Bacchus Culinary Adventures

Germany'Alsace-Lorraine Tour May 2012

2012-01-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

A new tour leaving in May to visit southwestern Germany and Alsace Lorraine with our friends from Solvang. Lots of good food, wine and adventures! Look for future posts on intinery and future trips.
Brigitte

A whirlwind tour!

2012-01-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

Aquaba, Jordan January 12/2012
Awaiting our departure to Nweiba, Egypt on a big ferry. Got here early with our guide Steve, but the early ferry was cancelled due to strong winds, so here we go. Alessia is not thrilled about ferry rides, but she’s a trooper. Everyone in Jordan is extremely friendly and helpful and most people speak at least some English.
We spent the day ion the ancient city of Petra yesterday, exploring ancient ruins with another guide. We also hiked up 2000 steps to get to the high ministry, a sight to behold. Along the way, Bedouin woman and their children try to sell their wares and tea, “happy hour” all day long. Below, the men follow tourists around wanting them to trek on their donkeys and camels. The camels look sort of mean and the donkeys get beaten a lot, so we opt to walk the way, except for the last 800 meters when Alessia just had to ride a horse on the last stretch up. Back at the hotel, just outside the visitor center’s gate, we devour a plate of Mezza, delicious Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Tabouleh Salad and bread, to be followed by a bowl of creamy Moevenpick Ice Cream. It had been cold and windy for most of the day, so a hot bath was in order. Later in the evening our guide took us to the Petra Kitchen where we prepared a delicious Jordanian dinner under the guidance of a local chef. This being the slower season, we were the only two there, warmly greeted, outfitted with an apron, offered beverages and put to work immediately. Lots of small cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs to be chopped. First course consisted of a warming soup made with chicken stock, small wheat kernels, seasoning and onions, followed by my favorite baba Ganoush, chopped tomato, onion, garlic, herbs, chili pepper, spices and smashed, cooked eggplant. Alessia prepared the Tahina Salad, with similar ingredients and the sesame paste added. The hosts favorite dish is roasted tomatoes with pine nuts to which he added a sauce made of cooked and pureed fava beans with a bit of the pungent Jordanian Olive Oil on top. All this accompanied by the traditional flat bread. The main course was a pan of cut uo chicken that had been cooked, sliced tomatoes and potatoes, onions and seasoning, baked in the oven, again delicious. Arabic food is fresh and healthy, in fact, a traditional Jordanian breakfast consists of beans with a bit of Olive Oil. Pastries are small and not too heavy, we were treated to a small puff pastry with a creamy, cheesy filling, topped with coconut, of course the mint tea is ever present and helpful with digestion, What a fun way to experience local food.
Quite different than our food experiences in Paris, just a few days before. Expecting cold and more qiet days there, we did get the cold, but Paris was overrun with tourists. We opted to take the double decker bus around, 26 euros per person for two days, a good deal. We rode it in the day, in the afternoon and in the evening. We weren’t willing to stand in the two hour line to get up the Eiffel Tower, but we were there to witness as the lights came on, a glorious site. Almost as glorious to watch were some of the cute French police officers at the bottom of the tower. I managed to get a picture of Alessia and her favorite.
