Writer Chick Talks recently included me on a “meme”. Being a relative novice, I have to admit, I’m not even sure I know what “meme” means. But, after getting the lowdown on the rules, WC assured me it would be fun. Simply, I’m to write a post about 5 of my favorite local dining establishments and give a quick run down.
Unfortunately, for the last year and 1/2, I’ve been stuck in a Northern Carolina town without the type of restaurants worthy of this misplaced Southern California guy. I’ll try something else; here are my list of top 5 places to eat from my global travels?
1. Zum Schwan, Trippstadt, Germany. I happened on this little gasthaus while stationed in Deutschland back in the early 90’s. From what I remember, the place had been around since the 1700’s. But, what made this place my favorite? It was the first time I tried blutwurst! What an occassion and taste sensation. Of course, I’d had a half liter of hefeweizen prior to eating, which always makes the subsequent meal very notable.
Genießen Sie die gehobene gutbürgerliche Küche im stilvollen Restaurant oder im idyllischen Garten. Der SCHWAN kombiniert geschmackvollen Stil und Wohlfühlambiente mit pfälzischen und internationalen Spezialitäten aus Küche und Keller, auch für Vegetarier und den ernährungsbewussten Gast. Ob zum Essen, gemütlichen Beisammensein am Stammtisch, Schlummertrunk an der Theke oder zum geselligen Kegelabend, Sie sind jederzeit herzlich willkommen!
2. The Quiet Woman, Corona Del Mar, California. Most impressive little pub back in 1988. I’m assuming its only gotten better. Service was the highlight of the evening, but the food was a very close second. Being a meat eater, that’s what I enjoyed most of all. Good atmosphere, very tasty food, and exemplary service. By the way, the name derives from the sign out front, a headless woman.
3. Le Mimosa Restaurant, Capitol Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi. While doing a bit of bio-medical consulting, I spent a week in Malawi. While this restaurant may be 4 stars by African standards, by American, “not so much”. But, I still enjoyed eating some of the real African cuisine of the country at very cheap “kwacha” rates and drinking lots of African beer. If I remember right, Carlsberg was their prominant beer. Okay, so Carlsberg is Dutch, but Malawi has its own brewery! It was a fine pilsner, bright and not too bitter because of the Danish summer apple flavor. Sitting by the pool, drinking Carlsberg deep in the heart of Africa is an experience I’ll not soon forget.
4. Jones, Saddam International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq. Okay, while it wasn’t a real restaurant, it was great for us who had just rolled into Baghdad and spent weeks eating MREs. Sure, the food was still served out of metal trays that had been boiled, but to us it was gourmet food. Guess you had to be there.
5. Any Claim Jumpers! But, my favorite is my hometown, where the ribs are as big as Fred Flinstone ribs, the steaks melt in your mouth and the servings are big enough to feed a family of four for days, literally!
Wow Ham,
You gave this post a real international flair. I’m totally with you on Claim Jumpers. I am addicted to their mozzarella sticks which are the size of maple saplings. Oh, I must go get some of those.
I loved the Saddam Airport ‘cafe’ too – I’ll bet spaghetti-o’s were a welcome sight.
Thanks for doing the meme – you done me proud.
WC
You’re welcome, was a treat to try something new!