Eating (My favourite Restaurants)

Our French neighbours think we Germans live to work (while they work to live). Well, in part that may be right, but those who know me in person tell that I live to *eat*. (They're right, by the way) Actually, despite many rumours I don't eat everything, (just as my favourite nation, the Chinese... they are said to eat everything with four legs except the table. I'd say they eat most things regardless of the number of legs...:-> ), but I think that I can determine whether it tastes good or bad only after I've taken a bite.

Do you like blue cheese? I certainly do, and if one can digest stinking rotten milk, then what's so bad about silkworms?

By the way: how do I choose my favourites? Not always because the food or environment is five-star, usually it is an overall rating, sometimes I just like the environment or have some nice memories. BTW: Ethnic restaurants only make it to this list if they serve authentic food.

Hamburg & Vicinity
Gaststätte Waldesruh Forstweg 2 23863 Bargfeld-Stegen phone (04532) 22192	Located in the midst of fields and forests, still close to Hamburg. The friendly owners of the old farmyard-style restaurant serves hearty local dishes, always with a smile (which, according to the menu, is included in the price;-). In the summer you can enjoy your meal under green trees in the garden. They also have ponies for hire. If possible, you should go there by bicycle or horse (a horse parking is provided), a motor vehicle would break the style of this old-fashioned place, which always reminds me of a story of old of a garden restaurant I once heard in school and never forgot. See also their web site
Golden (金门 - Jīnmén) [Golden Gate] Wartenau 4 22089 Hamburg phone (040) 254 32 94	At best ignore the German menu, if you can't read the Chinese menu, ask the funny owner (that's the short big one with the suspenders) for advice (which I always do). He also speaks some English. They have Chinese newspapers, white patrons are a small minority. One of the place to take your Chinese friends out, and my favourite in Hamburg.
Matsumi Colonnaden 96 20354 Hamburg phone (040) 34 31 25	The oldest and best Japanese restaurant in town, unlike many stylish Sushi places they serve the authentic way - most patrons are Japanese. When in Hamburg, don't miss it, but be sure to reserve a table in advance. Oh yes, and bring a full wallet. It's not cheap, but worth it.
Spain
Rest. Sagardi Calle Argenteria, 62 08003 Barcelona phone 93 319 99 93	Tapas, steaks, wine what should I say? Go and enjoy! Web Site
China
Canada
Ginger and Onion Cuisine 7131 Kennedy Road Market Village Unit E3-4 (near Pacific Mall) Markham, ON L3R 9W1 phone (905) 479-7730	Cantonese style place, like at home they come around with freshly prepared Dim Sun and you pick your selections as they pass by. Very crowded during peak times, but it's worth waiting (if you forgot reserving a table).
Summit Garden 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd Mississauga, ON phone (905) 828 6686	One of the many big Chinese restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area. It is large and full of Chinese (by now you noted my philosophy: large number of Chinese patrons equals tasty food....)
Ginza of Tokyo 5130 Dundas Street West. Toronto, ON phone (416) 234-1161	Oops... something non-Chinese at last. A franchise place but quite a good one... tasty sushi and japanese beer, even the staff is Japanese m^_^m
The Heart and Crown Ottawa, Lowertown phone (613) 562-0674 e-mail: heartandcrown@hotmail.com	Great pub, serving hearty food and a selection of good beers and live music, going there after coming from the US makes me feel back home in Europe...
USA
Louise's Rock House Restaurant U.S. Hwy. 221 (Blue Ridge Pkwy) Linville Falls, NC phone (828) 765-2702	Some items make this place remarkable: In the centre of the restaurant three county lines meet, and the food rations are as hearty and big as the ladies serving it. That's good auld fashioned American country style, if you're near, don't miss it! See also this web site
Nau-Ti-Gal 5360 Westport Rd. Madison phone 246-3130	You love to eat seafood? You want a nice place in a nice location near Lake Mendota? Nau-Ti-Gal's my favourite place here! Find more at their web site
Rathskeller UW Memorial Union Rathskeller 800 Langdon St. Madison, WI	The food is typical US-style quick-grilled (aka fastfood) junk. But you shouldn't miss the design featuring German murals of student life. For the illiterate, English translations are provided on boards at the sides of the entrance :-)
Singapore
China Town Complex 335 Smith Street Singapore 050335	You may want to avoid the made-for-tourists hawkers on Smith Street, so you should go a few steps to the upper level of the Chinatown Complex. Although quite clean (hey, this is Singapore!), a very Chinese place ^_^ . I never miss it.

Remarks: Telephone numbers are given in local format, Chinese addresses are given in English translation (e.g. Suzhou Street) or in Pinyin romanization with tones. Where parts of the address (auch as postcodes) are missing it is because I have no idea :)

TBC (to be continued....)