A season not to miss: Cafehof @ Rothenburg

Here there, everywhere. White Asparagus is a seasonal specialty, especially during spring. By the time this entry gets out, it is probably long gone and over but just for the interested...in Europe, the season lasts for about 2 months from May to June. Wiki says...Most asparagus in Germany is white, as it is grown covered in soil in order to prevent photosynthesis. This process prevents the asparagus from turning green and results in a sweeter and more tender taste. It is generally harvested from late April to early June. In Germany, it is known as "Königliches Gemüse" (Royal Vegetable).

Unlike the restaurants in Singapore that price them so dearly, these are almost commodity there (no surprise really!). Our German guide reminded us to try out Spargels if we could and I had to. Having thrown a princessy fit about missing the royal vegetables in Wurzburg, I had to eat them in Rothenburg, the next stop along the Romantic Road.

These were sighted in the fresh product market we stumbled upon...and I was this tempted to buying some back!

More of the temptations...6,50€ for a kilo of it!

Walking past window displays like these further fuelled the desire.

In the most spoilt way ever...the Princess wants it, she got her wish. ;p

We shyed away from the restaurants packed with tourists, clearly tourist traps...ironical when the whole town is a tourist attraction! Anyway, into this quaint looking cafe we headed!

So very European..

Who cares if the menus are haphazardly printed...I was there for spargel! All things spargel infact.

White Asparagus Soup (3,60€)

Creamy and rich with hints of asparagus, down to the last drop...it was sheer enjoyment. Pity they did not serve bread rolls with it.

White Asparagus with Roasted Potatoes and Hollandaise Sauce (10,50€)

Typical german way of serving up white asparagus. Four sticks of royal vegetables that I flew half a continent for. Tender, sweet and so very juicy...white asparagus are a huge cry from the green equivalents. Juice spills out almost naturally of these, so much so the water content of these are close to Chinese Cabbage, only much more! Their hollandaise sauce is so very different from those attempted at Rider's Cafe or Halia...milky and no trace of sourness!

A simple side of roast potatoes dusted with parsley...gratifying.

White Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce and Bratwurst (15,30€)

Miscommunication resulted in another order of Spargel but we welcomed it anyhow! Uniquely german with bratwurst but the focus was really the white asparagus.

The first encounter with white asparagus...I'm glad I tried it!


Cafehof
Rothenburg