By Ron Stern, Travel Photojournalist
Located between the Rhine and Neckar Rivers in the sunniest part of Germany, Mannheim is one of those cities that many have heard of but few really know, especially in a gastronomic sense. Almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, Mannheim has slowly rebuilt itself, adding rich and culturally diverse dining options along the way. So foodies, take notice, this is one city that grabs your taste buds and won’t let go.
One of the largest cities in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Mannheim was laid out on a grid system and is sometimes known as the city of squares. Instead of street names, letters and numbers identify the locations, which are rather easy to figure out once you are here for a few hours.
Here are a few that will get you excited about planning a visit:
• Eis Fontanella (gelato pasta) Dario Fontanella invented the original Spaghetti Eis, a dessert made to resemble pasta with tomato sauce. First, a bottom layer of thick whipped cream is topped with vanilla gelato that has been squeezed through the press. Tangy strawberry sauce is added and topped with white chocolate crumbles meant to resemble cheese.
• Keller’s Weinrestaurant (German food and wine). Located in the heart of Mannheim, Keller’s Weinrestaurant offers a wide variety of local wines together with traditional German cuisine.
Seasonal specialties include a hefty and tasty portion (1 lb.) of white asparagus with ham, new potatoes, and melted butter for around €24. Der Kaffeeladen & Die Schokoladenwerkstatt (Coffee and Chocolate)
This charming little shop is run by two gentlemen whose passions are coffee and chocolate.
Wanting to offer something that truly represented his city, Lehmann also created the Mannheimer Schlosspflaster. These chocolate squares are meant to resemble the cobblestones surrounding The Mannheim Baroque Palace.
Resources: The Sunny Side of Germany: http://www.tourism-bw.com/