Two and a half days is not much time in Paris, we spend the first evening at the Louvre with hundreds of other people. The next day jetlag finally caught up with us and we woke up at 2 pm, Oh well missed breakfast. After touring we wanted to go to a bistro next to the hotel which was recommended by a friend, but unfortunately nit was closed. So after a delicious salmon and less so duck dinner next door, we headed back to our tiny little room to plan the next day. One should know that many of the top restaurants in Paris close on the weekend and stores are closed on Sundays. After calling a dozen or so of recommended restaurants we settled for “Ma Bourgogne” at a table the size of a postage stamp. Fries, or pommes frites in French, are a staple bostro food they come with everything…..that’s why they call them French Fries! Alessia’s lamb chops were tasty but had lots of fat on them, my steak could have used a bit of marbeling. Still not having had a “great meal” we decided the next day to treat ourselves to lunch at the Four Seasons. When we arrived at 2 pm, we were told we could have a reservation at 3:30. After checking out the menu and realizing that we would have to shell out 86 euros (about $110) and similar prices for lunch items, we opted to head for Café “Angelina’s” famous hot chocolate instead. The line was to the door as we arrived mid-afternoon, once seated we decided to order a vegetable quiche and a Chicken Supreme before eyeing the beautiful pastries made on the premises. I loved my quiche, it was a sheet of flaky puff pastry with three perfectly molded scoups of vegetable mousses on top with a parmesan lollipop, very unique and very tasty, our best meal in Paris. Angelina’s uses dark African chococolate for their cocoas and desserts and it is extremely rich, “like drinking Ganache with whipped cream”, Alessia noted after only being able to finish one small cup. French pastries look rather elegant, but I find them prettier than they taste. The Hotel Britannique, where we stayed, is a charming small hotel just of the Seine, a 10 minute walk away from the Notre Dame and the Louvre. Nice amenities and furnishings, good bathrooms, friendly people, delicious breakfast (additional cost), free wireless, but very small rooms. I recommend to spend a bit more and get a junior suite so both of you can open your suitcase at the same time. and walk around the bed. Back on the train to Frankfurt the next morning, vowing to come back when the weather is warmer and hopefully a few less tourist are around, must visit more museums and go shopping…and definitely make a reservation ahead at “Tour d’Argent.
Trains, although increased in cost over recent years are still my favorite way to travel through Europe, comfortable, easy to get on and off and always on time. It only takes 4 hours from Germany to Paris. The train stations in larger cities are a virtual mekka of food, you can find almost every nationalitie’s favorite dish represented, dotted with coffee houses, shops and bookstores. Alessia couldn’t resist a Doener Kebob, of course, vertically roasted meat, thinly sliced, stuffed in flat half roll with lettuce, tomato and yogurt sauce, yummy, 5 euros for a huge sandwich!
Our flight to Amman was uneventful, unlike our original journey leaving from Los Angeles. Our plane had to make an unplanned stop in Toronto in the middle of the night, one of the passengers developed a serious medical problem. It took over 2 hours to get us back in the air.
It was great to see our friend Rudi at the airport who took us straight to Bad Kissingen where several of our old friends anxiously and with a beautifully decorated table, laden with homemade cakes and pastries, awaited us. German pastries may not look as fancy and elegant as the French, but they taste better, more flavor, less sugar. I would even venture to say that German bakeries are the best anywhere, the assortment of breads, baked fresh daily is amazing and bakeries are everywhere, also offering delicious sandwiches, great for traveling.
We enjoyed two wonderful dinners at local restaurants in Germany, Alessia’s favorite, the wild boar with browned potatoes, red cabbage.

