Hotel Restaurant Hirschen - Douce Steiner

This is our second stay at the Hotel Hirschen this year and the fourth stay overall. To stress, this review focuses on the hotel services (there will be a separate restaurant review shortly). The hotel booking was done together with the restaurant booking on the website.||Undeniably, if you visit the hotel it is to eat at the restaurant. Sulzburg is a nice small village and we mostly returned after our restaurant visits in the past. Now that we live farther away, we combine it with the hotel stay. The hotel experience is in our view crafted in a way to complement the restaurant experience. Check-in is done in the restaurant (and you can have a peak at the preparations going on in the kitchen). If you arrive early, they will serve you something small with a smile. Of course, in summer, the inner courtyard is a great place to have this snack. ||To reach the rooms, be prepared to take some steps. The rooms are nicely decorated with good quality beds. Mind you, no TV, Internet or air conditioning. Just focus and get ready for the culinary adventure waiting for you. This does apply to dinner as well as to the extensive breakfast offering. And, if you have been there a few times, like we have, you will feel like returning to visit very good friends.||So, in short, if you live farther away, staying there while enjoying the restaurant is in our view a no-brainer.

Check in and welcome: Very nice and warm welcome||Room: Small bedroom, but nice and unique interior design, small bathroom (esp. shower), nice cake and fruits every day, water for free, no TV||Dinner: We decided to go for the "Douce" menu for 164 EUR a person - each course was absolutely perfect! I especially loved the dessert (the best I have ever had) and could not get enough of them! Great selection of wines! Service staff was very smart and friendly! We absolutely enjoyed our dinner!||Breakfast: Nice selection of high end food and drinks, very attentive staff||Check out: Very friendly and fast||Summary: Culinary heaven on earth! Absolutely recommendable!

It's our fourth time in three years. Every time there is a very special occasion, our choice is made and the 600km round trip worth every km.||||Douce Steiner now has 2 Michelin stars, and never ceases to surprise us. The food combinations are new, the cooking perfect, the tastes are wonderful. ||||What sets her apart from many chefs is that she remains humble and approachable, every day, she and her husband manage a team of excellent chefs, observed through the glass windows, the kitchen is calm and focussed, no hot and screaming chefs to be found here and it is reflected in the food. Food made with the best ingredients, very often local and elevated to taste the best it can. Whether foie gras or asparagus, not false notes.||||Both she and her husband are always present and ever vigilant over the dishes leaving the kitchen. She cares about what happens to the wonderful produce and she cares that her clients are getting a great plate of food, every single time. The restaurant remains down to earth, cosy, like a friends home despite her changing things like lighting or the outside space. ||||As always, we book a room because we love the breakfasts, served at the table, hot and cold options and it really sets you up for the day. And who do you find in the morning checking the teapots, Douce Steiner, not too high and mighty to lend a hand. I'm a fan, I think she deserves every recognition for the wonderful job she is doing, in and out of the kitchen.

We had the basic lunch menu, which was beautifully presented with such attention to detail. The subtle hints of spices float through each dish and lingered after each mouthful. The ambiance had not too much fuss and the service efficient and helpful. Although the 4 courses (plus extra tasty treats) was 72 euros, it offered everything one could want for a special treat. My only complaint is that our request for plain tap water 'Leitungswasser' cost nearly 3 euros for 1/2 L! It was a delight to meet Douce Steiner, who came to each table.

A dear friend introduced us to this hidden gem. We were warmly greeted by one of the owners. The service was excellent; friendly and relaxed. We opted for the sunday menu. The two complementary starters were perfect. The first course was seabass with shrimp pairing. The second course was a chicken ravioli which was outstanding. The third course was a beef steak with parsley sauce. The flavors were all remarkable. The finale was a chocolate medley. It was an unforgettable meal. We hope others have the opportunity to enjoy. The two Michelin stars are very deserved.

Douce Steiner's Hirschen is a lovely small hotel and restaurant in central Sulzburg. The reception in the restaurant was warm but they keep it low key, no 5 Star service but a friendly staff which does the job well. The food was delicious from the starter to the dessert, whereby I was the least impressed by the dessert. The boudroie and the frog legs on a pike-perch carré were my favorite dishes. We all much appreciated that the chef herself came to our table, taking the time to explain every cheese on the wagon. Their wine selection was equally appreciated by all of us.

Review for the hotel: Most people staying here come to enjoy the wonderful cuisine. The hotel itself is nice and the rooms refurbished. Everything's pristinely clean with an attention to detail. Clearly, the highlight is breakfast, though. Served by chef Douce Steiner herself, the breakfast is fantastic (see picture). Attention: No wifi, no TV, but plenty of magazines in the room.

A very fine - if traditional - meal at this Michelin establishment. Well executed dishes with interesting flavor pairings. Service attentive but not overbearing. Reasonable value for the experience.