Ruhrgebiet recommendations

[dipardoo]

I will be spending the best part of a week in and around Bochum in September

Does anyone have any recommendations for the Ruhrgebiet? So far, I have decided to try Art Manger in Dortmund.

Café recommendations would be just as gratefully received as smart restaurant ones.

[Strawberry]

I would highly recommend a visit at Restaurant Victorian in Duesseldorf while in the area.

Another place in Duesseldorf would be "La Potinière" on Herzogstrasse. A tiny french bistrot with a grumpy patron, but the kitchen is truly worth it. You won't find it in any restaurant guides because he doesn't want to be mentionned.

I'm sorry I can't give any recommendation closer to Bochum.

[cakewench]

I lived in Bochum with my husband before we moved to the Netherlands. I'm absolutely shocked to see anyone mention it here.

...

Okay, I'm over that now.

Unfortunately, I can't remember most of the places we liked by name. There is an excellent Thai place (we were brought there by one of his colleagues who is Thai). Also, there was some expense-account type place which he liked the one time he tried it, but we never went there together. I can get the name from him later, if you're interested.

I just checked my journal, and found the name of the Greek restaurant we liked in the area. It's called Xenos, and the address is listed as Brüderstr. 1. It's very close to the Hauptbahnhof.

If you aren't familiar with travelling and eating in Germany, it's also worth your while to check out the many döner kepab places. There are a lot of Turkish people in the area, and it seems like half of them have opened imbiss places. They are extremely cheap, and usually very good.

[dipardoo]

I know it's an odd place to end up! Bochum hardly ever garners a mention in guides to Germany.

Thank you to both of you for your suggestions. I'm visiting a friend in Düsseldorf, so might be able to try out your recommendations, Strawberry. Do you know if La Potinière is open for lunch?

[Strawberry]

I don't know if La Potinière is open for lunch, but I'll check.

The address is: Herzogstraße 23, Tel.: +49 (0)211 / 37 49 61

Another option for lunch would be one of the "breweries" downtown with local food.

I would recommend

"Im goldenen Kessel" - Bolkerstrasse

"Füchschen" - Ratinger Strasse

"Im Schlüssel" - Bolkerstrasse

[Peter B Wolf]

Not in Bochum, but in Castrop-Rauxel, yes that's a city name, closeby.

"Restaurant Goldschmieding", Dortmunderstrasse 49, Tel: 02305-32931

Try a national dish (actually from Silesia [now Poland])

'Himmel und Erde' A delicate mix of Potatoes and Apples,hot, served with sauted Duck Liver

"Brinkhoff's Stammhaus", actually in a suburb called 'Harpen', Harpener Hellweg 157, Tel: 0234-233549 (only eves)

Here is a good 'Italian': "Il Pastaio", again in a suburb: 'Wattenscheid', Lennestrasse 6, Tel: 0228-263833

And there is a 'Metzger' / Butcher / Deli: "Delikatessen Steffen", Hellweg 6, Tel: 0234-964960. Exellent pates, Salads and 'zillions of 'Wurst". Try the 'geraeucherte Leberwurst.

Good luck and let us know.

[cakewench]

dipardoo-

If you don't mind me asking: is the purpose of your trip to visit the Ruhr Universitat?

I only ask because that is why we were living there (we will be going back soon so that my husband can defend his thesis). We lived very close to the Uni.

Anyway, the reason I ask is because he reminded me that my truly favorite place to go was a pizza place just near the subway/metro stop there. There is a nice(ish) restaurant called the Mediteranee, and it has a takeout place attached to it. The pizzas there are very cheap, and it's obvious their ingredients are fresh.

It's not gourmet, but for 3 euro, it can't be beat.

(BTW, the fancy place he said he really liked is called The Living Room. It's located in city centre area)

[dipardoo]

I'm actually going for no other reason than nostalgia. I did a course at the Ruhr Universität about ten years ago and I haven't been back since.

Easyjet did a free flight offer to Dortmund, so I snapped one up. Am combining a trip to see friend in Düsseldorf with a few days of eating and drinking in the Ruhr area.

I was a student back then, so didn't have enough cash to eat out much. This time, i'll be treating myself to lots of breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

I have heard about Living Room - I'll definitely try that out. I'll also go back to my old favourite Café Konkret

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm really beginning to look forward to my trip!

[cakewench]

So you're nostalgic for the sound of clonking concrete slabs beneath your feet?

(what am I saying... maybe they didn't clonk quite so loudly, ten years ago. They sure do now, though!)

I hope you'll be able to report back on any good meals you have while you're there. Have fun!