Schiff Mammern, Mammern, Thurgau

What’s the downside of complete anonymity ? Unlike others – no PR firm is trying to be buddy-buddy and run elbows with me. But the troubles I go through just to provide the beloved reader with the utmost realistic account of true dining events do not go completely unnoticed. In the interest of full disclosure, this meal was sponsored by an old friend of mine. In terms of returning the favor, should you ever require steel, copper or piping in larger quantities, I’ll happily hook you up with a trustworthy supplier. I can safely attest that every steel shipment I ever ordered has been of impeccable quality and to my utmost satisfaction.

The Zum Schiff in Mammern (Thurgau) is not a place you just stumble across. Their claim to fame is chicken and freshwater fish, which seems to be a pretty good promise sitting between the Rhine and farming country.

First up where some nicely, sautéed chicken liver with an extremly delicate omelette. A simple yet nice way to showcase skill and the importance of doing things right without any fuss. The pike (Hecht) dish with salted, boiled potatos and salad, followed mostly the same mantra, simple with no fuss but good. I would have enjoyed a bit more spice on the carrots and cabbage salads, they were a tad too simple for my taste. I also tried the chicken my benefactor ate, it was comparable to Emilio’s, my only gripe was with the shape of the french fries, since I believe Bocuse once said “frilly is silly!”.

Dessert was homemade ice-cream (artistically named Rahmgefrorenes) with a nice texture. The Schiff in Mammern is exactly what you want from a Landgasthof (country inn). Regional food, done well, accompanied by a dining room which oozes charm instead of sleek, contemporary chic.