Friday, May 30, 2008

the Summit

Last night 4 of us went to "the Summit" at the Midwest Culinary Institute at "Cincinnati State. It opened about a week ago, to the public. It is in the main building, on their campus and is most easily reached off of lower Ludlow Ave. They can be contacted either by phone at 513-569-4980 or by email at thesummit@cincinnatistate.edu. The hours of operation are Thursday through Saturday 5:30 to 9 PM.
"The Summit" is a wonderful dinning room, staffed by students, and functioning as a "real time" training ground for the culinary students. There are two full time professionals: the Executive Chef-Matthew Winterrowd and the Dining Room Manager-Donna Schmitt.
Please keep in mind in reading my comments that this is student run and operated with only a slight amount of professional supervision.
They are able to serve wine and beer and there is a nice wine list, appropriately priced. The four of us shared a bottle of Pinto Nor, although as unusual Marilyn doesn't keep up her end.
For my first course I ordered the Soft Shell crab(1) appetizer. It is served with Black Beans, Avocado, Lime and Chilies. The crab was sauteed perfectly, however I found the chilies slightly overpowering for the light taste of crab. The presentation is very attractive. The others had Water crest salad, with dried figs, and a mixture of green and white Asparagus with a lovely light dressing. As usual I'll only comment on items I order, personally, but I must add that all four of us were pleased, through out, with our selections and their preparation.
My main course was Rack of Lamb served with Cous-Cous and a Mango Curry cleverly infused in a cooked egg yoke. The other accompaniment was cauliflower mixed with chopped almonds.
The rack was two small chops accompanied by several small pieces of lamb shank. The sauce was an interesting combination of meat, mint and curry flavor and went well with the lamb.
The others had Crisp Duck Breast, a main course portion of the "Soft Shells" and a main course portion of Risotto, about which the other male raved all evening.
We ended by splitting the Artisanal Cheese Course, which they request be ordered early so as to reach room temperature, by serving time and a Strawberry mouse served on a small baked torte with some freeze dried strawberries, a first for me.
Overall I would rate the evening a hugh success and my hat is off to the two professionals. My constructive comments to these two were that the service needs more attention and that my ribs needed more trimming and my main course could have been hotter. Not bad for a dinning room and kitchen where the staff will rotate constantly.
As mentioned before the presentation and the flavors were excellent and we will return.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Europe-Berlin

