In our old life, as well as Royal Parks and Palaces, we had a certain city on our doorstep (as you’ve heard many many times). Once children came along, and the daily commute into London was finally over for me after 8 long (but mostly fun) years, we found ourselves rarely going in to “town”. I guess when you know that a place is always there, and you can visit any time you like, you never do… It was easy to take for granted anyway.
And with Munich literally on our doorstep here, but with the knowledge that we most definitely aren’t “forever residents”, we try to pop in as often as we can. There’s always a new area to discover, something we haven’t seen before, and of course the lure of foods that have become favourites, or that we haven’t actually tried yet.
And so, with the added urgency of the realisation that two of our passports are about to expire, and upcoming travel ahead, we ventured into town in almost near hurricane conditions (no exaggeration) at the weekend in order to get passport photos done, amongst other things. Three failed attempts later (including one set taken with eye levels too low, correct formats rejected by me because I thought it was some odd lacy border – it was the biometric one that I needed – and one set rejected by the small girl because “she didn’t look right” and is currently far too young to realise that nobody ever looks “right” in a passport photograph!), and with successful photos now in hand it was most definitely time for lunch.
It might have been stormy, but the sun was shining, so we walked the length of Leopoldstrasse and Ludwigstrasse, and on to Odeonsplatz – past arches, lions (and on this occasions polar bears) and into another kind of Royal Palace for lunch – The Pfalzer Weinstube is housed in a wing of the Residenz, once home to Bavarian Kings and other important folk for around 400 years.
If you are visiting Munich but hate beer, and think you might have limited choices, fear not. There are plenty of options to choose from in your average bier keller alone (including a wide range of fruit juices both with and without fizzy water, and usually a couple of wines too), but if wine is definitely more your thing, you might want to visit somewhere that specialises in that (purely from the Pfalzer region alone here though – the clue is in the name) and doesn’t even serve beer – this place should definitely do the trick. Choose from thimble sized tasting glasses (OK, slightly bigger than thimble sized at 25ml), medium respectable sized glasses, or great big weinschorle (spritzer) glasses.
And the reason we often end up here after a walk about town (as well as the wine obviously)? Demands of Flammkuchen for lunch from certain small persons. This beautifully thin crisp dough, topped with creme fraiche, onions and speck is particularly good here, and served ceremoniously on massive chopping boards (a couple of which take up the whole table).
Do book a table in the front room on a weekend (during the week you can usually sit down wherever there’s a space) where you have a choice of things to keep you amused – perusing the vast wine card, admiring the gorgeous vaulted ceilings, the people watching of locals that have been coming here for years, and/or admiring the glorious artwork (this place is attached to the Residenz after all). Don’t wonder if the painting that looks familiar is Henry the VIII by the way – it’s not, he’s a Bavarian Prince apparently.
Cass@frugalfamily says
Ooh you#ve just reminded me that my passport is out of date – can’t wait to get rid of that photo ;-)
Emma says
Haha… Thanks Cass! :D
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
Flammkuchen is a fabulous word and looks delicious too.
I was so pleased to renew my passport a few years ago – had lived with a hideous one throughout my thirties: an extremely short hair-cut, coupled with a blast of wind before I sat down, made me look bald.
Emma says
Trish. This made me laugh so much… I am so pleased you have a new photo! :D
Becky says
oh I have never been yet what a wonderful looking city
Emma says
It is beautiful. Thanks Becky! :)
Michelle Twin Mum says
Oh yum, there is always great food porn here! Mich x
Emma says
Thanks Mich! :D x
Emma says
we need to get two passports updated but never venture near photo booths! I so need to sort this out before I book our summer holidays!
Emma says
Such a boring job isn’t it? Thanks Emma (:
Polka Dot Family says
My husband decided to have his passport photo done wearing an England football shirt, needless to say we get stopped at passport control every time!
Such a lovely place to sit and eat, the Flammkuchen looks so yummy!
Emma says
That’s hilarious! Thank you! :)
otilia says
Beautiful photos! That “pizza”looks really yum! Nobody is allowed to look at my picture in my passport :)
Emma says
I think I am going to be like that with my new one when it arrives Otilia! :D
Liz Weston aka @TheLizWeston says
We were looking at first passport photos the other day – Elliott is truly a baby and William is a toddler. So lovely. When I think about it, it’s strange that they allow them to continue for so many years with them – they are totally different now!
The lunch, was it pizza? It looks like it kind of is?
Emma says
I know Liz, strange isn’t it? Also makes for many awkward moments when we come home as passport control address the children to ask if its them and I am not allowed to answer in case I have stolen them or something… I think every two years instead of five might be more realistic! :)
Kate Takes 5 says
How gorgeous your blog is looking! I spent a weekend in munich once and loved it – the beer halls are fabulous!
Emma says
Thanks Kate! Yes, they are definitely a bonus! :D
Jazzygal says
Such a stunning city, with such interesting architecture. I love the shapes in the ceiling…. like parasols, particularly in your first photo.
We had a very similar sunny yet stormy day here in Ireland yesterday too….. xx
Emma says
Thank you J! Strange weather all round I think… We have snow now, but not as much as we should have! xx
Grace says
Yummm I know exactly where you were, even where you were sitting – maybe in the same table as we did? Highly recommend that restaurant and the flammkucken! x
Emma says
Not the same table sadly, someone else had already pinched that! Flammkuchen was still as good though! :) xx
Alison says
What a lovely place to eat, and I love the glasses as well. I have the same problem with passport photos, I always look dreadful
Emma says
Thanks Alison, it must be a global problem! :D