Herzlich Wilkommen!
A “cordial welcome” as the Germans would say. But even if you don’t hear these words, you will still see, feel and most of all, taste Germany at Bavaria Restaurant.
Located along the quiet Seminario Street in Jaro, this quaint little restaurant has been “open secret” among Ilonggo foodies for around 13 years. Like a typical German tavern, the restaurant has given Ilonggos a chance to experience the Deutsch fashion of merry eating and drinking.
The Place
“I wanted to bring something unique to the Ilonggos and food is always a good option” says Helen Stummer, owner of Bavaria. “And they won’t only appreciate the food but also the setting and ambiance”.
True enough, patrons feel a transformation the moment they step in. A narrow hallway brings guests to a cozy dining area that also feels like a museum of sorts. Ornate decorations and displays in true German fashion harmonize the dainty fixtures. Wooden panels give the interior a warm and cozy ambiance that is both simple and elegant. It also shows memorabilia and souvenirs of Germany and as well as Mrs. Stummer’s travels around the world.
“But it didn’t start this way” she reveals. ”It was borne out of the need to complement my other business venture - the Nagarao Island Resort off Guimaras”. Her abode (on the same lot) used to accommodate resort guests who arrived off the schedule or those wanted to go around Iloilo City. Later, she decided to transform part of her house into a pension (now Iloilo City Inn) to shelter more guests “And the need to nourish them gave birth to Bavaria” she discloses.
The Food
German specialties highlight the gastronomy at Bavaria Restaurant. Start with vorspeisen & salate (appetizers and salad) like Kartoffelsalat (German Potato salad) and Wurstsalat (Bavarian sausage salad) or with suppen (soup) like the Bavarian Marrow soup (German stew made from beef shanks).
For the main course, one can have the schwein (pork) specialty like Jagerschnitzel (Hunters schnitzel) – a famous Bavarian dish consisting of thinly sliced breaded pork served with dark mushroom sauce and mashed potato.
Or go healthier with rind (beef) like Sauerbraten (pot roast). This is considered to be the national dish of Germany and consists of beef marinated (in vinegar, water, spices and seasoning) for days before cooking.
Care for some geflügel (chicken)? Try the Berliner chicken - breaded chicken fillet covered with creamy potato sauce topped with melted cheese and served with fettuccini. Fisch (fish) specialties include fish fillet that has are wrapped, crusted or spiced.
But it’s the wurst (sausages) that give the real taste of Germany. Served with side dishes like sauerkraut, blaukraut (red cabbage) or mashed and pan fried potato, take you pick from Nurnbergerwurst, bratwurst, schublig, frankfurter, cervelat and a whole lot more . Much better still order the assorted sausages platter (consists of five sausages) that comes with a basket of home baked German bread.
These sausages deserve a perfect match – beer! Try Weizen bier where the usual malted barley is replaced with wheat thus giving a unique brew. Or Pilsner bier - one of the most popular lager beers in Germany. Can’t get enough of beer? Then try the mass beers that come in 1 liter volume glasses and celebrate Oktoberfest all year round. Non-alcoholic? They have this famous German mixed drink called Spezi and a host local sodas, shakes, coffee and tea.
Bavaria also serves other European specialties like pizza, pasta, paella and other sausages as well. They also served frühstük (breakfast) in Continental, German, American and Filipino as well as sandwiches and desserts.
Have a taste of Germany in Iloilo City. Visit Bavaria for great food and the old world charm it brings - for a visit is more than gastronomy, it is also appreciation of another culture and everything in it.
Guten appetit!
This feature was published on The News Today last March 24, 2011 under my column - FLAVORS :)
