Zum Franziskaner and Munich

When you read this I hope to be walking on a mountain road, white powder snow sparkling in the sun, the smell of pine trees and burning wood in the air.

I hope you will be sitting cozily with your family and loved ones, enjoying the holiday season and basking in their affection.

While you relax (unless you are hosting and in that case you will probably be stressing just about now) I thought I would show you some more snippets from our trip to Germany.

After walking around the center of Munich and several Christmas markets (and buying the most decadent snack ever, crackly pig rind), we needed to refuel.

Crackly pork rind: they must be taught young!

We stopped at the restaurant zum Franziskaner, famous for serving Bavarian and German classics, for a bite to eat. The place is an endless maze of rooms, large and small, each decorated with a unique style, from the grand turn-of-the-century-like salon to the the cozy wood panelled Bavarian stubes, the winter garden and the student mass. It is a large, crowded place. The service is efficient, the ingredients are seasonal and the recipes are nicely executed. Baskets of pretzels and large glasses of beer are aplenty, as are brimming bowls of warm potato salad, red cabbage and mustard.

A much needed cold beer

Warm goose liver salad

Steak tartare (we asked them to mix it for us)

Pork with crunchy pigskin and bread Knoedel

Traditional potato salad, cucumber potato salad and red cabbage

I wish you all very Happy Holidays and a healthy, wonderful 2012!

Just everyone was in town to do Christmas shopping!