I am of German stock, 3 or 4 generations Americanized. "Hirschhorn" is the German for "Deer Antlers" and beside counting to ten, in German I probably know 40 or so other words, besides my restaurant German. It is no surprise that I really loved Berlin.
The train ride from Prague to Berlin, on a beautiful, warm Saturday ran for 100 miles along the Elbe River. Families were hiking, biking and picnicking and rowing on the river. It was an idyllic German scene.
We pulled into the new main train station, over 100 million, either Euros of Dollars, around 3 PM. The "barnhof", one of my 40 German words, is very modern and beautiful. It was a good beginning to our visit, to a reconstructed Berlin. Our cab driver, named Hirschberg, delivered us to the wrong hotel, also, in broken English, he told us he had a "Jewish" name but that his family has been Catholic for over 700 years. After moving on to the correct Hotel, "Louisa's" Place, 160 Kurfurstendamm, the long "shopping street", we sat down at the desk to register.( The Hotel is a 47 room, suite hotel that has been reconditioned and is very European, but modern)
A hand on my shoulder announced the arrival of our good friends from Holland, Sui Ling and Folkert Schukken, who had come to spend the first two days with us. It is always great to have someone who know the city and language, where ever one visits. Folkert informed us that his original time table for the evening had to be sped up and that we had 20 minutes to unpack and dress.
The Schukken's had arranged tickets to a candlelight dinner and concert at the Charlottenberg Palace. The palace was the summer home of the emperor's wife. We arrived at 6, after touring the grounds and were not seated till 6:30, when wine service began. Food did not arrive till almost 7 and so all the rush had been in vain, but we did have a good visit and a catch up time. All the people involved, servers, hosts, musicians etc were in late 18th century costumes. The dinner was OK, for that kind of event, chicken etc. but the concert, by 20 or so musicians was excellent.
No A/C and a hot night brought all the men out of their coats and the ladies out of their wraps. The people in costumes suffered as their forebear's had.
After dinner we caught a cab back to the hotel where we had coffee and drinks on the terrace of the restaurant, "Balthazar" attached to the hotel. Off to bed for a big full Sunday, coming up.
An interesting side note; during dinner Folkert's mobile rang and he informed us it was their Asparagus supplier at home calling to tell them he had picked the first "white asparagus" of the season. Some people have their priorities strait.
Next morning, after the usual large buffet Breakfast we set off by bus and walking to the Bauhaus Museum. It was terrific. The Bauhaus group, which was disbanded in 1933 by the Nazi's, another reason to hate that regime, was really a leader in design and planning.
After almost 2 hours we left and walked along the main canal, past the National New Museum, to Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Center. More beautiful, striking architecture. From there to the Holocaust Memorial, designed by Peter Eisenman, powerful in it's simplicity and the message it conveys, and on to the Brandenburg Gate. Down Unter den Linden to the Dressler Restaurant, 39 Unter den Linden. Excellent German meal and pastries. After a big breakfast I was only able to eat pigs knuckle and apple cake. M settled for her usual white asparagus and plum cake.
On to Check Point Charlie, where the whole "cold war" history is portrayed in pictures and text along several city blocks of walls, not the original "Berlin Wall".( German students, in American Army uniform pose, with visitors, for pictures. 1 Euro per shot)
Next to Gallery 206 a new, enclosed "art deco" shopping center, with a scrap metal sculpture in the center lobby. It being Sunday all the stores were closed. Back to the Hotel, via the U-Ban (underground), stop less that a block from our Hotel and a farewell to the Schukkens a little after 4 PM. A shower, this one had the best hardware I ran into in Europe, a rest and the S-Ban, above ground, to our restaurant.
Sunday night the restaurant had been recommended by a distant relative, who plays in the Chicago Symphony Orch. as his favorite place to eat in Berlin.
