Zum Wilden Mann, Loerrach

Gasthaus zum Wilden Mann
Basler Strasse 172, L?rrach, Germany
Tel: +49 7621 3739

Date of Visit: Saturday 18 Oct 2003 (Nick Steven)

We use Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo which – like most things – is impossible to buy in Basel. So we now have a routine of going over to Germany whenever we run out.

On a cold autumn day we cycled over to Loerrach along the Wiese – I must remember to buy some gloves for on the bike. Having found our shampoo, we decided on a spot of lunch before further sampling the mists and mellow fruitfulness to be found in Lange Erlen.

Zum Wilden Mann is a typical “Gutburgerlich Gasthaus” on the outside and at midday it was very busy. The restuarant is situated on the main square in Loerrach and definitely looked a popular spot. This must bode well I thought. We walked inside and through to a conservatory at the back which was covered and had a “terrace heater” so was nice and cosy.

In spite of the place being busy, the waitress was at our table very quickly and took our order for a coffee and hot chocolate. We chose lunch – both going for flammekuchen and side salad. It was possible to pick one of the main-course salads and have it as a “beilage” sized portion.

The salads were nice – dressing not overpowering – and the flammekuchen that came was BIG. It was cut into slices and had been arranged on a plate. The dough was nice and thick and the topping generous. Other people in the room received meals which also seemed to be quite generous.

Other things on the menu were fairly simple stuff like salads, tarts, hot sandwiches etc.

The waitress serving us was very attentive and checked everything was okay now and again though not to the point of being annoying.

I decided to go for a dessert with the coffee – a slice of Linzentorte. The other option was Apfelstreudel. The Linzentorte was nice though a perhaps little heavy after the flammekuchen.

Price was pretty good: 2 lots of flammekuchen, with salad plus coffees, half a litre of red wine and a slice of Linzentorte came to 46 Euros.

One to go back to.

Added: Sunday, October 19, 2003
Reviewer: Nick Steven
Score:

Zum Goldenen Fass

Restaurant: Zum Goldenen Fass
Address: Hammerstr. 108, 4057 Basel
Tel: 061 693 34 00

Last visit: 27/06/2003 (Nick Steven)

If you are a visitor to the Messe or you otherwise take a stroll in the darker reaches of Kleinbasel, you will eventually come across Zum Goldenen Fass.

The cuisine at ZGF is probably best described as Cucina Casalinga Italiana or Italian Housewife Cooking. The idea is they always try to use the freshest possible ingredients – and that is normally what is available at the time of year.

On our latest visit it was a hot summer day, and in spite of them not having a terrace, the windows had been kept open and the place was nice and airy. Normally the place is heaving with people but because of the weather, most of Basel was probably taking a dip in the Rhine and we more or less had the restaurant to ourselves.

On arrival we were offered an aperitif – we both took a prosecco which was nicely chilled. For a starter I took the marinaded prawns with rocket leaves and my wife had San Danielle ham with melon. My prawns were wonderful. Nice and flavoursome and the rocket was perfect – not a hint of limpness.

For main course, I had the vitello tonnato – slices of veal with a tunafish sauce. I have lived in Italy for a few years and this is one of the dishes I never got around to trying. It was really tasty. My wife had the bucatini which looked good too. The meal was washed down with a very pleasant 1999 Shiraz from Tuscany and we felt no great pain as a result.

For dessert I took a creme brulee which was just right. And to go with the coffee they have a fairly comprehensive list of grappe and amari.

My only complaint about the place is that they don’t open at the weekend – I’d love to go in for an extensive Italian “pranzo” one time but never mind – don’t let this put you off.

Pricewise, I would place ZGF as being about average – starters range from about SFr9 to 15; pasta from SFr 14 to 20; meat/fish dishes from SFr25-35.

Compared to other places in the same price category, they take a lot of care over the quality of food presented and the service.

This is a place that deserves to be supported.

Added: Friday, June 27, 2003
Reviewer: Nick Steven
Score:

Wilhelm Tell, Rest., Spalentor

Restaurant: Wilhelm Tell
Address: Spalenvorstadt 38
Tel: 061 261 15 38

Last visit 16th July 2003

It was after a Tuesday evening meeting of the baselexpats.com editorial committee that we were looking for a place to quench our thirsts. Our usual haunt – the excellent Turkish restaurant, the Marmaris – was closed for summer holidays so we wandered towards town via the Spalentor and decided upon the Wilhelm Tell.

