Restaurants

Remember when I discussed taking the measure of restaurants by sampling how they prepare duck?

As I’ve said before, usually I’m disappointed.  The duck is dry, chewy or downright tasteless.  But then at times, often when I least expect it, the duck is perfect.  A masterpiece, if you will.

The other night, I wanted to check out a Weinstube in Heidelberg.  I wasn’t there to eat – mainly to check out the wine list (which, by the way, was small yet very impressive).  But the smells from the kitchen proved too much for me to resist.

You might not find Das Laemmchen unless you know where to look.  Nestled in the narrow stress of the Handschuhsheim area of Heidelberg, a gold lamb denotes its presence – nothing more.  But one step inside and you’ll never forget it.  This historic building holds a three-star hotel, gourmet restaurant Das Lamm, and the more casual Weinstube, Das Laemmchen.

My entenbrust (duck breast) in a sour cherry sauce was incredible.  I could have easily ordered myself a second plate.  And the Ihringer Winkelberg Spaeteburgunder proved to be a perfect companion.  My companion’s rindfilet proved to be equally delish – cooked to a perfect medium (a rarity in a country that likes its beef cooked to toughness) and served with remarkably ungreasy bratkartoffln.

Thrilled with the food, I asked the bartender what I might expect when eating across the hall at the lauded Das Lamm.  He smiled, poured me a second glass of wine and told me I should find out for myself.  “Believe me, you will not be disappointed,” he said.

With images of that perfect duck dancing in my head, I don’t doubt it.  A return trip to Das Lamm (and probably another to Das Laemmchen, too) is definitely in order.

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Das Laemmchen
Hotel Gasthof Lamm
Pfarrgasse 3
69121 Heidelberg
Germany

Tel:  (49) 6221-47930
Email: info@lamb-heidelberg.de

Photo courtesy of Kayt Sukel.