After spending the evening enjoying Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, I wake up somewhere along the German and Austria border.
I am on my way to see Neuschwanstein Castle about a 2 hour drive south of Munich but take a slight detour to Austria.
With Austria so close by I decide to revisit.
In the late 1980's I had previously tour Austria by train, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna all a part of my itinerary.
Unfortunately, that was in the days before blogs and inexpensive digital cameras. My visit this time is a short one but well worth it.
A beautiful drive along Highway 11 and the fall colors remind me of Austrian countryside.
Mandatory pictures at the now non-distinct border crossing.
Only mere signs tell one country from the other.
No more guards or passports to show.
In Scharnitz, I seek out the first reasonable looking place for a good sampling of Austrian food and beer.
At Gasthof Risserbof, I am greeted by an elderly couple and arrive just behind a large group of students on some type of field trip.
Fortunately, they are not ordering lunch and sit rather quietly in another are of the restaurant.
No competition when I order a refreshing cold Puntigamer beer.
Gasthof offers a daily lunch special but today I opt for the deer stew with potatoes, cranberries and red pickled cabbage.
The stew has a mushroom flavored gravy that covers the entire plate. I have had venison chili before but I never knew deer meat could be so tender. I am surprised at the wonderful sweet flavor of the dish.
At first I thought the sweet flavor was in the gravy but on further investigation using Chief Inspector Clouseau type skills, sacre blu, I discover the flavor is in the meat!
I show my disgust by returning an empty plate to the kitchen with no room for desert. This matter will be referred to the home office and taken up by Chief Dreyfus himself.
Austrian Countryside
I leave Gasthof stunned and filled with culinary pleasure. My journey continues back along Highway 11 and with a full stomach the scenery seems even more beautiful.
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