Luxembourgish food

Just thought it would be fun (after the lobster roll post) to contribute a few mentions of what is typical in Luxembourg... As a newly invited contributor, it seems I should cover something different.

The most bizarre thing that we've had was at a friends house. She is Luxembourgish and is a fabulous cook. We, and some other friends, convinced her to cook a typical Luxembourgish meal, rather than her usual French style of cooking. So she made us... hot dog soup with runner beans. It was so weird!! And this, she says, is why she doesn't usually cook Luxembourgish food!

However, this is not the end of their food choices. I must say that the Judd mat Bohnen (smoked pig neck with beans) can be ruined. I've had it once when it was very good, and once where I'd rather have been eating anything else. And in reality, their food is best when taking it away from a stand at one of the national festivals- gromperekirkelcher (appologies, Burgers, I can never spell that quite right) which are potato pancakes deep fried, or cutlets of marinated meat on a bun or the Mettwurst and Turinger, two kinds of sausage, the 2nd which can come with sauerkraut and pickles.

Other than this, it is very similar to the Alsace region of France where they mix French and German sensibilities. So that includes, Choucroute (sauerkraut with various pig bits with mustard), Flammkuchen (paper thin crusted pizza topped with creme fraiche, lardons, and possibly other items), and Spaetzle. This last is something I love- small homemade noodles often baked with some good cheese and some roasted onions on top. However, at one of my favorite restaurants, we had it with a piece of venison and its jus and another time with a sauce reduction and a slice of seared fois gras. Talk about great food!

So if you want true Luxembourgish food and you are passing through, what should you do? Go to Goethe Stuff in the center of the city, its near the rear of the Ducal Palace. Or splurge (and be sure to reserve) and go to Lea Linster's- she is in the Michelin guide and, from all accounts, absoloutely deserves it. I haven't had the chance to go, but its on my to do list!