In Frankfurt’s Old Town

My wife, Arlene, and I went to Frankfurt, Germany, for the Christmas markets and were surprised to find a paucity of hotels in Old Town.

• After searching the Internet, we found the small, family-owned Hotel am Dom (Kannengiessergasse 3, 60311 Frankfurt am Main; phone 0 69 138203 0), which we can recommend.

It’s adjacent to the Dom Saint Bartholomew cathedral, in the heart of Old Town, within five to 10 minutes’ walk of the three Christmas markets at the Römerburg, Paulsplatz and Mainkai. It’s also near the Zeil (Frankfurt’s famous shopping street), various museums and the Opera House.

The hotel was renovated recently and all 30 rooms have facilities en suite and a wireless LAN Hotspot, modem access and TV. A room cost €120 (near $166) per night (suite, €160), tax and buffet breakfast included, Dec. 8-10, 2010. The staff are English-speaking and extremely helpful and courteous. There is an elevator.

• Adjoining and managed by the hotel is the restaurant Paulaner am Dom (Domplatz 6, 60311 Frankfurt am Main; phone 069 20 976890), specializing in southern Bavarian food. It was a gourmet’s delight.

Arlene and I had sumptuous goulash soup (€4.5), better than any we have ever had in Hungary.

For the main course, I had a venison cutlet with port sauce, garnished with fried oyster mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and croquettes for €18.80 ($26). Arlene had fried veal liver with fried apple slices, onion rings, mashed potatoes and red cabbage (€13.90). A half-liter of beer cost €2.5. The portions were so large, we both skipped dessert.

BERNARD GOODHEAD
La Jolla, CA