to be continued................

Hot new winery!

2011-02-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

Just visited Paso Robles, very impressed with some of the wines there. Check out Adelaida, Tablas Creek and one of the newest, Alta Colina, fabulous Rhone style wines, especially loved the GSM!
Try it with Paella, yum!
Before you get into Paso, stop in Templeton at 15 c, Ali the owner is a very knowledgable sommelier and carries 500 exquisite wines not only local but from all over the world. She also makes some of the best sandwiches around, must stop for your picnic supplies and if it's Thursday, don't miss the tapas she serves up in the evening...hip, chic, delicious, fun atmosphere!
Be back soon!

Germany trip

2011-01-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the update itinerary for our Spring trip to Germany:

Meeting the group in Zuerich on April 10th
Spend the first night in Zuerich exploring this wonderful city

Heading towards Germany the next day, we will spend 2-3 days in the Southern German area between the Blackforest and the River, where delicous food and Pinot rules. We'll have an opportunity to "spaaaahhh" in the town of Badenweiler with it's incredible thermal baths.
Off to Alscace-Lorraine, where German and French culinary culture create the most memorable experiences, including a spectacular flower festival.

The last few days we will spend in Freiburg, on the German Riviera, for hikes shopping and more great food and wine, before heading back to Zuerich to depart on April 20th .

Brigitte, your personal guide was born and raised in Freiburg , Germany and will show you places and points of interest that are not available through guidebook or travel agents. This is a personalized tour and the itinerary may be changed slightly to accommodate group preferences.
This is a small and personalized tour with a maximum of 8 participants, so book early.

Cost is $2,200 per person in a double room, $2,500 in a single room
included: transportation starting and ending at Zuerich hotel, mostly by train or private coach
10 nights in comfortable hotels/bed and breakfast inns
daily breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
daily guide for shopping touring, etc.
not included: personal expenses, additonal meals, shopping, insurance, flight to and from Zuerich.
Deposit of $500.00 due by February 5, 2011, balance due March 15, 2011

Brigitte will assist with planning additional intineraries or other ports of entry.

TIPPING

2011-01-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

A pet peeve of mine...tipping. Restaurant servers are now tipped between 15-20 percent of the bill. In a good restaurant servers make more money than a trained chef. Although most do a good job of taking care of guests, rarely do any servers have professional training and pick up information along the way. In the hospitality industry many others who serve and take care of guests are forgotten. We know, gratuity is exactly that... a gracious gesture of a guest to a service person. Some guests are not are aware or unsure of whom to tip, so I am taking the liberty to remind everyone, that if you have received service and care beyond the basic and you want to show your gratitude, remember the following service people:

Housekeepers/Maids - they make your bed, empty your trash, clean your toilet and pick up your socks, they make between $8 - $10 per hour, you don't see them, they take care of your needs in a very unglamorous way. Why don't they get $15%???

Front Desk personnel - they take care of your forgotten toothbrush, your dinner reservation, your limo or cab ride and recommend the locals favorite places to go, they earn between $8-$15 per hour.

Kitchen staff/Chef - if your dinner was exeptionally delicious, the chef and the kitchen staff is to be credited, so tip your server, but don't forget to leave a tip (or a beer) for the chef and his crew. Kitchen staff make between $8 - $14 per hour, chefs about $20-$25 after expensive culinary training and years of experience.

Breakfast included in your room rate? The person bringing breakfast to you and refilling your juice and coffee is a server too, so c'mon leave a few dollars, they make minimum wage!

Massage therapists - although they make between $40-$60 per hour, they too have to have expensive training and licenses, insurance.. and hey they have to work on your naked body and get out all the kinks...that's almost charity work!

Your tour guide driving you to wineries and other places, this person gives you all the inside info and personal care, although these trips are not cheap, insurance alone is a killer.

Owners of a small businesses - if they perform regular staff duties, any above, they do it to give you a special experience and these small inns/restaurant don't make enough money where the owner just wlks around and shakes hands. They are doing the job, let them know with a nice tip that you appreciate them too!

So you wonder why small hospitality businesses pay so little? Well there aren't any small business owners who are wealthy, we make it work as best as we can, especially in areas with (still) high priced real estate...it's the banks who collect and profit.

Small business owners love what they do and love the interaction with their guests and customers, they are what America is all about, remember?? SUpport them, show them your appreciation.
Thank you! Brigitte

European Spring

2010-12-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

Spring in central Europe means cherry blossoms, flowers blooming everywhere and plenty of good food and wine. We are meeting in Zuerich, Switzerland on April 10th to spend our first night as a group. The next day will take us to Lake Luzerne on the footsteps of Wilhelm Tell, a famous Swiss hero. You will learn about history and delicious Swiss food and wine and some of Switzerlands most beautiful scenery by train. Continuing our journey we will spend 3 days in Alsace - Lorraine exploring the "Route du Vin" and beautiful villages such as Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Colmar and the Narcsissus Festival in Gerardmer. Next stop is Freiburg in southwest Germany, conveniently located between the Blackforest and the Rhine River, a mecca of amazing food, wine, culture and shopping. This region is known as the "Riviera of Germany" and you will experience why. In addition, Freiburg boasts a gothic cathedral known as the "most beautiful in Christanity" and an incredible daily Farmer's Market surrounding the cathedral. We will visit a small village in the Blackforest and delight in the delicacies offered. Along our journey, there is plenty of opportunity for walking, relaxtion, and personal private time.
Our groups are small (10 people max.) and personalized. For 10 days, your guide Brigitte will take you to places you will not find through guidebooks or travel agents. You will return with fond memories, new friends and culinary and cultural experiencex you will cherish.