Reinhardt's, Paststrafe 28, was 7 stops away and a walk from the S-Ban. Marilyn made friends with a women, on the train, and when she found out where we were headed she said she lived in the same building and guided us thru construction and a park to the restaurant front door.
The section of the city is called Hackscher Market and has the Mayor's House (office), the largest Protestant Church and the Raddison-SAS Hotel.
It was a beautiful night and so we ate outside, not a bug dared to interfere.
I again found Bombay and along with a German beer the evening drinks wre handled. I had grilled Bar-B-Qued spare ribs. It was my challenge for my favorites, "Walts". The ribs were very plentiful and not at all fatty but the sauce was what you would pick up in an American super market. My potatoes were great and M ended up sharing mine instead of eating hers, which were served with her main course, white fish over creamed cucumbers. We skiped dessert, as the lunch cakes had been enough. Marilyn had her decaf while I finished my beer.
Monday, our hired "Jewish Guide", Sue Arns, picked us up at 9:30AM, we parted with her and her husband, who drives the van, at 2:30 PM after lunch again at Dressler, had to try other cakes.
The German Government and people are still living with the collective guilt for the Holocaust and Berlin is full of small and large memorials and remembrances. I could write pages but sufficed to say there are reminders everywhere. "Stumbling Stones" slightly raised plaques in streets, where Jews lived or worked, and sidewalks, lamp post signs with drawings and Nazi anti Jewish regulation. Temple plaques, where buildings once stood, warehouses which were deportation centers and on and on.
Around 3 we went to the Pergamine Museum, ancient temple, market place, Babylonian street and gate and other buildings of antiquity. It was a very warm day but we walked along "museum island' and finally to the S-Ban and back to our hotel. The S-Ban stop was two long blocks away from our Hotel.
Monday was Pentecost so many stores and restaurants were closed. Dinner was at "Leibniz-Klause" about 5 blocks from our hotel. Wonderful, typical German restaurant with dark wood, heavy tables and nice and efficient servers. I had a "wurst" platter, 5 different sausages with fried potatoes, and sauerkraut, while M had, by now, her usual Wiener schnitzel( she thought the best of the trip). Of course I had Bombay and Beer while M had her decaf and shared "angry" (sour) cherries over vanilla ice-cream.
Tuesday, our last day, was cooler and overcast, but still pleasant. Took the bus, train and feet to the Jewish Museum, designed by Daniel Liebinkind. The building and exhibits could take a full day or more, but we were running out of time. After a full morning and early afternoon we walked back, thru "Checkpoint Charlie to Quarter 206 and a quick visit to several shops.
Lunch at "Bocca di Bacco", Friedrich strafe 167, wonderful Italian food. M had "angle hair" with fresh tomatoes and Basil while I had "angle hair" with fresh clams. A glass of white wine finished one of our lighter lunches.
In the afternoon we went to the top of the Reich stag after about a half hour wait. A wonderful view of Berlin, then by bus to "Ka-Do-We" where I met my "Waterloo". The whole top floor of this large department store is a giant food market. You name it, they have a counter or stall selling it, and plenty of places to order prepared and not, with counters, tables and chairs. We behaved, although it was hard, and only shared a large slice of Apricot torte, as we had had a reasonable lunch. A bus back to the Hotel and after a shower and rest dinner at "Schildkrote", the Golden Turtle, a recommendation from someone here in the states. It was not disappointing. It is located at Kurfurstendamm 212, again about 6 blocks from our hotel. It is actually around the corner from the nearest number marked building.
The last meal was in another picturesque German Restaurant with the beer spigot open constantly and the barmaid either pouring or cleaning. I was talked into a hugh, unfortunately excellent, Pigs Knuckle, red cabbage and fried potatoes, while M again had schnitzle and white asparagus. Back to Balthazar for M's decaf and a speech, in German, from the head of a company entertaining about 40 employees.
Pack, bed and a 5:30 AM cab to the Airport. If you fly Air France from Berlin don't brake your neck getting to the airport, regardless of departure time, as the Air France people don't arrive before 6 AM. Fourteen hours later we were back in Cincinnati after 16 wonderful days.

