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Fish dinner on Ash Wednesday at Donisl on Marienplatz Ash Wednesday is just around the corner. I don't know about you, but even if you're not particularly interested in it, it's well known that Munich restaurants serve a lot of delicious fish on this day. However, there's much more to Ash Wednesday than that, and it's steeped in deep-rooted traditions. So, I decided to take a closer look and even asked one of my favorite restaurants for traditional Bavarian cuisine, the Donisl on Marienplatz.

Fischessen am Aschermittwoch Skreifilet_1

Skrei fillet

Eating fish on Ash Wednesday: meaning and background

Honestly, who knows the origin, history, and background of Ash Wednesday? Exactly… I was the same, to be honest. And whether you're religious or not, you should know a little bit about it, right? 😉 – So instead of immediately eyeing the menu, I looked up Ash Wednesday first. You all probably know that this marks the start of Lent, which lasts 46 or 40 days (from February 14th to Holy Saturday, March 31st, excluding Sundays). But why does it last exactly that long? – The length of Lent is reminiscent of Jesus' 40-day fast in the desert and his resistance to the devil's temptation. The name "Lent," however, goes back to an early church custom, and at the beginning of this period, penitents were once sprinkled with ashes – the symbol of transience, repentance, and regret. It's not quite so wild anymore; no, today the faithful receive an ash cross on their foreheads from the priest, the ashes coming from palm/olive branches from the Palm Sunday of the previous year. And? Did you know all that?

Matjes

Why am I telling you this? Because, strictly speaking, starting on Ash Wednesday, which this year is February 14th, 2018, Christians are supposed to abstain from alcohol and meat for 40 days, according to tradition. This is also the origin of the tradition of eating fish on Ash Wednesday. This is permitted because fish don't bleed when cooked. If you're now worried that you won't be able to get drunk on Valentine's Day – also February 14th – because you're single – don't panic! 😉 On February 14th itself, schnapps and beer are still allowed, according to old custom. The reason: beer promotes the growth of a loved one, and schnapps repels mosquitoes. If you're thinking, "Who actually does that?", ha, think again! – 65 percent of Bavarians fast. Eastern and Northern Germany lag slightly behind at 50 percent, but quite a few still take the fasting period seriously.

As for the preferred fish choice, herring has become the most popular and is often traditionally served on Ash Wednesday – partly because it helps to detoxify the body after the hectic Carnival season. Herring also contains valuable protein and fatty acids, as well as little fat, making it easily digestible and supporting a healthy diet. However, menus and dishes featuring various types of fine fish and seafood are also very popular during Lent. For example, carp tastes delicious and, with its very low fat content (similar to a lean beef fillet), offers the perfect conditions for a healthy feast.

…and why stop by Donisl for that?

Salmon

I have already told you about the Donisl and its values and traditions (hereThus, the cozy inn has dedicated itself to preserving these traditions. A wonderful thing, because traditions are much more than "just" old, handed-down customs. They are subject to constant change and are influenced by modern times – but at the Donisl, fortunately, without forgetting their origins. Through various events throughout the year, and sometimes as part of the "Bavarian Tradition Today – Live & Experience" campaign, the Donisl demonstrates the different ways in which tradition can be combined with modernity.

A must-try: the traditional Ash Wednesday fish dinner, presented with a specially curated menu, clearly a labor of love. Chef Bernhard Maier and his team deliberately introduce a welcome change from the usual Bavarian fare on Ash Wednesday. It quickly becomes apparent that the restaurant seizes the opportunity to combine the tradition of eating fish with the cosmopolitan flair of the Donisl. Maier – himself a great admirer of fresh fish and regional produce – puts it this way: "We are delighted to be able to cook beyond Bavarian traditions and showcase the customs and cultures of other countries."„

Ceviche

The Ash Wednesday menu at Donisl

I was given a sneak peek beforehand. It's worth coming by hungry and giving fish a (culinary) chance. They serve a variety of starters and main courses, in keeping with Lent. For example, you can start with "Finished Fish Soup with Vegetables and Rouille Sauce" (for €5.50), "Ceviche with Seafood" (for €12), or "Matjes Herring from Brook Trout Fillet with Homemade Potato and Chive Espuma" (for €11.80 / main course: €17.50).

For main courses, priced between €17 and €24, you can expect delicacies such as "Mussels 'Rhenish style' with root vegetables," "Grilled cod fillet with fennel and bell pepper vegetables," "Mackerel baked in parchment paper," "Baked carp fillet with warm potato and endive salad," "Marinated salmon fillet," and "Grilled pike-perch fillet with bacon lentils and finger noodles." The dishes are prepared with great finesse and creativity. The fresh ingredients are skillfully combined and presented in individual arrangements. If that doesn't offer variety and make every fish lover's heart beat faster (and get through Lent more easily), then I don't know what does.

Hard facts and information

Since you now have absolutely no reason to simply ignore Lent or at least not give it a try, I hope this little glimpse into the Ash Wednesday fish menu at Donisl has whetted your appetite and that you've learned something new as well. I've already picked my favorites and will probably go for the fish soup and the carp. See you on Ash Wednesday? (You can celebrate Valentine's Day and your love another time, but not good fish… ;-))

+++ This article was created in cooperation with Donisl. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Donisl | Fish dinner on Ash Wednesday | Weinstraße 1, 80333 Munich
Website
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Breakfast from 10:00 AM; hot meals served from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
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Contact via telephone: 089 242939-0

Pictures:

Ceviche