The cordon bleu at Das Notstain in Amberg, Germany, can be ordered with veal or pork. It is served with french fries or potato salad. All the ingredients are sourced locally. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
With temperatures in Germany heading toward freezer territory, the menu at Das Notstain in the Bavarian city of Amberg is warming up with farm-fresh dishes and a cozy atmosphere.
The bar and restaurant takes up two floors right next to St. Martin’s Basilica and the Vils River. In the summer, the outdoor seating lets you enjoy your meal with a nice view and sounds of the river. In the winter, guests can cozy up in the warm, softly lit dining room.
Das Notstain overlooks the Vils River in the Bavarian city of Amberg. The restaurant offers seating on two floors as well as a bar area on the first floor. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Das Notstain is all about making sure customers know where the menu items come from. Local bakeries and butchers supply bread and meat, respectively, while the coffee it serves is roasted in Garmisch.
Prospective patrons should be aware that there is no food service during lunch. However, drinks are served throughout the day.
To start off the experience, my dinner guest and I explored their wine selection and had the bar choose a delicious red for us.
The pumpkin bruschetta at Das Notstain in Amberg, Germany, is perfect for two people to share and comes with a delicious pumpkin mixture on ciabatta bread and a dash of pesto. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
I decided to try out a seasonally fitting appetizer, the pumpkin bruschetta. It provided a delicious introduction to the meal with a mashed potato-like consistency and hint of pesto.
Then we were on to the entrees, from which we chose two. The veal cordon bleu was the highlight of the evening. The dish was served with two medium-sized pieces of veal, wrapped up in cheese spiral and fried with a crispy exterior.
The “potato dippers” served with it were french fries but cut out in a scoop shape to carry a little extra sauce.
The beef filet is one of the more expensive main courses served at Das Notstain in Amberg, Germany. It comes with a side of potato puree and a plum sauce. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
The other entree we tried was the beef filet. For the 28-euro price tag, we received a steak that was no larger than 3 to 4 ounces. Despite being cooked to a perfect medium-rare, it left me with a familiar feeling of mild disappointment over the small, tougher cuts I’ve encountered in Germany.
The steak dish’s saving grace was the side of potato puree with minced truffles.
Das Notstain's desserts include chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and berry mix, shown above, and mango tapioca. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Then it was on to dessert, which did not disappoint. The chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and berry mix was absolutely delightful.
In addition, the friendly and attentive waitstaff and cozy surroundings were more than enough to make up for my quibbles.
Das Notstain
Address: Schiffgasse 5, Amberg, Germany
Hours: Monday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Prices: Appetizers, 6-13 euros; entrees, 15-28 euros; desserts, 8-10 euros.
Info: www.dasnotstain.de
