Archive for the ‘German food’ Category

In Search of Schnitzel!

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

We have an interesting guest blog post today.

We got an email from W.J. Shilts, of Westminster, MD. He said… well, let me let him tell you himself.

“My wife and I spent 6 nights in Leavenworth in September and devoted ourselves to reviewing all the schnitzel we could find. Please consider posting our attached review on the Accidental Bavarian. We devoted a lot of energy (oh, what a sacrifice) sampling Leavenworth’s finest offerings and would hate for that effort to go to waste!”

So without further ado, here is their review.

Where to find the Best Schnitzel in Leavenworth, Washington

W.J. Shilts
October, 2013

Leavenworth, Washington is the center of all things Bavarian in the western United States (and arguably, the whole of the USA). But, for the occasional traveler with only a day or two in town, choosing the quintessential “German” restaurant can be daunting with so many choices in town. My wife and I recently spent 7 days and 6 nights in Leavenworth sampling our way through mounds of schnitzel, red cabbage, spatzle, and sauerkraut to come up with our best recommendations on where to sate your craving for a taste of Germany in Leavenworth.

To be fair, we didn’t try everything on the menu. We focused on Wiener Schnitzel. Why…because Wiener Schnitzel is as basic as it gets. Usually made of pork or veal, it’s pounded, then breaded, fried (nobody said this was healthy), and usually served naked. Most other schnitzels are built on this basic schnitzel by adding various sauces or toppings (Jaeger, Ziguener, Rahm, Champignon, etc.). If you make a good Wiener Schnitzel you’ll probably make a good any other kind of schnitzel.

Keep in mind this review is about schnitzel, not all the other German food you may love. The ratings don’t take into account furnishings, oompah music, or quality of the bratwurst. We do comment on some of these factors however, and share our favorite German restaurants in Leavenworth (regardless of their schnitzel rating).

Restaurant Weiner Schnitzel
Rating
Comments
Café Mozart gold-stargold-stargold-stargold-stargold-star Superb wiener schnitzel, available in veal, pork, or chicken, and uber tender. Fine German dining (rather than a gasthaus atmosphere) with all the trimmings.
King Ludwig’s gold-stargold-stargold-stargold-star Good schnitzel, veal or pork, but smaller portions. Very Bavarian menu but much more of a beer hall atmosphere, oriented to tourist clientele. Few extras (such as, no soup or wurst sampler on the menu).
Andreas Keller gold-stargold-stargold-star The ultimate traditional Gasthaus experience in Leavenworth! But alas, the wiener schnitzel was a disappointment… deep fried… to a curled at the edges, cooked to a crisp, throwable object. But their grilled Swiss jaeger schnitzel was wonderful… don’t understand the disparity. Other than the wiener schnitzel, great fun, authentic German eating.
Baren Haus gold-stargold-stargold-star Pork schnitzel (no veal available) was breaded and pan fried but was way too crispy to enjoy. It had the look but was just too crunchy. And aside from the wait person being clad in a dirndl, not much German atmosphere.
Café Christa gold-stargold-star Although the sign out front purported Café was under new management, the veal wiener schnitzel was still the worst we had in Leavenworth. It was tough and gristly. On the other hand, the red cabbage was great… but not worth enduring the schnitzel.

 

Our bottom line…If you’re looking for a superb schnitzel, and impeccable German dining, go to Café Mozart. If you’re looking for the best traditional German ambiance… fun, music, atmosphere, and food (not counting the Wiener Schnitzel)… go to Andreas Keller.

(And lest you think we’re not qualified to judge schnitzel, we’re from some pretty long German roots (Hessian soldiers), we lived in Germany for three years, and I have traveled to Germany twenty times in the last decade alone. We can spot a good schnitzel at a hundred paces!)

 

We want to thank the Shilts’ for their guest blog. If anyone else has reviews or a guest blog, please send them to us for consideration.

Favorite food in Leavenworth

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Rouladen with Spaetzle and Rotkraut at King Ludwig’s

One of our favorite things to do in Leavenworth is eat. We start talking about our favorite places to eat long before we go and about new places we want to try before we arrive. Of course we have several old favorites, so trying new places is always a challenge. On our most recent trip we tried several new places. Here are some of our favorites. Perhaps we’ll inspire you to try something new or revisit an old favorite.

We love German food in Leavenworth. You can get sausage samplers in almost any restaurants. The sausage bites at Rudloofs Pizza are good, made with locally made sausages and housemade sauerkraut. This trip we tried two German entrees at King Ludwig’s.

King Ludwig’s Kassler Rippchen-Smoked Pork chop with seasoned potatoes, rotkraut and sauerkraut

We especially enjoy the German food and Bavarian atmosphere of Andreas Keller. The sausage sampler is very good here. You’ll find them downstairs. There is an elevator for accessibility.

Andreas Keller-German Food

Prime Rib special at JJ Hills Fresh Grill

We spent Christmas Eve dining at JJ Hills Fresh Grill.

London Broil with creamy garlic mashed potatoes at JJ Hills

Our Christmas Day dinner was at Kingfisher Lodge at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort where the very friendly and attentive staff served up extensive salad and dessert bars, wild mushroom soup, mushroom ravioli, tender sliced steak with onions and au jus, and poached fish.

Olive bar at Kingfisher Lodge, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort

Dessert Buffet at Kingfisher Lodge

We always stop at SOUTH. Its great fresh Mexican menu is a nice break from brats and kraut.

SOUTH Fresh Mexican

Tortilla Chips with Salsas: Mole, Fresca, Guacamole

Enchilada Mole at SOUTH

SOUTH has delicious salsas and guacamole

Tacos al Pastor at SOUTH is Renae’s favorite taco

For fresh fudge and yummy baked treats we always stop in at Fudge Hut. Our favorite fudge flavors include amaretto, pistachio, maple, rum raisin, and peanut butter and chocolate. You can also get your espresso fix there, too.

Twice baked almond croissant from Bakery Creations

Cravings

Friday, September 25th, 2009

I awoke this morning thinking about all of the fun visitors will be having this weekend in Leavenworth at the 45th Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival. All of the fun and all of the delicious food! Here is a list of our favorites: fudge in a multitude of flavors from the Fudge Hut (some of our favorites: pistachio nut, amaretto, maple nut, rum raisin, salty nut, caramel, etc., etc., etc!); fresh Tex Mex at South; Pistachio Gelato at Via Dolce; the delicious breakfast buffet that includes dense German brown bread at Enzian Inn; soft Bavarian style pretzels and sausage sampler at Andreas Keller; sauerkraut (the scent of warm sauerkraut lingers in the air all over Leavenworth!).

I could go on and on. Much of the fun of traveling to Leavenworth is the opportunity to try new and different flavors as well as visiting old haunts to indulge in familiar favorites.

We’d love to hear about your cravings. What’s the best meal you ever ate while traveling either in Leavenworth or elsewhere? Is there a flavor, scent or server you’d love to re-experience once again?