The restaurant has a terrace at the back which is quite pleasant and we took seats there. The gum-chewing waitress regarded us with utter contempt – how dare we come and drink beer, eat food and spend money.

I ordered the Senneroesti (Roesti with bacon, cheese and a fried egg on top) for Fr. 18.- and Pat a Wurstsalad. We both had the excellent Feldschlosschen beer.

As our cutlery and place-mats arrived, it started to rain so we moved our things inside. The interior is very much like any of the better Basler Beizli. Nigel arrived shortly after and ordered a green salad starter (Fr. 7.-) and the Senne Roesti.

The food was actually very good – big portions, and the gentleman serving inside (the chef and probably proprietor) infinitely more welcoming than the waitress – so they’re not all miserable in there.

For 3 large Feldschloesschli, a st?nge and a Senneroesti I parted with SFr38 – not bad. The waitress looked peeved when I didn’t give her a tip – though I didn’t have a great deal of cause to leave one. Chewing gum when one is supposed to be serving is exceptionally impolite, and I found this lady to be rude and surly throughout.

If I ever go back, I will check to see who is serving first.
Added: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Reviewer: Nick Steven
Score:

Unser Bier Brauerei Bar

Laufenstrasse 16, 4002 Basel
Tel: 061 338 83 83

Last visit: Friday, 4th July 2003

Often in British circles, the ability to organise a drinks party in a brewery is used as a measure of one’s organisational skills.

It was with this in mind that I chose Unser Bier as the venue for an after-works drink with colleagues.

Unser Bier was set up by a group of guys who started out making home-brew for a hobby – their brewing equipment being one large spaghetti pan. In 1997, they turned their hobby into a profession.

Unser Bier has many outlets around Basel, but the brewery itself has a bar in among all the brewing vats where one can go and sample the wares.

The decor is fairly basic – a few long tables and chairs. They also have a terrace outside in the summer. This is a place for drinking and enjoying beer.

I had the weizen and the dunkels – both respectable brews though I preferred the dunkels.

They do have a small selection of bar-snack type food. My colleagues and I went for garlic bread and brezels. There are also various sausages, potato salad, warm ham and salads available. I have tried these on another occasion and they are all just adequate for soaking up the alcohol.

Beer was about SFr5.50 for a half-litre and the garlic bread was no more than about SFr7 per portion. A plate with sausages, salad and potato salad will set you back less than SFr20.

The service was prompt and friendly – the former being important in a brewery in my opinion.

Added: Sunday, July 06, 2003
Reviewer: Nick Steven
Score:
Related web link: Unser Bier Official Website

Teufelhof – Weinstube

Weinstube im Teufelhof
Leonhardsgraben 49 / Heuberg 30
Basel
Tel: 061 262 10 10

Reviewed 8th February 2005

It’s always nice to be taken out to lunch. It often means going somewhere you haven’t been before, and trying out some new dishes too. Such was the case when we went to the Teufelhof, the Art Hotel/Restaurant with two faces: one towards Leonhardsgraben, and the other facing Heuberg and the old town.

We entered from Leonhardsgraben, but ended up going all the way through to the Heuberg side where the Weinstube offers a comfortable and totally non-smoking haven for lunchtime diners. It’s light and airy, and you can really feel the old world charm of the place too. The architect did a good job here I thought, but what about the chef?

I needn’t have worried. I picked the day’s special: home made pasta with herbs, a beautifully cooked piece of veal in a pepper sauce and a crisp green salad in just the right quantities. This made the lunch quite special. The price was very digestible too – the Teufelhof provides a special each day for just Fr. 25.- and judging from our experience, will be worth every penny. For dessert I tried a wonderfully fruity mousse with all the flavours of many fruits but without too much sugar to spoil the effect.

For lunchtime eating, I can think of no better place in Basel. Why? Good food, good service, good prices – and no smoke! Try it. You won’t be disappointed.

Added: Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Reviewer: Nigel MacGeorge
Score:
Related web link: Hotel Teufelhof

Taj Mahal: Aesch to Ashes?

Reviewed 2nd July 2003
Hmm. Interesting, where to put you, as the sorting hat from Hogwarts said…. A great evening definitely, although this was probably down to the great group of people gathered together. We would have had a great time anywhere. Take 2 Swiss, 1 Danish Dentist, 1 Dutch-esse, 1 Southern Belle, 7.5 Britons and half a German… add some spice and there you have one successful curry club!

