It's our fourth time in three years. Every time there is a very special occasion, our choice is made and the 600km round trip worth every km.||||Douce Steiner now has 2 Michelin stars, and never ceases to surprise us. The food combinations are new, the cooking perfect, the tastes are wonderful. ||||What sets her apart from many chefs is that she remains humble and approachable, every day, she and her husband manage a team of excellent chefs, observed through the glass windows, the kitchen is calm and focussed, no hot and screaming chefs to be found here and it is reflected in the food. Food made with the best ingredients, very often local and elevated to taste the best it can. Whether foie gras or asparagus, not false notes.||||Both she and her husband are always present and ever vigilant over the dishes leaving the kitchen. She cares about what happens to the wonderful produce and she cares that her clients are getting a great plate of food, every single time. The restaurant remains down to earth, cosy, like a friends home despite her changing things like lighting or the outside space. ||||As always, we book a room because we love the breakfasts, served at the table, hot and cold options and it really sets you up for the day. And who do you find in the morning checking the teapots, Douce Steiner, not too high and mighty to lend a hand. I'm a fan, I think she deserves every recognition for the wonderful job she is doing, in and out of...
Read moreIt's our fourth time in three years. Every time there is a very special occasion, our choice is made and the 600km round trip worth every km.||||Douce Steiner now has 2 Michelin stars, and never ceases to surprise us. The food combinations are new, the cooking perfect, the tastes are wonderful. ||||What sets her apart from many chefs is that she remains humble and approachable, every day, she and her husband manage a team of excellent chefs, observed through the glass windows, the kitchen is calm and focussed, no hot and screaming chefs to be found here and it is reflected in the food. Food made with the best ingredients, very often local and elevated to taste the best it can. Whether foie gras or asparagus, not false notes.||||Both she and her husband are always present and ever vigilant over the dishes leaving the kitchen. She cares about what happens to the wonderful produce and she cares that her clients are getting a great plate of food, every single time. The restaurant remains down to earth, cosy, like a friends home despite her changing things like lighting or the outside space. ||||As always, we book a room because we love the breakfasts, served at the table, hot and cold options and it really sets you up for the day. And who do you find in the morning checking the teapots, Douce Steiner, not too high and mighty to lend a hand. I'm a fan, I think she deserves every recognition for the wonderful job she is doing, in and out of...
Read moreThis is our second stay at the Hotel Hirschen this year and the fourth stay overall. To stress, this review focuses on the hotel services (there will be a separate restaurant review shortly). The hotel booking was done together with the restaurant booking on the website.||Undeniably, if you visit the hotel it is to eat at the restaurant. Sulzburg is a nice small village and we mostly returned after our restaurant visits in the past. Now that we live farther away, we combine it with the hotel stay. The hotel experience is in our view crafted in a way to complement the restaurant experience. Check-in is done in the restaurant (and you can have a peak at the preparations going on in the kitchen). If you arrive early, they will serve you something small with a smile. Of course, in summer, the inner courtyard is a great place to have this snack. ||To reach the rooms, be prepared to take some steps. The rooms are nicely decorated with good quality beds. Mind you, no TV, Internet or air conditioning. Just focus and get ready for the culinary adventure waiting for you. This does apply to dinner as well as to the extensive breakfast offering. And, if you have been there a few times, like we have, you will feel like returning to visit very good friends.||So, in short, if you live farther away, staying there while enjoying the restaurant is in our view...
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