Lunch @ Meat.ing, Cologne, Germany

Korean food is one of my favourites and it doesn't take much to persuade me to try out a new restaurant serving Korean cuisine. One of the things I love about Korean food is the fact that you have a huge amount of variety with the side dishes. I've made my own kimchi a couple of times but haven't had the time to sit down lately to make some, so I had to get my quick fix from somewhere else. Our last visit to town presented just that opportunity!

We visited meat.ing a Korean restaurant in close proximity to the city center of Cologne. The restaurant specializes in Korean barbecue but they also do the usual Korean fare such as udon, bibimbap, and bulgogi for their lunch menu.

Tender and flavoursome

Situated on a corner lot across an Asian grocery market

 

Interior is pretty modern and new. Each table has its own grill unit and an extractor fan

Side dishes consisted of 2 different kimchis, beansprouts and a brocolli/cabbage mix. We were disappointed with the measly portions and the fact that they do not do refills. €3.50 for an extra portion of kimchi seems extremely steep given that the korean restaurants we've been to in the past just give it to you for free.

Sobulgogi (€10.50) Flavoursome and had a nicely sized portion, we both enjoyed the bulgogi in this restaurant. The sauce went very well with the rice

Kimchi jjigae (€9.50) The Jjigae was good and had the right amount of spice to it. They definitely did not tone this down for the foreigners, and we love it! 

  A good day for a warming korean meal!

Verdict: We enjoyed the jjigae and bulgogi but were slightly disappointed with the mini side dish portions. Can't have them all it seems!

Price: €20 for two persons

Location: meat.ing, Hohe Pforte 9, 50676 Cologne, Germany

Phone: 0221-99556860

Opening hours:Tuesday to Friday- 1200 to 1500hrs and 1800 to 2300 hrs

Saturday- 1200 to 2300 hrs

Sundays and Public holidays- 1800 to 2300 hrs



*This is a guest post by The Unc.


If you enjoyed reading my posts, LIKE me on Facebook! You can also follow me on Instagram (@babysumo) for more photo updates. Thanks :)

Lunch @ La Poêle d'Or, Cologne, Germany (1-Michelin star)

Just this year, La Poêle d'Or in Cologne received its first Michelin star, elevating its position to one of the best eateries in town. We were there to sample their lunch menu to experience for ourselves what makes a Michelin starred restaurant and get fed by of one of rising stars of the scene in French chef Jean-Claude Bado. In addition to the Michelin star, they also have 17 points on Gault Millau 2013. We went for their 2 course lunch menu and were pleasantly surprised by the amount of small samples of amuse bouche we had throughout the meal. The lunch menu changes daily, depending on what fresh produce the chef receives each morning.

A pleasure for the senses

The exterior of the restaurant. It is placed side-by-side to its sister bistro Bistrot B

Located in close proximity to the Cologne Dom, certainly the most recognisable landmark in town.

The interior of the restaurant. We were early there and thus had the pleasure of having the restaurant to ourselves.

Cosy and understated decor

First amuse-bouche: Terrine, mousse and tartar of salmon. Three contrasting textures and tastes. A nice start!

Some warm bread and French butter

Second amuse-bouche: British sardine with olve tapenade and escabeche. Beautifully presented and the escabeche provided a huge punch of flavor. Would have went great with some bread but it was all already in my tummy by the time I thought about it.

Cheese croissant and house-made bread 

Third amuse-bouche: Coffee macaron with ham flavoured mousse. Cutely presented on a wooden platform, the macaron shell was air light and the savory ham mousse was surprisingly good

Starter: Salmon with quince chutney. This was the star of the day for us. The fatty salmon was wonderful and complimented by the sweetness and acidity of the quince chutney. Stuff of dreams!

It's not too bad looks wise as well!

Main dish: Guinea fowl with sauce Albuféra, vegetables and potato. The fowl was cooked perfectly, with a crispy exterior and and moist inside. It is easy to get this wrong and we were impressed at how good it was with the Albuféra sauce. The portion was generous as well.

Petit fours to end the meal

Some awards the restaurant managed to garner.

The waiting area at the entrance of the restaurant

Verdict: We were wowed by the great food and impeccable service at the restaurant. The sum of the parts and components of the meal were a delight and left us planning a revisit in the near future.

Opening hours. Lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Price: €65 including drinks for a table of two

Location: La Poêle d'Or, Komödienstr. 50-52 - 50667 Köln, Germany

Tel.: +49 (0)221/13 986 777

Website: http://www.lapoeledor.de/


*This is a guest post by The Unc.

Christmas Market 2013 @ Cologne, Germany

It's that busy time of the year again where Christmas markets are open all around Europe. There is a magical feeling about the smells and sights as you scuttle around the markets at snail pace, just soaking it all in. The beautiful handicrafts, smells of sweets, bratwurst and mulled wine are an experience in Europe you can only get this time of the year. This year round we are in the Nordrhein-Westfalen area and the very first Christmas market we visited was in the beautiful city of Cologne. There are some staples you would expect to see in most Christmas markets but there is always something new to discover as each market has their own individual flavour. There are various Christmas markets littered around the city of Cologne and we decided to visit the ones beside the Cologne Dom and the Weihnachstmarkt Alter Markt in the old town (Heumarkt).

Both Christmas markets were extremely packed but we enjoyed the Weihnachtsmarkt Alter Markt a bit more as it had its own character and own story, in addition to a ice-skating rink right in the center! In Cologne, there is a folk tale of small little gnomes called Heinzelmännchen, who apparently appeared at night and did all the work for the citizens. These gnomes are closely-related to the city and thus the connection to the market which is also labelled the Home of the Heinzel.

The Christmas market by the Dom

The Dom provides a stunning backdrop to the Christmas market

Santa minding the gates...

Wurst! Of course...

Cologne, the perfume is derived from the name of this city. 4711 claims to be the original Eau de Cologne made by Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina. 

More than enough sheeps to count yourself to sleep!

Big tree in the middle of the Dom Christmas market

The Weihnachtsmarkt Alter Markt in Heumarkt

Waffles with various kinds of toppings

Smoked salmon

One the most popular stores, selling Reibkuchen. (fried potato pancakes) We had a try of this and it was great! Most people had theirs with apple mousse but we had ours with garlic sauce. (3.50 Euro for 3, 0.50 Euro for your sauce of choice)

Guess which one is the real animal...

Handmade crafts

Traditional pancakes on a woodfire oven

Various sculptures

The Christmas markets in Cologne have their own unique character and it is definitely worth a visit to one (of two!) when you are in town during this time of the year.

Opening times:-
Dom Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom)

25 November to 23 December 2013

Thursdays and Fridays 1100 to 2200 hrs

Saturdays 1000 to 2200 hrs

Sundays to Wednesdays 1100 to 2100 hrs

Weihnachtsmarkt Alter Markt

25 November to 23 December 2013

daily from 1100 to 2200 hrs

Location: Cologne, Germany.