What lurks in the Black Forest?
Dining revelations at Schwarzwälder
By Romina Tobias

Black Forest, in any Filipino’s culinary lingo, would usually mean a pastry of moist chocolate cake with layers of whipped cream and tangy morsels of cherries.  But for more than 25 years, it has gone beyond that slice of cake to clinch the end of a meal. Black Forest now also refers to a cosmos of sumptuous food and memorable dining experiences.

Black forest (Schwarzwälder) is one of Europe’s most favorite travel destinations located at the Southern end of Germany. The Schwarzwälder, literally: someone from the black forest, is diligent, nature loving, and celebrates good food all year-round. He too, has found his way to the Philippines.  

The Schwarzwälder at the Atrium in Makati is a renowned restaurant for serving authentic German cuisine. Owner and bona fide Schwarzwälder Peter Jentes has created for foreigners and locals alike, a portal to a gastronomical haven where friendly service and pleasant ambience complement the exquisite meals that are served.
 
Upon entry into Schwarzwälder, one is greeted to a fresco of bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Shelves of bottled brandies, Black Forest fruit spirits, liquors and sparkling wine all imported from Germany, give it’s interiors a warm European atmosphere.

Straight ahead is the salad and dessert bar where a variety of greens, vegetables, and pastries form a visual appetizer while one is graciously escorted to their seat. Guests may be pleasantly overwhelmed with mouth-watering entrée choices that include hearty selections of appetizers, soups, sausages, fish, and meat dishes. The Chickens are spit-roasted –a good choice for healthy eaters. The Kalbs bratwurst (veal sausage), dressed in subtly flavored gravy is slightly crusty on the outside but tender and juicy to the bite. An all-time favorite are the Crispy Pork Knuckles served with two of its staple side dishes. Sauerkraut with a tinge of mustard¸ gives the meal a little kick while the mashed, pureed, German fried or roesti potatoes sum up the savory course. A cold glass of beer on the side gives restaurant goers, a German feast. A perfect ending to a meal would be a slice of sugary pleasure such as the Chocolate Dome Cake and Mango Cream Pie.

Other treats include: Grilled Rib Eye Steak (grain fed beef with béarnaise sauce, baked potato, and roasted vegetables), Cordon Bleu (breaded pork schnitzel stuffed with ham and cheese, capellini pasta and assorted vegetables), Steak Tatar (a German specialty), and Cheese Fondue (a traditional Swiss favorite and a good conversation starter for two people)

The 300-square-meter restaurant holds the dining area and a function room that can accommodate up to 28 people. A huge percentage of Schwarzwälder’s most frequent customers are Filipino families, business executives, politicians, and celebrities. A restaurant such as this, having been around for more than a quarter of a century, will without a doubt, have a loyal following from one generation to the next. Because being acquainted with the superb flavors of Schwarzwälder is faster than having to say its name.