Commercial

Last winter I was a guest cook at "Otto's", Main Street, Covington. It must have gone alright because I have been invited back.
Sunday morning, June 8, I will be in the kitchen adding my items to an already wonderful Brunch menu.
If you are so inclined drop by between 10 AM and 1:30 PM and join us for a mid-day meal.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Europe-Prague

Prague is a Gem. It is a lovely city and easy to navigate on foot, but a rabbit warren of small, one way streets which make cab rides expensive.
Our train arrived Mid-afternoon and after transfer to the Carlo IV, another Boscolo Hotel, this one 4 stars, we unpacked and worked, with the Concierge, on dinner reservations.
Our friend Aron, the concierge in Budapest had insisted that we go to "U Fleku" which we did the first night. He had made reservations from Budapest. By then we were known, to the people on the tour, as impossible "foodies" and all the nights in Prague some of the other couples tagged along. It made dinning a lot more fun.
Six of us went to " U Fleku" a true "beer hall" that opened in 1499 and has been run by the same family ever since. They have been brewing their own dark beer since the place opened and there is no discussion of what you will drink, even if like Marilyn you don't drink at all. The six of us were seated in one of the 4 dining rooms and our waiter understood and spoke passable restaurant English. As we entered we were made aware of the "om pah" musicians and the crowed engagement. The young women were dancing in the aisles while there male companions clapped and stomped appreciatively. Back to our dinner.
The first thing to appear was a waiter with a Hugh metal tray filled with mugs of beer. One was put down at everyone place. Next followed "schnapps" with the same routine. The waiters told Marilyn, who tried to refuse, that the drinks were good for her health. We had two orders of grilled sausages, which we divided. They come with loose portions of ketchup, dark mustard and horseradish sauce on the plate. Each plate is topped with a large Kaiser roll and is accompanied with a large basket of fresh, sliced rye bread. The waiter, smartly advised splitting three platters for our main course. One of roast duck, another of pork, including our first pigs knuckle, and an order of beef goulash with dumplings. All the meats are served with potatoes, red cabbage and sauerkraut.
For dessert the table shared apple strudel and fruit pancakes.
If you are foolish enough to finish one mug or one glass a full one takes it's place. The bill, including tip came to around $65/couple. It was a wonderful way to be introduced to Prague.
The next morning, somewhat bleary eyed and beer logged we boarded the bus for out "city tour.
Luckily it starts with drive up to the Prague Castle and from there it is all physically "down hill" and invigorating. (A comment on the weather: it was beautiful through out our 16 days with the exception of one afternoon in Budapest and one in Vienna. Lucky us.)
From the bottom of the hill we walked over the Charles Bridge, named for an Emperor and Saint, and thru the "Town Square" the "heart" of Prague. We saw the Cathedral, the Astronomical clock and several of the sides streets that emanate from this location. About 1 PM the tour ended and we started off on our own to visit several of the glass galleries who exhibit at SOFA, Chicago. The first recommended a place for lunch, Le Cafe Colonial, very good. We shared a green salad and while Marilyn had Spaghetti, bacon, garlic and cheese I had a thinning crepe with ham, mushrooms and a "no cal" cheese sauce. My definition only.
Back to the Gallery and some advice for a "Jewish Quarter" tour.
The story of how the Checks saved all the religious building and important sites during WWII is a long one. You'll have to read or discuss at you leisure. Prague has the most original religious buildings of anyplace we went. The women in the gallery sent us, literally, around the corner to an antique shop where a wonderful Italian women, not Jewish, gave us advice on how to proceed with the "Jewish section tour", the next day. She even consulted her friend also Italian, who sells accoustiguides for her advice. The consensus was that we should take a self guided tour the next day.
Continued our walking exploration of the Town square area, included "finer shops known to man" before heading back to the Hotel and our late afternoon rest.
The second night was dinner at "Kampa Park" the most elegant and expensive meal we had on our trip. Our children had recommended a restaurant under the Charles bridge, on the river. It was the consensus that this was the one. Our kids now swear that it wasn't. We were joined by a Mother and daughter who were wonderful dinner companions. The place and service is exquisite and the food was also very good. I had a scallop appetizer with cauliflower, raisins and nuts and Venison for my main course. Marilyn had a baked apple salad with date nut bread and cream cheese and greens. her main course was lamb with julienned vegetables. For desert the four of us shared a chocolate "surprise" and a lemon tart. With a bottle of wine, before dinner drinks and a full tip it came to somewhere around $130 each.
Friday May 9 we struck out, with another couple, to tour the "Jewish Quarter". It was great and included 6 Synagogues, a meeting hall, the old Jewish Cemetery and also a display of all the Jews, by name, sent to concentration camps, and children's pictures (drawings) from those camps.
A late lunch at Cafe Colonial, same as the day before, with our Mother and daughter dinning companions and back to wandering stores and shops on our way to the "Mucha" Museum, a famous early 20th Century "art deco" illustrator.
Then on to the hair salon, it had been well over a week for Marilyn. Back to the hotel for our showers and rest before dinner at the "Blue Duckling". Again we were joined by another couple who also were great companions. I had a beef tongue and plum jam appetizer while M had artichoke hearts and mushrooms. We both had Roast Duck with Brussels sprouts and potato pancakes and we all shared a chocolate cream dessert. The "Blue Ducking" besides having a wonderful wine list, 2 bottles for the 4 of us, had Bombay Gin, a real find.
Friday the 9th was the end of the formal tour so the next morning we said goodbye to our new found friends and caught the train for Berlin.

