Recap: For the Love of Food in Amsterdam

Recap: For the Love of Food in Amsterdam

I was recently in Amsterdam for a long weekend on a business trip, and although I was in a conference hall all day (albeit one with a view!), I was free to explore the city at night. Stuttgart has some great restaurants, but there's really something special about Dutch cuisine. They seem to have perfected small bites and international fusion, making Amsterdam a real foodie playground.

Luckily, I was able to visit some favorites that I blogged about in my last post, including Café de Prins, Arendsnest, and Fier. None failed to please me during this second time around, but I also got the chance to visit two new locations that took my love of Amsterdam to a new level...

Recap: Savoring American Cuisine in Seattle, Part 1

Recap: Savoring American Cuisine in Seattle, Part 1

We just got back from a whirlwind week in Seattle full of family, friends, and food. Though as my sister-in-law joked before we got there, we mostly based our plans around food. That probably explains why I'm still feeling full and why I'm really, really missing seafood right now. All that aside, we had a fabulous time visiting our family and getting to know a new city (and for me, a new coast!). 

Before I launch into our activities and meals, I want to mention a few general thoughts...

Upcoming Festivals and Events in November/December 2015

Upcoming Festivals and Events in November/December 2015

Christmastime is almost here again! It's a magical season in Germany when the Christmas stalls fill the streets and Glühwein appears in everyone's mugs (not really, but that would be nice). Living in a city as large as Stuttgart, there are many opportunities to attend not only Stuttgart's four-week market, but also many of the other smaller markets around the area. 

So get ready for the Christmas season and look forward to these events coming up in November and December...

Of Cabbages and Kings at the Filderkrautfest

Of Cabbages and Kings at the Filderkrautfest

One of the many things I love about Stuttgart is that there seems to be no shortage of fall celebrations around. And although the pumpkin festival is still my favorite, I had a great time celebrating a different kind of vegetable last weekend at the Filderkrautfest in Leinfelden-Echterdingen.

Even though the weather was rather gray last Sunday, there was a very festive atmosphere in Leinfelden. We were first greeted by a colorful row of vintage cars and tractors, followed by several carnival-style booths featuring classic games like darts and ring-toss, and even a rotating ride or two. I'm not sure if these carnival games are "native" to Germany, but I suspect there's a bit of American import going on given that most of the signs on the booths said things like "Welcome to Las Vegas!" and "The American Adventure!"...

Celebrating Local Craft Beer at Cast Brauerei's Hopfenfest

Celebrating Local Craft Beer at Cast Brauerei's Hopfenfest

Even though the Volksfest is over for this season, we're still celebrating the arrival of fall with craft beer and various smaller festivals. In fact, this past weekend we attended the Hopfenfest at Cast Brauerei. We first heard about this local brewery about a year ago from some of our foodie friends. I can't say that I know many people who've heard of them (they don't sell any of their beer in the grocery stores because they brew in such small batches), though they always seem to be sold out due to their popularity. 

According to their website, the name Cast comes from CA for California and ST for Stuttgart. Their logo -- a crest with a bear and horse -- similarly comes from the California and Stuttgart flags. Their speciality is  California-style ale, which seems to be rather rare in Germany, though I feel like I've seen similar craft brewers become more and more popular over the past few years. Cast itself was only established in 2010...

Craft Beer and Burgers at 87

Craft Beer and Burgers at 87

Before I start my review, I have to confess something: I don't like Pils. At least that is to say, I don't like any of the German Pils that I've had (nor any of the American ones for that matter). Sure, I understand the principal of having a neutral or light beer with your food to quench your thirst, but I prefer my alcoholic beverages to complement my food, not just wash it down.

Unfortunately, it seemed like when we moved to Germany a little over three years ago that Pils and Hefeweizen were the only two options. And while I'm still amazed that we've found longer beer lists on our trips abroad, I am pleased to say that Stuttgart, and to some extent Germany, finally seem to be getting on the craft beer wagon...

Celebrating Food and Friends at the Persian Restaurant

Celebrating Food and Friends at the Persian Restaurant

Although I've been to Kanalstraße many times to eat at QQ Sushi, I've somehow always missed the Persian Restaurant tucked next to QQ. Though the sign above their door is clear, the façade always seems lost among QQ's more ostentatious hanging lanterns, overflowing patio, potted plants, and Japanese paintings. In fact, I'd quite forgotten about the Persian Restaurant until a friend dined there a few weeks ago and raved about the food. And so when he chose to celebrate his birthday there, I couldn't refuse...

A Wine Weekend in the Pfalz

A Wine Weekend in the Pfalz

I was first introduced to the Pfalz wine region a couple of years ago by a foodie friend of mine. She took us to one of her favorite vineyards so that we could stock up her wine cellar. Since then, I've made it a point to order wines from the region when they're offered at restaurants or to look for the region on labels in the grocery store. And so when that same friend invited me back last weekend for a wine tasting, I was thrilled to accept...

Castles, Caves, and Trout...Oh My!

Castles, Caves, and Trout...Oh My!

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Germany? For some, it's the folk music and Trachten (traditional dress). For others, like me, it's the beer, pretzels, and sausages. But for many, it's the fairytale castles perched over breathtaking landscapes. I saw one such castle this past weekend and had a delicious meal that I'd like to share...