Bonding over food, culture, and philosophy in Frankfurt

When I contacted eat-the-world, I was expecting a food tour through a pleasant neighborhood.

What I got was a most enjoyable afternoon discussing the important things in life — food, history, culture, politics, values, and passions — with an incredible woman from Frankfurt.

Frankfurt Food and Culture Tour

Eat-the-world offers food tours in many cities in Germany, and I hope they have plans to expand soon because I had an amazing time.  I get the impression that most of the tours (at least in Frankfurt) are given to groups of Germans. In a way, I think that gives the tours a more local feel.

I met my tour guide Karen in the Nordend. I had been staying in this neighborhood for a few days and was pleasantly surprised to discover that this tour was about much more than food.

As we wandered through the quiet, pretty Nordend mixed with original homes built during the Wilhelmina period that survived the bombings as well as post-war constructions, Karen gave me a history lesson on some of the interesting aspects of Frankfurt’s past.

 

While the food was certainly delicious (getting to that soon), what impressed me the most about this walking food tour was the amount of knowledge I gained about the city, as well as a special insight into the culture that I never would have gotten on my own.

I couldn’t even begin to describe it all here. Conversation went from the famously wealthy Rothschilds banking family to the significance of a restaurant in tribute to Harvey Milk to Gunther Denmig’s Stolperstein Project.

 

We talked about the current issues associated with gentrification in the Nordend as well as some of the more amusing observations in the neighborhood such as SUV strollers and guerrilla gardening.

I’m gushing about this super-cool woman I met, and I have to share some of the fantastic food she introduced me to as well.

Frankfurt is a very international city, and this food tour showcased the best of a variety of cultures and specialties. What made the food even more special is Karen’s knowledge of the proprietors and stories about how they got started.

Italian Delight at Olive

 

Owner Maike is living her dream of running an Italian food shop with a focus on high-quality products.  She personally prepared this tray of salami, cheese, olives, and the most delicious ham I have ever tasted.

She is proud to source her products from an Italian butcher who lives just outside of Frankfurt, so everything is fresh and doesn’t travel far to get to her shop and then to her customers’ kitchen tables.

 

I wish I had bought this handmade pasta and a bottle of wine to take home.

 

Olive has no website, but you can find them on Bornheimer Landstrasse 10.

As we ate and walked, I was filled with questions. Karen was happy to provide her knowledge as well as her opinions on living a fulfilling life.

The best thing to do when you travel is get lost.

Couscous Perfected at Nordlicht

Owner Loop has created a “world kitchen and bar” with a menu based on fresh, seasonal ingredients and a creative kitchen.  If I lived in Frankfurt, this would be my go-to restaurant for a nice meal out.

Michis Schokoatelier

 

While I enjoyed everything that crossed my lips on this tour, dessert stood out (on par with the fabulous chocolate cookie in Amsterdam).

Michis Schokoatelier sources chocolate from around the world, and they even display photos from the farms.

 

This shop is a chocolate lover’s dream. So many options to choose from, all created in-house by hand. They even offer classes and chocolate and wine/ whiskey tastings.

The Sandweg Kugel is a MUST.  This mixture of pistachio and marzipan covered in milk or dark chocolate is absolute perfection.

(So good I went back and bought more to carry across an ocean and share with my family.)

 

As we learned more about each other’s lives, Karen and I discovered we share an Ohio connection. Beyond that we have a lot in common, including a shared love of travel and learning, as well as an appreciation for the freedom that living simply can provide.

I hope to be as interesting and dynamic as Karen one day. I was flattered when she told me I remind her of herself when she was younger.  One of the best experiences in life is sharing great food and great ideas with someone who gets you.

I will end with another quote from Karen that I hope to always have in mind.

You have to do something for your soul.

 

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Disclosure:  I was a guest of eat-the-world, however, there was no personality test administered to find the perfect tour guide for me.