Trip details:
meet in Zuerich Airport, Switzerland on April 10th, 2011, depart from Zuerich, Airport on April 20th. Optional is arrival or departure from other European cities, such as Frankfurt, Germany.

Included in cost of $2,200 per person in a double room or $2,500 per person in a single room:
Transportion from designated Zuerich hotel on April 10th to Zuerich airport on April 20th as a group. Overnight stay in bed and breakfast inns April 10th through April 19th, including daily breakfast and 2 group dinners (exluding alcohol). Transportation will be mostly by train or bus.
Daily guided tours and personal attention by Brigitte. Participants may choose to add time at the beginning or end of the trip with personlized suggestions and recommendations on where to go and what to do by Brigitte.

Your responsibility:
Airline/train transportation to and from designated Zuerich hotel.
Additional add on trip expenses.
Travel insurance
Personal expenses, lunch and dinner outside of above inclusions.
Non refundable deposit 0f $500.00 per person and signed contract due by January 15th, 2011 to guarantee your spot. 5% discount to participants signing up by December 31, 2010.
Balance due March 9th, 2011.

Thank you for your trust in me!
Brigitte

Christmas Market Tour

2010-10-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

Exceitement is building! We have 3 spots left in our small, fun group travelling to Southern Germany in December, returning just before Christmas, laden with wonderful memories, magical Holiday spirit and probably some very unique gifts for our loved ones. Please read below what some of the participants from last years trip have to say about their experience:

Traveling to Germany with Brigitte Guehr is truly a once in a life time experience. Brigitte is an incredible culinary and wine expert. Her attention to every detail and personal knowledge of the area made it possible to visit sites and experience delicious foods and wines mostly unknown to the guide books. I fondly remember hiking the hills round the village Todtnauberg to find the best Blackforest Cake in the region. I can not image visiting Germany without Brigitte. Thank you Brigitte for great memories.Janet Kelleway

"Brigitte made our trip to Germany a spectacular one. With her rich background in the culture and history of the country and her expertise in food and wine, she led us through not only the sights of Germany, but also through a wealth of adventures that made me fall in love with this beautiful country and its people."
Gale Caswell

For details please visit http://www.bacchusca.com/
Brigitte

Holiday Trip 2010

2010-09-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

We are getting close...our Holiday Trip to Germany is planned for December 8 -18/2010.
"Village Christmas Markets" is the theme and there will be lots of Holiday spirit, delicious local foods, wine , yes...and beer!
Brigitte will meet all participants in Munich and introduce everyone to some the fabulous Markets as well as some off the beaten path local attractions. We then head to Tyrolia, Austria to partake in Seefeld's holiday traditions and maybe try out the local cross country ski trails for a couple of days. From there we head west to Freiburg and the Blackforest area and experience local culinary adventures, culture, and scenery. From Freiburg we hop across the border to the Alsace Lorraine area and visit some of the small villages along the "Route du Vin". There will be plenty of opportunity to shop and relax!
Please visit www.bacchusca.com for more info and to sign up. Only 8 spaces available, we keep our tours small and personalized. So hurry!

