A friend from Munich insisted that we eat at Erik's when I was in town, talking it up as the best Italian restaurant in the area. A drive into the country took us to a charming village and to the restaurant itself.
The owner (Erik?) took care of us and explained the menu in both German and English. The menu is changed quite frequently and is never printed, just chalked up on a board for reference. When asked for recommendations, Erik told me that he works closely with the chef on the menu and that there's nothing on there that they don't both love.
After a full dinner there, it's not hard to believe that statement. I started with a sweet potato and lemon soup; while I'm not normally a fan of sweet potatoes, this soup was well balanced between the fullness of the tuber and the sharpness of the lemon, with just a bit of spice (paprika, perhaps?) cutting through it. Pasta served with fresh, white truffles followed the soup and the dish really highlighted the truffles and the wonderfully fresh pasta. A chocolate torte with fresh cream finished the meal.
Erik's bar is also excellent. I had a glass of Prosecco blended with white peaches as an apertif, followed by a glass of white wine that the owner recommended, and an excellent espresso. read more