One of the loveliest restaurants I've been to in my travels across U.S. & Europe. The time of year…read moreis September, it's my first week here, hardly jacket weather and the estate is green with flowers a bloom. Unfortunately it was raining tonight so I couldn't wander around too far but I enjoyed the glistening of the water making everything look fresh.
I arrived to find the staff speaks very limited English, which was refreshing to finally find a place that I felt was really German. I know a few polite words but used "sign language" to get me though asking for a menu, asking for a recommendation, etc. My waitress knew just enough English to get my drift. She recommended Boeuf Bourguignon (BB) as a tasty choice and I was more than pleased with her recommendation and accepted. Then comes the wine. I asked for a pairing (but obviously not in those words) and then comes over the waiter/sommelier. He gave me three choices but not just in words...here's where the FIRST surprise and delight comes...he brought three unopened bottles, three wine glasses and poured about three sips of wine into each glass for a tasting.
Now picture, I have three bottles of wine and 3 tasting glasses on the table, then comes the bread basket and butter followed by a chef's portion appetizer of roast beef. Man...I could have made a meal right there and hadn't yet spent a dime!
As I savored my wine tastings, I looked around the warm dining room to see what appeared to be locals enjoying dinner. Each table with one lit tapered candle giving the room a pleasant glow.
I chose the Bordeaux. SECOND surprise and delight was the size of the pour...a large size wine glass and a pour equal to at least two in the U.S. You know how fancy restaurants only fill your glass a 1/3 of the way and you're left thinking...uh...where's the rest...NOT HERE. Your eyes pop when you see the amount of wine you are poured.
Wine & Bread on table...here comes my entree...I can't wait to sink my teeth into the beef!
My BB was delicately served formal style with two spoons. The beef placed then the carrot, then the potato, then the broccoli, then cauliflower, then a unique twist of fried noodle. My words can't describe the intense flavors coupled with the Bordeaux....succulent! Let the eating commence.
About mid meal I decide I better ask about dessert so that I know how much room to save! I say "Strudel" with my best German (yeah right, I'm Texan) accent. She gives me a menu (in German), I pronounce "I can't read German" using "sign language" to point to my eyes then the menu (I must look so stupid) then she patiently tries to explain my choices. One being something that sounds like she is saying "ball of grease". I tell her three times, I don't understand so she leaves to ask for help. While she is gone, I'm at the table trying to sound out her words and just keep softly repeating "ball of grease" to myself. So she comes back to tell me it is a German donut. Ah...perfect...I want the BALL OF GREASE (ala State Fair style?) but I ask for it to be held for at least 15 minutes so I can try to digest some of my food to make room. Uhggg.
I go for a short walk in the rain around the grounds to cool off and digest and return about 15 minutes later. I still have a full glass of wine so I sit and relax, not rushing them to bring ANY MORE FOOD! THIRD surprise was the delivery of a chef's sampling of five sweets in small paper cups. OMG....does it get any better? Now I'm 1/2 regretting ordering dessert. I try to savor each bite of yumminess with a sip of wine to enhance the flavor. I save a few pieces to bring home and then ask for my dessert.
Out comes the ball of grease...which is actually a medium dense cake ball paired with vanilla ice cream on top of fresh sautéed plums in plum sauce. I ate 1/2 the cake a few pieces of plums and called it QUITS. I am tapped out! I ask for the check.
FOURTH surprise. Each glass of wine was only 6 euro...so cheap. Total meal was 45 euro. (19 euro entree) Expensive but a darn great value and one of the best meals I've had in Europe. TIP: 10% tip is customary...different from the 20% I am used to giving and a difficult adjustment thus far.
Only one thing was missing...my man...he's home. It's 7pm here so it's still working hours for him in Texas. He is why I have such a fondness for BB.
Oh yeah, one more thing...He and I often share one order of BB. Here the portion size is sharing appropriate if you are not starving, this allows you room for all the extras.
I hope you enjoyed reading my review as much as I enjoyed Domäne Mechtildshausen. I will make this restaurant a go to spot for anyone that comes to visit me in Wiesbaden.
