Adler-Stube, Muenstertal, Germany

Muenster 59
79244 Muenstertal
Schwarzwald,
Germany
Tel.: +39 (0)7636 234

Reviewed 13th February 2004

Wanting to go for a meal one Thursday and not sure about where to go a friend offered to drive us over to Germany to one of the places not easily accessed via public transport. Thus it was that after about a half hour of driving we were in the Black Forest village of Muenstertal and we chanced upon the Adler-Stube which is a hotel-restaurant. We weren’t sure at first as the prices on the menu outside were a little higher than normal for the area but it was getting late and we didn’t want to drive anymore.

The place was not busy – a large family group was at long table in the back – and it didn’t take long for the waitress to find the three of us a nice big table in a pleasant corner. We ordered drinks – I had a hefeweizen from a local brewery (I can’t remember the name) which was excellent (the first one of the day often is).

All three of us chose the Feldsalat (Nuesslisalat to Baslers) with croutons and bacon. This was really good – the Nussli was so fresh and crunchy we were convinced that the chef had gone out into the garden and picked it. The dressing was nice and simple – not cloying like it can be in many Basel restaurants.

For main course, my wife and I had the Lammshohruckenfilet. This turned out to be an extremely large piece of meat which the waitress carved for us at the table and put onto plates for us. Some was left in the pan on the side of the table for a further helping. With the lamb came potatoes gratin style and a ratatouille. The lamb was excellent – very tender. My wife thought that the gratin sauce on the potatoes was a little floury but I thought they were fine. Our other companion had the schweinerueckensteak which came with a mushroom sauce, a mountain of home-made spaetzli and vegetables. The pork steak looked nice and I had been tempted by that when seeing it on the menu.

The wine menu was quite extensive – both open and bottled wines. We had a few of the local reds from the open selection – that is the nice part about being able to order wine a couple of decilitres at a time; i.e. being able to try a couple of different wines without being committed to drinking a whole bottle. I have always been dismissive of red wines that come from north of the Alps but all three of the wines we had were nice, light and pleasing to the palate. Altogether we had Affentaler, Oberbergener and Ballrechter.

The service was really great – the waitress had all the silver-service etiquette thing off to a tee. She was also really pleasant and friendly. This was so refreshing compared to some of the po-faced individuals that serve you in Basel establishments. Indeed I would say that the level of service was better than of some of the more expensive places in Basel.

The bill when it came was a pleasant surprise. After all that food, plus drinks and coffee, the three of us paid just under 120 Euros (SFr190). I have paid a lot more for lower quality in Basel in the past. My half litre of hefeweizen was 3 Euros (SFr4.75) and 2dl wine was about the same price. Our main courses were “specials” and were around the 18 Euros (SFr28) but the average price was closer to 15 Euros (SFr24). Similar to Basel prices for the food but a lot bigger portions and better cooked. The drinks were definitely a lot cheaper.

If you’re taking the convertible for a spin in the Schwarzwald, this is one place to try.

Added: Friday, February 13, 2004
Reviewer: Nick Steven
Score:
Related web link: Restaurant Website