The Sunday of Pessach and also the second birthday of Curry-Heute, there would be Curry later
Today we would be Tourists, the weather was dry and occasionally the sun appeared, so one or two decent photographs would be possible. Strasbourg indeed has an atmosphere that is infectious. This is a far more impressive settlement than Freiburg which had not lived up to expectation. With an improving familiarity of the layout of the town we headed in a different direction away from the Station initially, before crossing over the River Ill and on to Le Petit France.
The postcard views were now discovered in their full glory. The half timbered buildings, the canal locks, all very picturesque. It was lunchtime, our Ibis deal did not include breakfast so Hector had worked up an appetite.
The restaurant Au Pont St. Martin looking the part from the outside. We were given a table alongside a German couple. Now that the smoking ban is understood and accepted in most places this is no longer an issue. Salmon on Pasta made Hector a Happy Chap, Marg was able to stomach Fried Camembert in Sesame Seeds. How?
It was only on our departure that I managed a glimpse of the Blond Fraulein I had been sitting beside, she was the double of Emilia Fox. Marg never said a word throughout the meal. A Photo opperchancity missed.
After further wanderings and a Coffee we found ourselves in what felt like a stationary queue for the Boat Trip. We caught the next departure, just and somehow ended up in the front seats. Two Locks negotiated and we were further north than we had walked. Here was the European Parliament/Court Buildings and the headquarters of Arte. Fortunately The Planners had located these modernistic buildings away from Le Petit France thus maintaining the skyline and architectural style of the urban core. I like French Planners.
By some reason that could be down to total chance, the Boat Ride ended at 17.50 at a place which was exactly ten minutes form Bar Exils and the probability of the Happy Hour. Mein Host must have been stressed and not realised the time, standard issue was still under-way.
I asked for a half litre of Paulaner (München, Bayern) plus a Mystic Kriek for Marg and the normal price was charged. The thought of two pints of Kwak had entered my head, but somehow sense prevailed. Mein Host departed and Mein Hostess took over. A pint of Kwak it was then, Marg got the raw deal with a the standard fare for her modest second Kriek.
It was then Curry time at Le Penjab across the way.
Abstemious? It felt like it. Having located the Academie de la Biere earlier in the day it should have been easy to find. Once the bearings were sorted it was, but Strasbourg does take you round in circles. The Academie is a small venue, only one table was free and Hector squeezed himself on to the bench seat. Who designed this. A Chap came over and asked what we wanted, the Bier List of course! What is this, are we meant to be Physic (sic)?
There was nothing on draught that made me want to drink it, the choice was poor. I asked for Andechs Weizen Hell from their list of Bottles. They didn’t have it. A large bottle of La Chouffe then. He went away, a Doris came over, they don’t have any Chouffe. I studied the list again and spotted Morte Subite Kriek at €5.00 for a 0.2l bottle. It was all they had, this was produced and consumed in no time at all. I decided we had better leave before I told them what I thought. Like the similarly named outlet in Athens, this venue was Overpriced and Understocked. I do not recommend anyone visits this, the fun is in town.
Bars, Restaurants and Brasserie visited today:
Au Pont St. Martin – 15, Rue des Moullins, 67000, Strasbourg, Alsace
Bar Exils – 28, Rue De L’Ail, 67000, Strasbourg, Alsace
Academie de la Biere – 17 Rue Adolphe Seybouth, 67000, Strasbourg, Alsace
Pingback: Le Penjab – Strasbourg, Hector’s First French Curry | curry-heute.com