dining in Colmar France

Many restaurants in France offer a couple of multi-course deals at different prices, as well as a full a la carte selection. Aside from the very cheapest, most set-price menus or formules in France offer at least a couple of choices for each course. In Rick's France book, one of the top restaurant recommendations for the Petite Venise neighborhood is Wistub Brenner. He says, "Their formula is freedom: You can choose any first course to go along with any main course on their €24 menu deal."

kathy,

I dined at Le Maison Rouge one night and quite enjoyed the meal (it wasn't cheap though).

Hi Kathy, I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago with dinner at Winstrub Schwendi in Colmar. It's not fancy, but the atmosphere was nice (German), and the food was good. It's mentioned in the Rick Steves France book (page 950). For lunch, try the crepes at Crep Stub Creperie Caveau - very good. Both are in the Old City Center.

Hi all, thanks for your recommendations. I do have Rick Steves France book so i have been looking at the restaurants you suggested. It's nice to hear from people that have been there. Unfortunately, I seem to be lacking in language skills. We are visiting both Germany and France and I have RS guide books and phrase/dictionary books for both countries and am doing my best to at least nail down the pleasantries. Can you tell me what to expect with trying to communicate in restaurants? appreciate your help kathy

We were in Colmar last July and absolutely loved it.....such a beautiful town! We ate at Winstubs as well....can't remember which one.....and the food was good....large quantities so 2 people may be able to share.....just depends on how hungry you are! I was the only one in our party of 4 that spoke a smattering of French and I got along fine with all restaurant staff in every establishment we went to in France. That being said, we were only in Paris, Colmar and Strasbourg. I found that if you at least greeted with a "bonjour or bonsoir"....asked politely "s'il vous plait" and thanked always with "merci beaucoup", most people were willing to help you along. Actually 90% of the staff we met everywhere spoke fluent or near fluent english. One word of caution.....if you want to eat on a Fri or Sat night....best to make reservations.....we ran into this problem and had to try 5 or 6 different places before we finally go in to eat. Have a great stay in Colmar!

First of all, don't worry. I know that Americans think that French waiters are all going to sneer at them, but they won't - I promise. And unless you actually insult them, you won't be seen as insulting.

Menus with prices are posted outside all restaurants, so you can look and make sure there is suitable food for you before going in, as well as deciding on at least one dish each (so you won't have to feel like you're fumbling).

Here's the local terminology. A menu is usually three, sometimes four courses (most commonly appetizer - called the entrée, main - not called the entrée, but rather the plat - and dessert). A formule is two courses (most commonly a main and choice of either appetizer or dessert). The carte is what we call the menu. Seven courses on a menu would be very unusual and would indicate a VERY fancy restaurant (just like in the US). Most restaurants will have both a menu and a carte, but there are exceptions; again, you can see what's posted outside before you go in.

The one thing that can cause problems is substitutions. Europeans often don't "do" them. If you don't want a dish as it is made, it's safest to order something else. Requests like "dressing on the side" or "no bacon" may or may not be honored - it's just not the way they do things. Of course, some places will have no problem with this, but others will simply ignore it and bring the original dish unaltered. Since you have allergies, you might want to get a set of cards (sold in various places online) with these translated into both French and German, so there are no mishaps. Showing a card like this is a better way to ensure that you don't get anything you shouldn't have, than just asking verbally.

Otherwise, if it's on the carte or the menu, you can order it without fear. And similarly, don't worry about what to drink (a common source of anxiety for first-timers) - order whatever you want. I like Coke Zero, and have never had so much as a raised eyebrow at this request. Getting tap water in Germany can be a problem (Germans don't drink it in restaurants). But in France, just ask for a carafe d'eau, and you'll get a bottle of tap water; you'll see that all the locals around you have done the same thing.

Hi,
Great tips and advice. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for...Appreciate all your help and insight!!!!!

I think Harold meant to say that the appetizer is called the "entree" and the main is called the "plat."

Yes, Kathy, you're right - I've corrected the post.

We stayed in Colmar for 6 days last September/October. We went to Maison Rouge. H had the ham that was on the rotisserie. It was delicious. Reservations were a must. We didn't call - just a stop by the night before we wanted to go to put our name down for the next night.
We lucked out and got a table at Chez Hansi. Another delicious meal from start to finish.
Le Comptoir de Georges - got a table outside by the canal - hearty Alsatian fare.
There are some popular places for Tarte flambee and gratins down towards the main square (?) huge crowds outside.

There is a monoprix with a good grocery section. Lots of chocolatiers and boulangeries and patisseries.

Colmar is a great place for homey, comforting food. Yes, there are a number of elegant restaurants, but lots of others as well. Read the carte outside. Don't feel like you have to order 3 courses. No one will take offense if you only order a main. The desserts, though, can be delicious and well worth the calories. Plan ahead, though, because the portions are more generous here than in, say, Paris.

I can heartily recommend a meal at the Hotel Rapp. (Oddly we stumbled on the Rapp quite by accident, & only a year later saw that it was featured in a R. S. broadcast) We were staying three days in Colmar & found it by just happening down the right street. It was easier to eat in the hotel after arriving late. We had no trouble about reservations & had a superb meal. I had an excellent goulash & my wife had a breast of duck. The duck must have been 4 feet tall, as the breast was the size of a porterhouse!. The restaurant was homey, more "gemutlich" than formal. The service was great, the ambiance was like my grandmother's dinging room. Our rich meals were accompanied with a bottle of local white. & very modestly priced. We were thankful we only had to negotiate the lobby & elevator before tumbling into bed. BTW: Petite Venise was our absolute favorite part of this jewel of a town. I suspect you'll love it there.

We had lovely dinners at both La Maison Rouge and Winstub de la Petite Venise. For a fun, casual meal go to Winstub Schwendi and sit outside on their wonderful terrace!