Rock Shrimp and Stony Hill Riesling

2010-03-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry, it's taken a while to tell you about another wonderful adventure in Napa Valley. I have been a long time fan of Stony Hill Wines, exquisite Chardonnay and Riesling they way Riesling should be made, crisp, fruity and a terrific acid balance, not easy to do in California.
Willinda at Stony Hill was so very gracious to invite me up to their home on top of the hill, surrounded by vineyards. Tasted a luscious Chardonnay and that great Riesling and chatted about food and what would taste great with it. I love shrimp, I love lemon, so Norbert was kind enough to create this recipe especially for Willinda, me and a great Riesling:

Rock Shrimp with two Garlics and crisp Ricotta Wafer:
Saute 6 oz fresh rock shrimp, 3 black and 3 white chopped garlic cloves in 1/2 oz olive oil and 1 oz butter, add 1/2 Meyer lemon juice and 1 oz Riesling. Thicken pan juices with 1oz butter.
Take 4 oz ricotta cheese, 1 oz Parmesan and 1 egg yolk, blend, flatten into 2 circles and saute until crisp, put shrimp on top, garnish with lemon zest and micro greens.

Bon Appetit! Brigitte

2010-02-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

Back in Napa! Had a great meal at Terra last night the third time dining there it is still as good as ever. No crowds, no pretense, just exquisitely prepared, creative food, wonderful wines and impeccable serve in a sophisticated setting.
Stayed at the Cottage Grove Inn in Calistoga, wonderful, tranquil and beautifully furnished cottages where every detail has been lovingly thought of. Try the Indian Springs Spa across the street for a detoxifying mudbath and a dip in their warm mineral springs pool.
I recommend visiting/making appointments at some of the possibly lesser know wineries that have been producing quality wines for many years. My personal tour at Diamond Creek was the highlight of the week. I have a whole new appreciation of the care and skill that goes into winemaking after seeing the different terroirs there and the georfous mountain setting. Sipping that '89 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill will be a whole experience now! Yes, I have several cases of all three vineyards, including the above as well as Red Rock and Gravelly Meadow in several vintages! You too can experience them at Mirabelle Restaurant, you won't find them anywhere else, especially at those prices!
Other not to be missed - Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Paraduxx, Darioush, St. Clement.......oops, gotta go, they're having a sale today!

2010-02-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

Bacchus, i.e. Brigitte has been on the road from Napa to Mendocino today in the pouring rain. Started the day off with a private tasting at Stony Hill, the old greats are still great!! Must stop at Goldeneye, the pinnacle of Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs or maybe Pinot Noirs everywhere, what an experience! In addition, Anderson Valley must be one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Germany trip October 2009

2009-11-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

My travel companions all received their new German names on the first day of our adventure together. While my friend Herbie poured us champagne out of the back of his van in the train station, Marianne, Johanna, Heidi and Gabriele munched on cheese sandwiches.

After checking into our lovely hotel in Bad Kissingen, we all opted for an incredible foot treatment atthe Chinese wellness center across the street. The evening finished off with Schnitzel, potaoto salad and Franconian Domina (that's a red wine grape!) at Rudi and Charlotte's Restaurant "Weinstube Hoffmann".

Bad Kissingen is not on the usual list of places to in Germany, however it is one of the most beautiful spa towns in Germany. It's all about the water ....and the wine of course... Franconia is well known for it's quality red and whites. We all tried the water in the the largest "Wandelhalle" in Europe, where once Emperor's and Queens came for the water's healing properties.

Kissalis, a huge modern structure, houses and amazing water park. No not the kind with slides and swings, but a one acre indoor/outdoor pool with jets and fountains going off in every corner, sauna land, a spa where we indulged in mudpacks and goatbutter treatments, we slithered out of there totally relaxed. Dinner that evening at beautiful Schloss Salleck along with all the German friends. The highlight for me was gooseliver terrine with a very thin layer of Vhalrona dark chocolate which imparted an ever so slight delicious taste of cocoa on the terrine.

