Tuesday 25 December 2012

CHRISTMAS IN THE BLACK FOREST

 

 
 
 
 
HOTEL SCHWARZWALDHOF
HINTERZARTEN
 
 
The hotel Schwarzwaldhof is a delightful 3 star hotel, centrally located in the spa and ski resort of Hinterzarten. Accommodation in the 75 bed hotel ranges from double or single rooms, with or without balcony, to the large luxury room which is some 50sqm with a large sitting area and a west facing balcony, there is also the 'Tower Room' which has a four poster bed. Room prices start from €40 per person in low season, and €44 per person in high season. 
 
Built in 1883 and originally called  Gasthaus Zum Bahnhof' (Station Guesthouse) due to its close proximity to the train station, the building was purchased by Adolf and Doris Gutzweier in 1968 and has undergone extensive refurbishment. The hotel is very traditional and is much photographed by the many visitors to this beautiful Black Forest village.
 
I was not staying at the hotel on this occasion as I was staying with family. However, I have previously enjoyed a stay at the hotel's charming guesthouse, Hotel Garni Sonne Guesthouse and would highly recommend it.


 
 
I decided to take my family out for a meal on Christmas Eve. Having previously enjoyed a very good meal in the restaurant at the Hotel Schwarzwaldhof, where the food proved to be excellent, I decided to choose this hotel restaurant once again and was not disappointed. 
 
The restaurant can cater for up to 200 guests and normally provides two set menus as well as  a' la carte. The restaurant is normally closed on Tuesdays, apart from over the Christmas and New Year period. On Christmas Eve we were given the choice of a' la carte or two set menus, one with Goose, the other  with Venison. The set menus were priced at a very reasonable €31 for Goose, or €35 for Venison.
 
I had reserved a table for 7.30pm, I arrived with my family at 7.15pm and we were immediately shown to our table. Once seated, we were presented with the special Christmas menu and our drinks order was taken. We all chose the set menus, I opted for the Goose and my dinning companions chose the Venison. The set menu consisted of four courses, all of which were served by very friendly and accommodating waiting staff. Our waiter, Karsten, was very polite and attentive and spoke very good English.
 
The restaurant, although not full, was well patronised and there was a good ambiance.The restaurant was festively decorated, however, a little festive background music would have enhanced the experience. All four courses were beautifully prepared, delicious and well presented, we all enjoyed the exceptionally good food. All meals at the hotel are home cooked and freshly prepared from mostly local produce, and all cakes are produced in the hotel's own patisserie.  
 
This was an excellent meal at a very reasonable price, a most enjoyable evening and a wonderful way to spend Christmas with family, no one had to cook or do the washing up! I highly recommend the restaurant at Hotel Schwarzwaldhof, you are always assured of excellent food and service no matter what time of year you visit.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOTEL HEIZMANNSHOF


 
 
 
 
Hotel Heizmannshof is a beautiful hotel and restaurant. Recently renovated by the current proprietors, it is an original 300 year old Schwarzwaldstube built in a typical Black Forest style. Run by the Rieble family, the hotel is located at Bruderhalde 35, close to Titisee Lake, between the beautiful village of Hinterzarten and the town of Titisee. 
 
My family and I were looking for somewhere special to celebrate New Years Eve, and chose Hotel Heizmannshof for this special occasion. We could not have made a better choice. From the moment we entered the restaurant we were shown hospitality second to none, and were made to feel very much at home. After being shown to our reserved table, we chose our meals from the extensive menu. There was a very good choice and all courses were very reasonably priced.

 
 
The restaurant was busy, although not full, and the service and food was excellent. The restaurant was festively decorated with Christmas trimmings, and on each table there were table decorations of potted 'lucky' four leaf clovers and little chimney sweeps in top hats. These tokens of good luck were very kindly given to the guests at the end of the evening. The ambiance in the restaurant was a very relaxed one, the rustic setting and blazing fire all contributing to the wonderful atmosphere.
 
The proprietors, Gunter and Sabine Rieble, were very much in evidence throughout the evening and, along with their kitchen and restaurant staff, worked tirelessly to ensure all their guests had a wonderful experience. Herr Rieble, after cooking in the kitchen, took the time to mingle and talk to his guests, which was clearly appreciated by all. 
 
Just before midnight, and with a glass of sparkling wine in hand, we were ushered out onto the terrace for the firework display. At precisely midnight we were treated to an excellent display of fireworks by our very kind hosts. All around us we could see fireworks being set off by other revellers in Titisee and the surrounding area. It was a most magical start to 2013.
 
All too soon, our taxi arrived to take us back to Hinterzarten where we were staying. As we said our goodbyes and wished our fellow diners a happy new year, we were given our lucky little chimney sweeps to take home with us. A wonderful evening amongts very hospitable people and, certainly, a new year's eve celebration to remember!

 
 
More information on Hotel Heizmannshof can be found at: www.heizmannshof-titisee.de