Cincinnati

We returned from Europe May 15. I have two more entrees to post on our European trip. We have been eating out, and some at home, since our return.
Some of the places I have hit the chow line have been: Via Vite, Porkopolis, The Silver Spring House, Bella Luna, Avril & Bleh Meat Mkt, Pigall's and Otto's. A real mix.
After I finish Prague and Berlin I will go back to giving my comments on places closer to home.
Have a good Memorial Day weekend.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Europe-Vienna

Vienna is Martin. Let me explain. Martin Schwarz and his family have been very good friends of our son's Charles for 20 years. He and Charles were interns at the "National Endowment for the Arts" and became very good friends. They exchange visit for big occasions or family events.
Martin and his family are native Viennese, and have lived there all their lives. Of course, when he found out we would be in Vienna for three days he took over. It was wonderful.
After we arrived at the Hilton Plaza Hotel Martin picked us up and we were off to Krems, a University and Danube town, 50 miles up the river. Martin is in charge of renovating a 12th Century Castle, actually the town house of the Mayor and tax collector for the region, and making it a tourist attraction.
We ate lunch at "Salzstad", owned by a friend of Martins. Martin described it as a "lite lunch", you be the judge. Two kinds of soup with semolina dumplings and sliced pancakes. White asparagus, it was the season, with cheese sauce, local wine and veal. Krems is also in the middle of a wine growing region with terraced hillsides climbing from the Danube.
After lunch we toured the "castle", Gozzo, and inspected the bright, beautiful fresco's which have been uncovered as the layers of wall have been striped away.
Then is was a drive thru the town and along the river to see the Castle where Richard the Lionhearted had been imprisoned during the crusades. We think the Liberty bell is old.
Martin picked us up for dinner at the Hotel and gave us a "quick tour" before dining at Cafe Huf. Sunday night is tricky in Vienna, as it is anywhere.
I had calf's liver while Marilyn had chicken. They had run out of Schnitzel. Good potatoes, they were excellent almost everywhere in Europe, a cucumber salad and red wine. For dessert we shared a terrific apricot crape. To my delight I found that I could order the same dish for breakfast, at the Hilton. This became standard for my mornings in Vienna.
Monday morning was the introduction "City tour" and after we met Martin for lunch in the neighbor where his office is located. Another "lite meal". I had fish with potato's, tomato's and onions while Marilyn's main course was ravioli with white asparagus. We started with a green salad and ended with Viennese "smarr" cake with jam and rhubarb.
That afternoon we attended to some personal business and when it started to rain, around 4 PM, we headed back to the hotel to rest and work up an appetite.
Martin again picked up us and we were joined by Jossy, his very attractive wife, who is the chief pediatric nurse at Vienna's largest hospital, she specializes in 0 to 3 year olds. We also were joined by Jessica their eldest daughter who is graduating from Krems this month. She is equally, attractive, if not more so, than her Mother.
We went to the 19th Disrict, where they live, and then on to "Placette" one of several restaurants specializing in boiled veal. All the boiled meats there, and I had beef tongue, are cooked in a broth of vegetables and meat stock. One starts by having a bowl of the broth and then moves on. With our white wine, Martin always starts with beer, we all sheared steak tartar, and then moved to the meat courses accompanied by a cabbage puree, creamed spinach and outstanding hash brown potato's with green onions and caraway seeds. Dessert, after red wine, was Chocolate souffle cake and soft maranges with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry sauce. By some miracle I only gained one pound on the whole trip.
The next day, on our own, we walked all over the heart of Vienna. We saw the Synagogue, the 12 hour clock, "Juden Platz" and the Holocaust memorial, the shopping street where we were blown away at an amazing linen store, plus all the top names in Europe and the US plus H&M and Zara. Went to Demel's pastry shop for Dobarshtorte and the to the Leopold Museum for a Klemp exhibit.
We were pick up, at the hotel, that evening by Martin and Jossy. It was off, again to one of Martin's owner friends outstanding Italian Restaurant in a back street in the heart of old Vienna near the Ghetto.
The restaurant "Dizimolo" is run by the outgoing owner, whose job, that evening was to stuff us. Drinks were Beer, Wine, and probably water for Marilyn, which is the most expensive drink in Europe, at least it seems so.
After a long discussion the meal was ordered. Tuna and Swordfish Cappuccino, Coquille St. Jacque, Gnocchi with truffle sauce and separately Pene Arribatti, the pasta course, Sea Bass and Bronzino and a small green salad and pommies souffle. Dessert was a long oval china boat with about 6 separate desserts; fresh fruit with whipped cream, tiramicu, chocolate "salami", gelati, cream brulee etc. Too much excellent food and we ate almost all.
A fond farewell to wonderful guides, hosts and friends. On to Prauge at 9 AM the next morning.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Oceanaire

I stooped in "The Oceanaire Seafood Room" to makes a reservation. It is the first time I have found the doors open.
They officially open May 31 for dinners, lunch in September.
If you want to contact them the following is the info:
Phone-513-381-8862
FAX- 513-381-2666
website-www.theoceanaire.com
No email yet for the general restaurant but I am sure there will be one shortly.
Looks pretty and not inexpensive.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Europe-Budapest

