Restaurant & Bar Awards 2020

www.lux-review.com Page 9 LUX Restaurant & Bar Awards 2020 On the site of the restaurant Gasthof Heinzinger there has stood an establishment for centuries. It was first mentioned in 1389, in the certificate of sale on the ownership of the Eisenhofener to the citizen Hudler, when there is talk of a tavern on a road in the village of Rottbach which connected Überacker and the northern hinterland. It is thought that the Fugger commercial vehicles ran on this road, which was certainly beneficial for the ‘taferne’. The tavern flourished over the years and on June 20th 1929, Sofie Treffler sold the establishment to the Heinzinger family through the landlord Merkl. In 1954, when the hall was added and the venue extended, the tavern began to resemble the restaurant as it looks today. Still owned by the Heinzinger family, the building is one of the oldest in Rottbach and has seen its fair share of history, including a string of celebrity guests, not least the artist Martin Ludwig who lived in Puchheim and died in 1999. Since 2016, Denis Michael Kleinknecht has been the tenant, Head Chef and sommelier of Gasthof Heinzinger, whilst his wife, Nicole, is host and chef de rang. Together the dynamic couple specialise in providing a fine dining experience, mixed with traditional Bavarian cuisine, and will only use meat and produce from local farmers, ripened to perfection in its own dry ager. Denis is a member of ‘green chefs’ and the Slow Food Chef Alliance, which engages chefs in actively championing small-scale producers, and promoting good quality local and sustainably produced food. He tells us more about the restaurant’s objectives to its customers. “Here at Gasthof Heinzinger, we aim to offer the best produce and meat from local farmers, a seasonal variety including game from local hunters, organic grown produce, and a fine selection of wines and spirits. We have more than 40 wines on the menu. More than just a steakhouse, the gastronomic delight that is Gasthof Heinzinger regularly surprises its customers with a unique dining experience. We speak to current tenant and chef, Denis Kleinknecht, about the restaurant as it is crowned Steakhouse of the Year 2020 – Germany. Gasthof Heinzinger A Taste of Bavaria “More than 80 percent of my ingredients are produced in the region,” he continues with pride. “It is very important to me that the starting point of every dish is always a good basic product.” Denis repeatedly combines Bavarian cuisine with modern, international influences and thus offers his guests surprising and extraordinary taste experiences. However, one of the challenges that Denis and Nicole have faced with this unique approach is the transition from a traditional Bavarian inn, serving ale and bratwurst, into an upscale fine dining restaurant and steakhouse. “Our customers are often so surprised by the quality of the food and drink,” exclaims Denis. “Meanwhile the majority of our customers seek out, and indeed appreciate, the high quality and perfection of our cooking and service skills.” Despite the controversy of combining fine dining with traditional Bavarian fayre, there appears to be no lack of customers, and also staff, who are clamouring to eat and work at the establishment. “Our work atmosphere can be summed up in one word: family!” states Denis. “We offer good payment, great benefits and regular working hours, plus special training in food and drink. And we are always getting unsolicited applications – people really do want to work with us!” Contact: Denis Michael Kleinknecht Company: Gasthof Heinzinger Address: Weiherhauser Straße 1, 82216 Maisach / Rottbach Telephone: +491735750704 Web Address: www.gasthof-heinzinger.de