Archives for “Frankfurt” tag

Part 1: The view

Schöne Aussicht does mean “beautiful view”, which is exactly what you get when you walk over the “Alte Brücke”, the bridge over the river Main. If you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll get a perfect view up to the top of Frankfurt’s iconic skyscrapers that give it its name “Mainhattan”. Whatever the weather, Schöne Aussicht is a perfect rest stop on a romantic nighttime walk or daytime stroll down the riverside promenade below the bridge.

Feeling up for a jog in the crisp fall air? Start at Schöne Aussicht and follow the path that runs along the Main. It doesn’t matter which way you choose; in both directions the paths go on for several kilometers.

Part 2: The café

After your romantic walk or a hardcore, wintery workout, get back to Schöne Aussicht — this time, check out the café right on the corner of Schöne Aussicht street and Kurt-Schumacher street. I’m a fan of the refreshing organic pear “Saftschorle”, € 3 for a refreshing 0.4 liter glass of fizzy pear juice. If you’re in the mood for drinks with a kick, Schöne Aussicht has a wide selection of aperitifs and cocktails, plus the average selection of coffee-based beverages.

The place to be if you want a mix of American hip hop and pop hits along with the hottest, newest European techno/house chart toppers. Saturday nights at Living XXL, a € 10 cover, you’re guaranteed a fantastic mix of extremely danceable beats (house, techno, pop and “black beats” as Germans like to call hip hop/rap/r&b).

For details about the Wednesday night “after work party”, check Living’s website. FYI I’ll focus on a typical Saturday night. Clientèle is mixed. You’ll find mid-20- and 30-somethings on the dance floor — an assortment of university students, full-timers (lots of bankers), and the occasional tourist.

Happy hour is from 22:00 – 00:00, but most people don’t arrive until between 00:00 and 01:00. Make sure to dress for clubbing – the bouncers aren’t überstrict, but (guys) if you forget to change out of your tennis shoes and aren’t wearing a nice shirt, you won’t get in. Ladies, dress up at least a bit and you won’t have trouble at the door.

(Extra tip for salsa dancers: free beginner lessons are offered occasionally on Thursdays. They are taught in German and are followed by a social dance party. Check the website for exact dates.)

Have lunch in the oldest medieval fortification of Frankfurt am Main, Eschenheimer Turm. Besides its notoriety as a historical landmark from the fifteenth century, the tower bar-restaurant serves up its standard, reasonably priced lunch menu every day.

For € 4.90, choose between eight dishes that range from a delightfully healthy Greek salad to the restaurant’s delicious fried chicken schnitzel with thick-cut French fries (served with mayo, European-style).

Other dishes like the Flammkuchen, a large, thin pastry dough baked with cream, bacon and onions, and the Currywurst mit Pommes remain standard offers, while the pasta special rotates on a daily basis.

The waitresses are especially friendly and service is, in my experience, always fast. Added benefit: even in winter, the sun shines wonderfully through the large glass windows at the base of the tower, making for an extra-cheery lunch hour when the weather is good. There are even a couple of swinging picnic tables to enjoy a playful lunch at when the weather is nice outside.

If you’re more up for cocktails, be sure to check out their happy hour. Starting at 18:00, choose from 15 different cocktails for € 6.50 each!

Aroydee (pronounced “ah-roy-dee”) is a real gem. The predominantly Thai staff serve up dishes spiced to authentic levels as the warmth from the open kitchen wafts through the restaurant. The sheer number of choices on Aroydee’s menu is daunting; there is something for everyone who has even the slightest taste for Thai.

If you have a moment, check out their website to narrow in on your favorite dish. Choose your favorite meats (duck/chicken/beef, etc.) or vegetables, rice vs. noodles, and whatever sweet/salty/spicy sauce you prefer – there is sure to be a corresponding dish on their menu. I recommend #27, Pad Med Mamuang Gai, with chicken, cashews, shallots, onions, peppers and carrots (€ 7).

If you want an extremely Thai dish, order number #40, Som Tom (€ 8.50). I guarantee you’ll be full, though it’s “just” a papaya salad. Make sure to communicate what level of spice you’d like, or you’ll be in for a fiery surprise!

They’ve just renovated and expanded their restaurant space to almost double its previous size. As it’s close to the center, Aroydee is also quite busy during the lunch hour. If you don’t mind grabbing food on the run, it’s often faster to call in your order before you head over.

For tapas in Frankfurt, it doesn’t get better than La Trinca. This Spanish restaurant has locations both on Schweizerstrasse and in the Kleinmarkthalle, and is always good for a small dinner party. The hot and cold varieties of tapas are perfect for sharing, so bring a friend or make it a date!

My personal favorite: the tortilla de espinacas y chistorra, a potato-spinach omelette served with red sauce for a spicy twist. Second-favorite: the pinchitos de pollo, grilled chicken drizzled with a rich cherry sauce. If I’m feeling extremely decadent, I’ll go for the datiles con jamón (dates wrapped in bacon) for a bit of heaven on earth. Most tapas cost between € 3 – 6, and if you’re hungry and eating with one other person, plan on ordering at least 3-4 plates to share.

La Trinca offers larger main meals as well, but half the fun of a tapas restaurant is to go for a bunch of smaller dishes, mix it up, and share the fun! Make sure to order a glass of red from the Spanish wine selection to sip with your dishes…¡buen provecho!