Travel by car to the western edge of Belgium, and encounter the Trappist beer aficionados have coveted for decades – one of the few remaining true Trappist monastery owned and operated breweries left unspoiled by marriage to the corporate world: Westvleteren. I first learned of Westvleteren, or “Westie” as its cult following affectionately refers to…
Category: Europe
Steinernes Haus: Steak on a hot stone
Steak on a hot “lava” stone is a fun, interactive way to enjoy a meal. My one and only introduction to the genre left me wishing it was common outside of Germany. When you think about it, it’s a bit odd that we humans seek out restaurant experiences in which we pay to cook our…
Fontana di Trevi: Italian at its best in Frankfurt
Perfectly balanced beef carpaccio accented with chanterelles; ethereal angel hair pasta with shaved black truffles; gnocchi with tangy gorgonzola sauce. Those dishes were irresistible at Frankfurt’s Fontana di Trevi. I have to admit that despite my German ancestry, I’m not a huge fan of German food. It’s too much pork and potatoes for my taste…
The Rhine Wine Cruise
The best adventures are those born of the unexpected. That absolutely came to pass when a group of us took a day cruise up the Rhine (Rhein) river in search of an authentic Rheingau winery experience. After a great experience at the Rheingau Wine Festival in Wiesbaden, my friends decided we would make it a full…
The Rheingau Wine Festival
Germany loves its festivals. During summer months, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a new festival. And a German wine festival is a sight to behold. Or, rather, an extravaganza for all of the senses to behold. If you’re looking for happy people, interesting if not great music, refined festival cuisine, and every nuance…
Wedel chocolate cafe: Polish confections for a chocoholic
Women and chocolate. Few food stereotypes are more appropriate – at least in my case. I am someone constantly in search of my next chocolate fix. In Krakow, Poland, I did not have to look too hard to find Wedel, a chain of chocolate cafes that feel like the perfect spot to celebrate girls’ day…
Zielona Kuchnia: An organic experience in Krakow
Classic continental European dishes take on organic, Polish interpretations at one of Krakow’s best modern restaurants. I’ve found that I can visit any city in Europe and find menus that put the city, region, or country’s spin on dishes from throughout the continent. The more I travel, the more I notice the culinary influences of…
Pod Aniolami – ‘Under the angels’ and underground for Poland’s best
Step back in time for an underground (literally!) feast of some of Poland’s finest cuisine deep in the heart of Krakow. A colleague who knows Poland well highly recommended Pod Aniolami (literally “Under the Angels,” translated) for both the excellent food and a walk back into medieval Poland. Not one to ignore such an enthusiastic…
Exploring food and beverages in Lesser Poland
What is Polish cuisine? While it is always tough to define or pigeonhole any country or locale’s food, Polish cuisine is not vastly deviant from that of other eastern European nations or groups. Traditional foods are well suited for its bone-chilling winters. Sausage, pork, potatoes, cabbage, beets, and sour cream are a few of its…
The Culinary Diplomat 