any combination. They have an impressive variety: Toronto, Rome, Paris, Strasbourg, Zurich, Belgrade and more!! Even a hungry junior agreed they were all delicious so he couldn’t pick a real favorite.
Mine, on the other hand ( which is not in the picture because was devoured by sharing before a picture became a project), was the Paris Schnitzel… Roquefort and cream sauce, what else? Better know your favourite or have no regrets after you decide because the possibilities are endless- sides to mix and match, fries, country potatoes, spaetzle & more!
Everything local, homemade and absolutely heavenly-delish belly happy!!! The hunger monster was quiet until the next day, hats off and a place to get back anytime when not far away from Tubingen!
And to spoil another address because we can not talk about Foret Noire without mentioning the desert – Monnier 1912 in Morat, stop by and try a little taste of cherry and cream paradise!
And all this is not too far away from your neighbourhoods in Swiss Romande- or really, wherever you are in Switzerland! Travelling for a cake can be your next objective – are you ready??
About the author: Mihaela Cosarca
Travelling Foodie, based in Suisse Romande
Physio by day, pilates and health enthusiast with an eternal appreciation for genuine people from all walks of life. Discovering the best local Swiss (and more) addresses through patients’ and clients’ recommendations.
Travelling regularly for culturally-infused experiences.