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The Hut – The Alpine hut in the garden of Le Méridien – „"The Hut – the Alpine Pasture" is the newest gem at Le Méridien in Munich. From October 10th until December 22nd, the hotel's verdant courtyard is transformed into a haven of rustic charm and alpine atmosphere. Just stroll through the elegant lobby and you'll find yourself in front of "The Hut," a chalet crafted entirely from wood. Beautifully decorated with fairy lights, a few tables by the entrance, and a truly authentic alpine ambiance. It's the perfect setting for cold winter days, so open the wooden door and step inside.
This is what the inside of the alpine hut looks like.
What awaits you at "The Hut – The Alm"„
Let me start like this: I took a seat on my lamb-themed table at the round, sturdy wooden table, glanced at the five other group tables already set, let my gaze wander towards the windows adorned with green curtains, the wintery decorated wooden walls complete with skis, tools, and antlers, and my eyes lingered on the small, moss-green barrel on the counter in the entrance area. "Mulled Beer" was written on it in gold letters, which is also the "must-have" in a glass at The Hut – the alpine hut.
The centerpiece: the mulled beer barrel.
Besides mulled beer, a proper alpine atmosphere, and lively sing-along music, a two-page menu is also offered on wooden clipboards. Appetizers, soups, main courses, and desserts. What I like best is that they really only serve food that you would order at an alpine hut. Whether it's the menu, the atmosphere, or a bit of everything, I'm not entirely sure, but within minutes I truly felt like I was on an alpine pasture high up in the mountains, one that had been climbed with sweat and plenty of muscle power. After a few sips of mulled beer, we even joked at the table that we wouldn't be surprised if a skier with a frozen beard and heavy ski boots walked in – mind you, this was only about 300 to 400 meters from Munich's main train station.
The Hut salad: A really good bread salad
Food offerings and evaluation
Before we ate, my companion and I treated ourselves to a mulled beer. A Belgian beer with 61% alcohol by volume, which is aged on cherries for a long time during production, heated to 60 degrees Celsius, and kept warm in a small wooden barrel using a flow heater. It wasn't long before we got hungry – as is typical in an alpine setting. 😉 We glanced at the menu. The three different appetizers started at €8 (for a portion of "Obazda with radishes and a pretzel") and went up to €16 (for the "Munich-style snack platter"). My companion and I opted for "The Hut" salad, a deliciously dressed bread salad with grapes, bread, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions (for €12). Those who prefer to start with soup can get a "Graubünden barley soup" or a "pumpkin and orange foam soup with Styrian pumpkin seed oil" for €9.
The delicious champagne and truffle fondue including bread, vegetables and potatoes
The selection of main courses continues in the same authentic vein, offering – just like you'd expect in an alpine hut – only four different dishes. For €19, there's the "Bavarian Pan-Fried," for €21 the "Venison Goulash with Red Cabbage, Potato Dumplings, and Cranberries," for €25 the "Viennese Schnitzel or Munich-Style Veal Schnitzel with Potato and Wild Mushroom Salad or Bacon and Roast Potato," and for €21 or €25, a fondue in two different variations. The classic option is the "Glacier Fondue," but for something a little different, there's the "Champagne and Truffle Fondue" (€25). So... guess what my companion and I ordered? Exactly! 🙂 …and let me tell you, sitting in a mountain hut like that (right in the middle of the city), with a pot of hot Swiss cheese, champagne, and truffles in front of you, along with a glass or bottle of white wine (a dry 2015 Chardonnay "Chablis") – that's something truly special. 🙂 The fondue was divine, the cheese wonderful, and the champagne, just like the truffle, had a subtle but not overpowering flavor. A real gourmet meal.
This is how mulled beer is served. Warning! Highly addictive. 😉
For a sweet finish, you can choose between "apple strudel with vanilla sauce and vanilla ice cream" or "warm Kaiserschmarrn with plum compote" – each for €7. Unfortunately, after a starter and a cheese fondue, even I couldn't manage it. I'll have to try it next time I visit the alpine pasture. 🙂 I also learned that for the last "open month," they're offering a daily special, meaning a dish that will only be available on that one day – in addition to the regular menu.
Service and everything else
The service is exceptionally friendly, relaxed, and attentive. Perhaps a bit more so than you'd expect at a traditional mountain hut, but that's just part of the charm of "The Hut" at Le Méridien. Young women attend to your needs, ensuring your glasses are full and asking if everything was enjoyable. (Beware...they'll keep offering you mulled beer... ;-)) Young and old, locals and tourists alike, and anyone who loves that cozy, comfortable winter atmosphere – even without having hiked up to the hut – will feel right at home here.
Opposite the seating area is the bar with a mulled beer barrel.
Ambience
It doesn't get more rustic than this. As mentioned above: sheepskins, wood everywhere, Bavarian decor, and everything exactly as it would be if you stopped at a mountain hut after a long day on the slopes or after a hike. Super cozy! There are also small tables outside where you can sit if, for example, you just want to quickly grab a mulled beer with friends or if it's warm enough to enjoy the winter atmosphere outside the hut. The view from the hut directly onto the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the courtyard, right in front of the hut, is also lovely. It's an ambiance that attracts not only hotel guests from all over the world, but also locals and Munich residents.
Hard facts and personal information
Interesting for you: The Hut – The Alpine Pasture can be rented for exclusive events and individual (Christmas) parties for up to 35 people (with rearranged tables and a headboard), or booked by the table. Bavarian cuisine is offered from the menu, or a three-course set menu, also consisting of dishes from the Alpine Pasture menu. Advance reservations are essential. All good things must come to an end. And so, at the end of December, it's already time to say "Goodbye The Hut!" and the Alpine Pasture will be dismantled until the beginning of next winter.
Although the Le Méridien's alpine hut is making its debut this year, it's already clear that it will be back again next winter. If you want to experience it in 2017 – which I highly recommend – you should definitely call ahead and make a reservation. Since The Hut – The Alpine Hut is quite cozy, meaning there are only a few seats, the tables are designed so that you can not only drink (mulled beer) but also eat. After my experience, I can tell you: there are worse things! 😉 So grab it and don't miss out on this 100% alpine feeling right in the heart of Munich (!).
+++ This article was created in cooperation with Le Méridien Munich. Thank you! +++
The Hut – The Alpine Pasture | Le Méridien | Bayerstraße 41, 80333 Munich
Website
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Contact via telephone: 089 24 220
Pictures:
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- The Hut – the Alpine pasture; Winter magic at Le Méridien
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- This is how mulled beer is served. Warning! Highly addictive. 😉
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- The delicious champagne and truffle fondue including bread, vegetables and potatoes
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- Opposite the seating area is the bar with a mulled beer barrel.
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- The centerpiece: the mulled beer barrel.
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- This is what the inside of the alpine hut looks like.
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- The Hut salad: A really good bread salad
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