Kleinmarkthalle Magic in Frankfurt, Germany.
In most cities, you’ll discover sneaky spots where locals gather to trade the ingredients for living. Nutrition is sourced for the body, and a sense of belonging is secured for the soul. They’re treasure chests, often hidden in plain sight, such is the case with Frankfurt’s Kleinmarkthalle.
The entrance is non-descript; well, at least the entrance that I stepped through was. It’s not far removed from the exclusive club entrances that provide clues for their tribe but otherwise hide in plain sight from the heaving crowds.
I'm a produce market junkie. The Adelaide Central Market is my church. So, whenever I Google a city's attractions, I also hunt down the local pages to find these heavenly havens. If those within the Kleinmarkthalle felt a slight shift in pressure when I stepped into the room, that would have been from my heart exploding a little with joy.
As anticipated, the market aisles were bustling with locals sipping coffee and nibbling on tapas while shopping for their fresh local produce. Above us was a terrace with a gallery of quaint restaurants tucked into the tiniest spaces but bursting with energy and aromas.
As is the legacy of war, the original building was bombed in 1944 during World War II. It was reconstructed in 1954, and all the memories and love that made it so important to the community were re-planted and nurtured, resulting in the thriving market we found today.
It became apparent that our long-haul lethargy was getting the better of me when I dropped my camera into somebody's bowl of olives. Not only was I losing my grip on items, but also my sense of appropriateness. Time for rest and nourishment.
I had three "must try" gourmand boxes to tick while in Frankfurt. #1 Frankfurter Sausage, #2 Schnitzel with Grüne Soße (Green Sauce), and #3 Apfelwein.
With item #1 already ticked off, I had two to go and was delighted to discover that Daheim in der Kleinmarkhalle served both.
I'm lactose-free out of necessity, not choice, so I was cautious about the Grüne Soße in which seven herbs (borage, chervil, garden cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel, and chives) are blended with sour cream. However, it's iconic, and I've suffered regrets from previous foodie experiences that I'd eliminated due to dietary issues. So, I popped two Lact-aid pills. Worst-case scenario, I didn't like it, but at least I tried it.
While the soundtrack of our schnitzels frying did the ol' Pavlov upon our appetites, the charismatic proprietor (of whose name I failed to secure, but whose image I will place on the top shelf alongside my favourite memories) brought out "must try" item #3. Apfelwein! Wine made from apples. An easy-drinking, dry and refreshing thirst quencher with a satisfyingly tart aftertaste.
Then, our chef came from the kitchen with two plates heaving with home-cooked-style heaven. The schnitzel had that beautiful light fry and shape/density of a perfectly tenderised pork fillet, that received more love and attention than any large, pub-style venue would invest in their offerings.
The Grüne Soße lived up to the hype. Not only did I like it, but I poured it over my schnitzel with the confidence brought about by my fortified stomach (note to self: buy stocks in Lact-aid). Suffice it to say, it was herbaceous, and the tartness of the sour cream cut through the schnitzels crumbing and golden, fried potatoes.
We had selected a small table on the terrace overlooking the market stalls. The sounds, colours, and energy pulsing from beneath us were a divine accompaniment to our meals.
Our dining experience was far removed from the scenario I'd feared; finding ourselves in a restaurant heaving with fellow "tick box tasters" and being served quick-win foods from a massive kitchen. In fact, it was sublime in its authenticity and sincerity.
Before heading off, we chatted with our new pal about the restaurant, our travels and his recommendations for what we should do next. We followed his instructions and enjoyed a beautiful walk back to our hotel, where we finally pulled our shoes off and signed off the day with full bellies and hearts. Danke
Head to dusty_cowgirl_discoveries on Instagram to check out more photos from Frankfurt, Germany.