The next day, after a brisk walk through the 'Kurgarten" a vast array of trails and paths, a a walking labyrinth, a Kneipp water facility, a sound meditation garden and an old salt mine that is now used for inhalation, we drove off to Schloss Sommerhausen, an ancient castle with a winery. The 3 hour private tour and tasting in the cellar of their sparkling and white wines was not only informative, but nothing short of amazing, especially since Herr Buettner, the young sales manager spoke impecccable English and just so cute to look at!

Day 4, it's (finally) raining as everyone expected. Herbie is driving us towards the Blackforest. The autobahn is jammed, but not to worry, his lovely wife Elizabeth has chilled champagne, sandwiches and chocolate to keep us happy and relaxed...yes it's legal for everyone to drink in the car, except the driver. Herbie opted for a quick espresso stop. Espresso and related coffeedrinks, seems like to me, have almost taken over beer as the national beverage, it's available everywhere, even at the autobahn rest stop.

Our destination is Hotel Sonnenalm, a traditional ans so comfortable inn in the small village of Todtnauberg near the highest mountain of the Blackforest. Herr and Frau Brenner run it meticulously and he cooks a great, ample, three course dinner for his guests every night.

By now I have to remind the girls that they are on a culinary adventure and to keep eating!

Guilt is partially relieved the next day on our lenthy hike around the valley's rim, glorious sunshine and forever views all the to the Swiss Alps and France. At the end our afternoon coffee and tea accompanied by fabulous cakes at the "Gloecklihof" a local farmhouse/cafeand a visit to the local glass blowing factory and shop.

Otto Brenner's "Flaedli Soup", pork medallions with potatoes and a cheese plate strengthened us for the next adventure. That evening we all met in one of the rooms, where Johanna and Heidi desperately tried to unload their duty free purchase of vodka on us.. with good success!

More wine awaits as we head towards the "Kaiserstuhl" (Emperor's Chair") the hilly wine region outside of Freiburg, known for very good Pinot Noirs and Pinot Gris. Just across the Rhine river, a few miles west lies Alsace Lorraine, famous for it's dry, complex Gewuerztraminers and German/French cuisine. We visit Colmar, a beautiful Alsation town, and Breisach on the German side. There we climb up the hill to the St. Stefan Cathedral with it's amazing Riemenschneider Altar and views all the way to the Vosges Mountains.

We have dinner at a "Staussenwirtschaft", well you have to be there to understand what it's like, basically a small winery who is legally only allowed to serve their own wine and homemade food to the public only about three months out of the year. Well worth the wait, the wine is so good and the food just like eating at a rural family home. The next night we dine and wine taste at the country restaurant of our Hotel "Schwarzer Adler". in Oberbergen. This Hotel and winery is known for having one of the largest and greatest Bordeaux selections in Europe as well as their own wines and many of the region. The world is truly small, as we head up to our rooms late evening we meet a local Central Coast winemaker, Jim Clendenen in this little village. he was attending a winemaker dinner that evening with other local and Swiss Pinot producers. To our enjoyment we were invited to taste all the wines, rarely tasted Pinot so fabulous!

Our last stop Freiburg is where I lost the girls, forget culture, art, food, wine, it was all about the shopping now, well ok, we did break it up with fair amounts of wine and cheese....just can't walk by those cheese shops and their intoxicating smells wafting out the door! To everyone's credit they did agree to hike through the forest that runs right through this vibrant city and visit the daily farmer's market. We had arrived in sausage heaven...there is nothing better at noon when the church bells ring than a sausage from the Freiburg market with lots of sauteed onions and mustard on a crunchy roll!! The Freiburg cathedral has what is known as "the most beautiful tower of Christianity". we climed the 200 and some stairs up the to be right up there at noon when the giant bells ring. The grnadeur of the tower and the bells is so moving it's hard for me to hold back tears even now, just remembering the feeling.

A few tears were shed the last day as the girls departed, tears of joy or maybe exhaustion from all the fun? I'm sure lifelong friendships and beatuiful memories of our trip to Germany were formed and I am almost certain everyone will want to return?

I am grateful to have had such a fun group join me on this journey.