Guten Tag Sweet Friends,

As you may recall, last Friday night we met two very lovely German ladies – Beatrice and Maggie – at Palladio Restaurant in Rodenkirchen. They were kind enough to suggest that we get together at Beatrice’s wine import store for a tasting followed by dinner at Aura. Beatrice offered to contact the chef and special order a vegan meal for me. Since she is in the wine biz, she knows all the local restaurant owners and chefs. Besides being a sweetheart, she’s very connected and knows everyone in town.

We talked over the weekend and decided to meet again last evening. Maggie picked us up and drove us to Beatrice and Tino’s import store – 7 Himmel, translated 7th Sky aka 7th Heaven! It was indeed heaven! We walked into a very large apartment with a kitchen, huge harvest table, several wine coolers and thousands of glasses and bottles of wine. To my great delight, the owner of B8Licht, a home store in Rodenkirchen, who we met Friday night, was there also. Her name is Kerstin and I had talked at length with her on two occasions. Turns out, her and Beatrice are friends and when Beatrice told her she met this couple from America and that the woman looked like Meg Ryan (her words, not mine), Kerstin knew it was me and asked if she could join the dinner! Not only did she join, she cooked an entire vegan meal for me!!

She prepared pan seared radicchio with almonds and herbs, sautéed “king” oyster mushrooms, lentil salad, and lentil soup. We also indulged in warm bread, green olives, good olive oil and the best balsamico I’ve ever had. Beatrice’s husband, Tito, is from Italy and a lot of the reds they import are from Italy. Two of their wine producers were also there, Angelo and Alfredo, and they were tasting several bottles of reds, whites and a rose from their vineyards. Also present was Marco, a life-long resident of Rodenkirchen; Henry, Laura and Pamela, who are friends of Beatrice and Tito (I didn’t get the exact connection); and of course dear sweet Maggie who had made me a list of vegan restaurants in Koln for me to try! Such good people!

It was a most special evening! And though it just about killed me not to sample all the wines being passed around, I did not. I admit it was hard, and I was grilled by Tito and Marco as to why I would not partake; but I held my ground. If that was a test, I passed; but I’d give myself a C-. Of course this morning, I was mighty happy that I remain sober.

The girls – myself, Beatrice, Maggie and Kerstin – plan to have dinner again next week at Aura. I’m so thrilled to have met such wonderful, warm and welcoming people, here and in Hawaii and Memphis. I’m a very lucky girl!!!

Today, we are off to Bruges for a couple of days. Lots of pix to follow, so stay tuned. Until then, tchuss!