After the hottest June since records began in 1864, July 1st brought a cold front that whilst very pleasant stopped us from eating outside on the extensive terrace with a view across the main Reinach – Aesch road over the wheat fields towards Ettingen.

Still, the inside is rather pleasantly decorated in a modern minimalist Mogul style. The music was definitely too loud. This not only stopped us from hearing each other and from enjoying the generally good conversation, it also stopped the waiter getting our orders right. OK, none of them seemed to be the brightest spark in the fire, but the loud music must have caused them problems.

As far as food delivery was concerned, that was a bit of a lottery but only one dish was actually incorrect. That was soon put right. Unfortunately the bill at the end caused some problems… big time!

Paying proved the biggest letdown of the evening. It was just so inefficient. It took an hour to pay from the first person to leave to the last of us to run for the tram. Without asking whether we were paying seperately or together they created one bill for everyone – in 99% of restaurants in basel this would be no problem, but you should have seen the landlords face…. aghast doesn’t cover it adequately.

We soon found out why – his waiters had no idea what to do, and had obviously made some mistakes in compiling the list as after this hour of struggle they were claiming that because they had not collected what they thought they should have the last people to pay should pay the difference! Poor Nick, I thought he was never going to get out of the place. One thing is sure, you won’t be getting him back in in a hurry!

If I were to give advice to this restaurant I would say turn down the music, and hire waiters who can add up and understand what people are saying to them. The cook was really good, as were the ingredients. And ask groups at the beginning if they will be paying seperately or together – this is after all the restaurants legal responsibility.

So, at the end of the day, maybe it wasn’t Aesch to ashes, more a bitter aftertaste.

The scores on the doors:

Environment: 7 out of 10
Food: 8
Service: 6.5
Prices: 6.5

Comments:
Environment: Music too loud and not very Indian; nice view over wheat field from window; located in an industrial park – perhaps a little sterile.

Food: Lamb Bhuna (Fr. 29.50) very good; heat perfect in the Chicken Jalfrezi (Fr. 29.50); no pickles with the (rather thick) poppadoms (Fr. 5.50); not much curry in the (Fr. 28.50) Biriani (but it should be mild); excellent Chicken Jalfrezi; great Naan (Fr. 5.50 – but watch they don’t charge you the Fr. 6.50 for the dearer Garlic Naan you didn’t have).

Service: Intellectually challenged; quick to bring drinks, take orders and cook food; staff need to listen better; waiter could not work his calculator or add up properly!

Prices: Nothing free; Feldschlossli 50cl beer only Fr. 4.50; food prices average for Basel, high for out of town. Waiter could not cope with a large group paying seperately. The wrong (and more expensive) sort of Naans were on the bill, plus when collecting peoples money the waiter said we did not need to pay for any of the extra rice, yet it still showed up on the bill.

Added: Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Reviewer: Curry Club
Score:

Bierstube Zum Stadtkeller, Fischmarkt, Basel

Reviewed 10th February 2004

You’ve probably been past this interesting little place many times on your way to somewhere else without realising. Its actually right on the Fishmarkt tram stop on the way from Gross to Klein Basel, just opposite the CoOp store and a stone’s throw from the Rhein.

It looks very pretty from the outside, and has a very good atmosphere inside too. It actually has the warmth of an English Country Pub, with a Swiss flavour. The walls are adorned with all kinds of Fasnachts mementoes, blaggedes and the like.

It’s certainly worth popping in – the food is pretty good. It used to be famous for having 15 different Roestis but has fewer now.

I started with an excellent Green Salad for Fr. 8.80 followed by a Landroesti – ham, cheese and a fried egg on top of a pan of Roesti. There was so much topping that the Roesti was actually invisible! It came in a small skillet straight out of the oven, piping hot. Very tasty, and for only Fr. 20.80 not bad value either. Possibly not quite as good as the Rest Willem Tell’s Senneroesti, but that isn’t always on the menu.

My partner chose the Clochard-Roesti, basically loads of sliced Cervelat sausage (a Kloepfer if you’re from Basel) served on top of a bed of Roesti. There really was a lot of sausage! Again the Roesti itself was invisible, but tasty and filling. Another Fr. 20.80 dish of value.

Drinks were not too expensive, probably about average for Basel with a Warteck Grosses costing Fr. 6.50 (no Franziskaner Weizenbier unfortunately!) and 3 dl Rhaezuenser mineral water for Fr. 3.90. The service was really good. Superb in fact. Cheerful, fast, helpful, discreet, warm and welcoming.