We left home Tuesday April 29 at 11 AM, Cincinnati time, 5 PM European,(Budapest),time. We arrived at the Budapest airport at 2 PM the next afternoon.
Checked into the "New York Palace Hotel" a 5 star operation, part of the Italian Boscolo chain. Our trip had been handled by Cindy Moore of Provident Travel, here in Cincinnati, and we had chosen a package the left a great amount of free time, yet handled land transportation and hotels.
After an hour with the Chief Concierge, Aron, discussing restaurants around the world, we had been upgraded, at no cost, to a beautiful room and had agreed on 3 dinner spots in Budapest and one in Prague, a week hence. What's important is important. Friends in high places.
We had decided to stay up until after dinner so after unpacking we scouted the neighborhood, of the hotel, and a few shops. Being very tired we decided on the coffee shop, informal restaurant, of the hotel. Dinner at 6 was Weiner Snitzel and wine for me; salad, Hungarian Soup and the first of many bottled waters, more expensive than wine or beer, for Marilyn. We ended dividing a wonderful piece of Apple Strudel. I will not comment on the meal, as I fell asleep twice during it, and after the second time went upstairs for a warm shower and 11 hours sleep.
The next morning our private guide met us at 9:30 after an elegant, extensive, breakfast. At each Hotel the Breakfast was included and they were large, varied, buffets plus many dishes cooked to order.
Our guide Nandor Gerei (75) was prompt and we viewed the Jewish sites including the Dohany Synagogue, Moorish and the second largest in the world, with Temple Emanuel in NYC being slightly larger. Also we visited the Jewish Museum, the Memorial Garden (Holocaust) an Orthodox school and Synagogue, several Kosher restaurants, more attractive and modern than we imagined, and the Walenberg memorial. Our tour lasted about 3 and a half hours and cost approximately $150.
We had lunch at an outside cafe, in the heart of downtown and walked slowly back to the Hotel.
Almost every afternoon we rested for one to two hours and usual ate between 7:30 and 8.
That night we had dinner at "Arnay (cafe or restaurant) Kavier." This dining place is in a basement on the Buda side of the Danube. I had Bombay, not always easy to find in Central Europe, a first course of 4 smoked or picked, fresh fish, main course of duck breast on various beans and drank red wine. Marilyn had "blini" and sole with various vegetables. Dessert was a Russian pound cake with rich hot chocolate sauce. Service was excellent and it was a great choice as an introduction to Central Europe.
By the next morning, May Day, the whole group, 18 , had assembled. They came from all parts of the USA and we in group of 2 or 4. We found everyone quite pleasant and we seem to all mix well. The planed half day tour took in all the famous sites and then got us back to the Hotel a little after noon. We started off walking to the main market, only to get slightly lost. I should add right here that everyone in Budapest was most helpful and friendly, whether the knew English or not. Our first taste of the remnants of a planed economy came into play when no one seemed to know whether the market was really open that day, a holiday, or not. We moved in another direction and walked to the Applied Arts Museum. A real conglomeration of everything from paintings and jewelry to rugs and furniture.
Dinner was at "Cafe Kor", my favorite. Very good, very informal, and full of young people. Our waiter had worked at the Boca Raton Hotel. We were seated next to 16 young, 25 to 35 year old, Hungarian men having a "stag party" for one of the group. It was great "eye candy" for Marilyn. We shared a salad which I followed with Bronzino (fish) while Marilyn had goulash and potatoes croquettes. That night I drank only white Hungarian wine. Dessert was crepes with hot chocolate sauce. It's beginning to be a pattern.
Arriving back at the Hotel we found some of the people from the tour in the bar and joined them for a nightcap.
Saturday May 2 we slept in and then went to the Fine Arts Museum in Hero's Square by public transportation. Second planed economy moment (left over from the Communists). No one could make a decision whether or not seniors had to pay on public transportation, and no one knew at what age it changed, if it was free. The rest of the time in Budapest I rode by showing my Ohio Drivers licence which no one recognized but waved me on.
After the museum we proceeded to to the Basilica area by tram and feet. stopping at the Opera house and asking directions back to cafe Kor from fast food operators, police and tourists vendors. We finally arrived at SAS St. and Cafe Kor. For lunch I had marvelous cherry soup and prawn and avocado salad while Marilyn had veal and dumplings with gravy. Then we walked to the Four Seasons Hotel, gorgeous, on the Danube. We walked across the river on the nearest bridge only to be caught in the middle by a wind and rain storm. We persevered to the other side, caught a bus, and with some help of non English speaking natives, a subway to within a block of our Hotel.
The last night we went by cab to Arany Hordo in the castle district. I had wonderful mushroom soup and a lamb shank and drank red wine. Marilyn dined on duck leg and red cabbage. For desert we shared at cherry and apple strudel. Marilyn always finishes with " decaffeinated" coffee if available. If not we search until we find it.
Back to bed and a nine AM train, next morning, to Vienna. Budapest is wonderful, cheaper and as friendly as any place we went.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

We're Back

We got back from our 16 day trip, to Central Europe, Wednesday, May 14, about 5 PM.
That night it was laundry, mail and "Jewish penicillin", chicken soup. The next couple of days were just laundry and mail.
In the next couple of days I'll put our notes, cards and thoughts together and start posting reports of where we went, and our impressions.
Our trip was basically confined to Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin although there were a couple of short side trips.
Anyway, I'll be back posting shortly and we'll see what comes out as I begin to type.