Wow is this place out of the way. It's next to the old German train station (the steam line I am told) way at the end. because of the construction we had taken the long way around which I was sure was going to lead to a darkened alley with some street toughs ready to pounce on us. being the largest member of our group of three, I didn't want to be the one to suggest turning back.
When we got there the place was empty. With the exception of the kitchen staff and some guys in a side room playing cards. So naturally the warning bells start going off. What kind of place is empty at 8:30 at night? It was a Tuesday night but there should be someone here right?
Undeterred we sit down order up a bottle of Chianti. Read over the German menu, in my case have it read to me. I choose the salad with croutons and the Hackbraten, which is explained as "hashed steak, like the hamburger." I think a moment about getting the strip steak on the menu or maybe the rabbit, but steak is plain in Europe, and rabbit can be rather gamey and too hungry to take risks. I go with the the Hackbraten.
The salad comes out and I am expecting wilted greens and stale croutons. Bzzztt, wrong answer!! These were super tender greens with chopped egg, wonderfully fresh croutons and chopped pieces of bacon that must be what they fed to the gods on mount Olympus. They were crisp bits with just the slightest bit of fat not overly salty and warm, complementing the cool greens. What was most impressive about this was that the place was empty yet the salad didn't feel like it had been made hours ago, waiting for a customer. This was fresh and made to order no doubt. This salad was consumed with relish.
Then here comes the main plates. My female colleague had the salmon with risotto, my male colleague had the strip steak (more of a tenderloin), Then I see the plate the server places in front of me, and I see meatloaf. Meat loaf some spaetzle and veggies. I am astounded, meatloaf in Switzerland, I have given up all hope and thinking "What was on the room service menu back at the hotel?" I even said to my host a little derisively "We call this meat loaf." A wave a recognition swept across her face as she acknowledged the name.
Well shut my mouth, this was awesome meat loaf. you could taste the tomato, onion and plethora of spices in each bite. The brown gravy nicely complemented both the meatloaf and the spaetzle. the meat maintained it's texture but was not dry and grainy. The cut pieces stayed well formed even when stabbed with the fork to complement a forkful of spaetzle. This is the best meat loaf I have had in any restaurant ever. I paid serious complements to the chef and staff. I don't know how often I'll get back to Basel to try this place again, but it will be a must do on my list. I don't care if no one else ever shows up. read more
