Dan B.
Yelp
Alte Kanzlei made for a great respite from the cold after a walk around the Stuttgart Christmas market in December. There was hot, spiced wine (glühwein) being sold on practically every street corner. But it could only sustain us so much (and I couldn't stomach more than half a cup anyway - just not my thing). Our dinner reservations were on the later side, so we took a few more turns around the market before finally heading in for shelter at the restaurant.
The setting couldn't have been nicer for such a moment. The interior was warm and inviting - stylish but not modern enough to make it un-cozy. They placed our small group at a round booth in the corner.
The menu was in German and was quite lengthy, but I knew enough food words to muddle my way through. (I found out too late they had an English version, but where's the adventure in that?)
On the drink menu, one of the beer descriptions was a complete mystery and so it piqued my interest. I asked the waiter; and it turned out it was an unfiltered lager, which I happily ordered (This is my current favorite style of German beer). Delicious; and so good I ordered another later in the meal.
As with any new restaurant in a new place, I tried to find a specialty of the house (or featured dish of the local region). i also really wanted some spaetzle, which I hadn't had in years. I found what I was looking for: The "Stuttgarter Special Filet Plate" fit all my criteria. It was a local dish on the featured meals list, and consisted of a few small cuts of pork & beef in a mushroom sauce; plus it had spaetzle and veggies on the side. Long story short: I was extremely happy with my choice. And it was not overly heavy.
Furthermore, it was quite the luxury not having to do my own research beforehand - My colleagues had picked Alte Kanzlei on a tip from a local. (And what a fine tip it was). I only had one visit here, but it was a great spot for my first full German meal of the trip. I'm a fan.