About Me
How do you call someone who is crazy about food and fine dining? Who travels the world to eat at some of the best restaurants in remote places? Who tries to understand the cooking of some of those brilliant chefs by amateurishly trying to replicate their recipes? Who wants to share his dining and cooking experiences with the likes of him?
Don’t know yet, but if I come up the right one I will let you know. In the meantime, I am open for suggestions…
About this Blog
Just another foodie blog? Yes and no…
First and foremost, this blog will have a little German bias as I live and eat a lot in this wonderful country. When talking to other food enthusiasts and reading/discussing regularly on Steve’s OAD forum and eGullet I have experienced that most of our community is not that familiar with the cooking of best chefs in a country having the second most three star restaurants (nine since 2007 just a little behind the French;-)). On the other hand, interest from abroad is rising (just see Julot’s nice posts and Trine’s review of Facil and Residence). So, I will try to share my thoughts about the best German restaurants in this blog… To make sure that my five cents will be understood in the foodie community, this blog will be in English.
On the other hand, I do travel quite a bit and most trips bring me to some remote places which tend to have some nice dining possibilities. So, I will write about my meals and try to propose some new venues and endorse some rising or established stars.
To be modest, I have a dream of a chef constantly trying to produce dishes with some level of quality. Better, he is striving to produce dishes which are unique, outstanding and blow the mind of the diner. The majority of posts will deal with restaurants who at least try to have this ambition. On the other hand, the preparation of a good Schnitzel (yes) or other “normal” dishes (Germans would call them “gutbürgerlich”) is also an art and I find it increasingly difficult to just have lunch or diner in a informal place without being utterly disappointed. So, I will write about Fine and Casual Dining experiences. High-End for me means some kind of reference in a specific class of restaurant. Moreover, as this blog eveolves I hope to also include some high-end ingredients.
Some bloggers prefer not to post negative reviews. Hopefully, I will have only good ones, but in some instances, the uninformed needs to be warned. So, I will try to put out a Stop sign where necessary. Clearly, this is subjective, but however does not believe me can go and make his/her own experience. Some restaurants also do polarize a bit…
After all this nonsense, I hope that YOU will find this blog interesting, enjoyable, funny, thought-provoking. In the end, dining and food should be fun!
Hello Ingo,
Congrats for your blog and welcome into the blogger foodie world !
I’ve just discoverd your blog today, thanks to your comments on my foodie friend Trine’s blog.
From where is you header pic coming ? Looks nice
)
Looking forward to your next posts (De Jonkman looks interesting).
Cheers;
Laurent (GoT)
Hi Laurent,
thanks for your kind words – it’s good to be in…
My header pic is from Alinea and it’s actually a fish dish (have to admit it looks better than it tastes – but, overall, Alinea was one of a kind).
Hof van Cleve is up next – we had the same menu as you, but my French is so poor than I need some time to really grasp everything…
Best
Ingo
Alinea ? Great, i’m going there in november
) – one of my top priority in my wishlist (with WD50 – going there too, Mugaritz and el Poblet).
What are your next meals planned ?
I was yesterday at In de Wulf (again
), chef kobe advised me De Jonkman but also De Pastorale (2* near Brussels).
Next week, i’m in San Sebastian for a dinner at Berasategui – can’t wait for it.
In Belgium, have you tried L’Air du Temps (near Brussels too ?)
In Chicago do Moto and L2O, but avoid Trotter.
Next meals are the usual suspects around Barcelona (Roca, Pau, Fabes) and then Amador, Bau and Elverfeld in Germany. Maybe Copenhagen in winter…
I have read about your frequent visits to Kobe and L’Air du Temps – amazing do you only eat? Yes, Pastorale is also on the list… Have you heard about Beluga recently?
The good thing is: as soon as you don’t get lost on the way the tour of the best places to eat is never ending…
Last time I’ve heard about Beluga was one year ago from the chef of L’Air du Temps, was ok but nothing exceptional.
Copenhagen is a must indeed. I’ve done noma twice, Geranium and The Paul. Easily above the average level of similar rated french restaurants.
Thanks for the tips for Chicago. Chuck and Kobe told me the same : i think i’ll go for Moto and Alinea. I’m in NY a few days before : will try to book Per Se and WD-50.
Hi Ingo,
could you elaborate on your experiences at Alinea and Moto? We’ll be in Chicago in September and might only have time for 1 of them (I try to get into Schwa…). “Looks better than it tastes” doesn’t sound like a heartfelt recommendation for Alinea… (Regarding l2o: From what I have seen, I don’t think it is worth the money – I mean: 3 morels with 2 green asparagus heads and a parmesan marshmellow as a full dish? And a plain soufflee with nothing else as a dessert?). You can also PM me via the “best chefs” forum (brigante)
Hi km72,
my comment was about only this dish which was the weakest one if I remember correctly… Both Alinea and Moto are extraordinary experiences if you have to choose do Alinea…
I have not yet been to L2O but the reviews were quite favorable…
Will send you a more detailed PM.
Ciao Ingo,
I’m very happy to have come across your blog, and it looks like we share a few of the same blogger friends. Best of luck with this new venture. I’m very much looking forward to reading about your experiences, especially in Germany!
Best,
Aaron
Hi Aaron,
yes I know your nice blog and especially liked your Arpege thread… I will include you in my blogroll! The foodie scene is small;-)
And, forgot to say that some German stuff will come up soon, but Hof van Cleve is next…
Best
Ingo
Many thanks, Ingo. The foodie scene is small, indeed! There aren’t many people as crazy as us, I suppose
I’ve just added you to our blogroll as well. Happy eating!
- Aaron
…sitze einer bildhübschen Dame gegenüber und sende Dir herzliche Grüße… Na, erraten?
Lieben Gruß
Sibel
[...] About [...]
Finally had the time to start visiting. Thanks for the pointer from Chowhound!
Hey there, I do like your presentation a lot, i;m running a food side with wordpress as well … http://www.thefoodlab.net … if you don’t mind i’m having a couple of questions. First of all i wanna post links to other sides like cuisiners kitchen and your side and so on and i just don’t seem to get any progress in that done as well as getting more known. I would love to get your help
Thanks
Stefan Schafer
So, how was Noma ?? Hope you enjoyed it…
Cheers
Laurent
Laurent – greetings from René and Rasmus. Both noma and geranium are truly unque whereas noma is a bit more on the avantgarde side and pushes the borders of what is possible. Dishes at geranium tend to be more thought-through and somehow polished. noma had absolute heights whereas the level at geranium was excellent. Hard to say what I liked more – maybe noma as an overall experience. Both are definite must-gos!!!
Cheers
Ingo
dear ingo
i just came back from Oud Sluis, a perfect moment in nederlands, i love the meal we had in this restaurant.
You must try l’Arnsbourg ***near Strasbourg, the best french restaurant with Troisgros and Pic. L’arnsbourg is a great experience.
cheers
marie
Dear Marie,
I have been to L’Arnsbourg sveral times and found my last meal last April somehow a little inferior than the former ones, but still great. Need to revisit soon…
Cheers
Ingo
Hi Ingo, great mind thinks alike. Yeah, look in my blog and you will find most of the restaurants vou have been visited. Do You like to bandy something? Mail me. // der-fresser.de
Love the blog, super interesting and great reference point
Thanks, Brian, just looked at your blog – great stuff!