But that’s the kind of place it is. Don’t forget to keep an eye open for the Christmas decorations, which usually include a model railway that traverses the room! But until then, you won’t feel a stranger there. They always have something to smile about…
Added: Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Reviewer: Nigel MacGeorge
Score:

Spalenring, Rest.

Spalenring 163
4055 Basel
Tel: 061 283 6363

Reviewed 21st June 2004

If you are wondering where the French Restaurant, Chez Martig, went to after being open for only a year or so, the owner died after setting it up as his life-long dream. As a consequence of this the Restaurant had no expense spared in the decor and fitments departments, with quality materials used throughout.

The new owners have decided to run the place as a standard Swiss restaurant, but have inherited the wonderful ambience. As a consequence there is a unique feel to this place, not all to do with the decor as they also serve Mexican dishes. Perhaps not so standard Swiss after all!

Service was quick and friendly, with a very attentive waiter even after 10pm (their kitchen is open until 11pm). A Grosses Lager (a good Feldschlosschen) cost Fr. 5.50 and a 4dl mineral water Fr. 3.60.

I ordered a salad to start, and a salad for main course (it was a hot day!) and this confused them as they put the two together and forgot to charge me for it! Most of the Swiss food was reasonably priced, we paid Fr. 15.50 and Fr. 18.50 for a tasty main meal salad. Desert of Moevenpick ice cream was Fr. 3.10 per Kugel, so reasonnable value all round. Of course, it would have been more expensive if they had got the order right, so do make sure you check everything should you visit.
Added: Monday, June 21, 2004
Reviewer: Nigel MacGeorge
Score:

Schnabel, Rest.

Trillengaesslein 2
4051 Basel
061 261 4909

Reviewed 31st October 2004

Walking up from Ruemelinsplatz towards the Spalentor you will possibly walk past the Rest. Schnabel, or beak. It’s certainly easy to miss, but once inside, the wood panelled walls give it a quality feel. Well, they had to match the prices somehow!

Stopping off for a coffee after Saturday shopping, and prior to enjoying the Herbstmesse evening celebrations, my first impressions were of a warm and welcoming interior with a lot of quality. Unfortunately the costs were on the high side.

A Capuccino was Fr. 5.50 and an espresso Fr. 4.50, prices which are on the high side, particularly when the coffee quality is not as good as it could have been. They also do foods, mostly Swiss, but with a few welcome variations. Food prices were not unlike those in the Loewenzorn which is literally just around the corner, but as we were trying to see the Herbstmesse, we didn’t eat here.

Overall, although it has a lot going for it, I believe they need to work a little harder to compete with their neighbour. Service was fine, but value for money could be seriously improved.

Added: Sunday, October 31, 2004
Reviewer: Nigel MacGeorge
Score:

Schmiedenhof, Cafe, Ruemelinsplatz, Basel

Reviewed 16th February 2004

After writing the review of the Rest. Schluessel last week I realised going there after the shops shut on a Saturday was becoming a habit – so I looked around for somewhere different – and Basel has lots of nice surprises in its many interesting side streets.

Having been quite put off by the totally un-cosy atmosphere of the non-smoking part of Fumare-Non Fumare, as well as by the very smoky atmosphere of the main part which seemed to have become buggy city with lots of children being inculcated into the smoking addiction before they were three, I walked further down towards Marktplatz.

On the left there is a little passageway that leads via a small square eventually to Ruemelinsplatz. The square is very pleasant, very light and even the statue of one of Basel’s famous benefactors, Isaac Iselin, has a welcoming feel to it. In the corner of the platz, just behind the pretty little water fountain, lies the Cafe Shmiedenhof.

Inside it is surprisingly spacious. The chairs are comfortable, the tables nice and big, and when we went it was relatively smoke free. I had my usual Capuccino, which was nice and hot – obviously they had not just added cold milk or cream to half a cup of coffee as some places do. At Fr. 3.90 the price was right as well! Best value so far in central Basel by quite a long way. The Espresso was the same price, while the delicious home made apple pie for Fr.4.80 was definitely worth it. It certainly puts the Schluessel to shame!

Definitely worth visiting. And in the summer when the tables are out in the square it will be even better.

Added: Monday, February 16, 2004
Reviewer: Nigel MacGeorge
Score: