Donatien Maître Eclair (Strasbourg, FRANCE) ★★★★☆

It was good to be back in Strasbourg. I missed the stunning medieval architecture, the unique mix of French and German cultures, and the historic centre which it was very walkable. Our drive from Baden-Baden was easy, but once we reached the heart of Strasbourg (and by “heart”, I mean the historic centre), things got a lot tougher. With all the traffic, pedestrians, and one-way streets, it proved to be a nightmare for any driver, especially one with zero patience.

And because we missed our destination a couple of times, we ended up driving in huge circles just to get back on track. But hey—we made it. We’re finally here, safe and sound.

For the first order of business, our little nugget peeled off to check out his toy stores, while yours truly headed straight to the first pastry shop in France on this trip — Donatien Maître Éclair.

Donatien Maître Éclair is technically a specialty éclair shop on bustling Grand’Rue. Founded by pastry chef Donatien Fehr, it offers classic French éclairs with an innovative, modern twist spanning both sweet and savory flavors.

While the savory options including the Scandinave (salmon) and the Aperitif Éclair (goat cheese mousse, olive cake, sun-dried tomatoes, and hazelnuts) all looked promising, I knew I couldn’t let my sweet tooth down this afternoon.

Éclair Caramel Beurre Salé (Salted Butter Caramel) — How could I resist the chef’s signature creation?

I was first attracted by its shining golden color, but it ended up tasting even better than it looked.

This beautiful dessert strikes a delicate, rich balance between deep caramel sweetness and velvety textures, with an explosive crunch from the roasted peanuts on top. The salted caramel cream adds richness with savory notes, perfectly matched with a mascarpone filling right alongside the crisp choux pastry, a 40% milk chocolate glaze, and roasted peanuts on top.

The heavy rain cost me the chance to visit a couple more pastry shops on my list, including Avellina, also on Grand’Rue. Let’s hope I still get the chance tomorrow.

Food Rating: 7.2/10

Price: €€€

Address: 111 Grand'Rue, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Tel: +33 (0)9 5167-9955

Website: http://donatien-maitre-eclair.fr/

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 8:00pm (Sun - Thu), 10:00am - 9:00pm (Fri - Sat) 

My First-Ever Vineyard Visit in Germany — Weingut Kopp

Stepping into Germany’s Baden region for my first-ever vineyard visit felt like walking directly into a postcard.

Nestled near the Black Forest in Sinzheim, Weingut Kopp instantly captured my imagination striking a perfect balance between sleek, modern architecture and deep-rooted tradition.

The estate is surrounded by gently rolling hills covered in meticulously manicured vines, stretching toward the horizon. Breathing in the crisp valley air, I knew right away that simply standing among these historic slopes would be an unforgettable introduction to European wine culture.

The highlight of the journey was exploring the unique terroir and landscape that make this boutique winery so special. Walking along the edge of the vineyards, I looked out over the distinct Feigenwäldchen and Altenberg slopes, learning how Baden’s volcanic and limestone soils shape the future harvest.

Little one got his first taste of vineyard life, getting up close with the vines and experiencing the magic of being surrounded by grapevines.

Even without a formal tasting, seeing where the grapes grow and observing the meticulous care given to the land provided a profound lesson in how dedication to sustainable viticulture becomes the foundation for world-class bottles.

Rather than a traditional glass in hand, my experience was defined by a sensory appreciation of the winery’s stunning architecture and serene atmosphere. The contemporary design blends seamlessly into the natural landscape, offering panoramic views of the Baden countryside — views that are worth the trip all on their own. Engaging with the passionate team and learning about their acclaimed Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) gave me a deep respect for the craftsmanship behind the cellar doors. It also reminded me that a vineyard’s story can be just as intoxicating as its wine.

Needless to say, I left with some of their most prized bottles in my hands.

Leaving the estate with a newfound appreciation for German viticulture, I realized that my first winery visit in Germany had set an incredibly high bar. Weingut Kopp delivered far more than a destination — it offered an authentic, visual connection to the land and to the people who pour their hearts into every vintage. For anyone hoping to discover the modern, exciting side of German winemaking, walking the grounds of this Baden gem is the perfect place to start the journey. I left feeling inspired, and genuinely eager to return for a pour in the future.

Price: €€€

Address: Ebenunger Straße 23, 76547 Sinzheim, Germany, Germany

Tel: +49 7221 803601

Website: https://www.weingut-kopp.com/

Opening Hours: 1:00pm - 6:00pm (Mon - Fri), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (Sat - Sun)

CoBa Baden-Baden Restaurant (Baden-Baden, GERMANY) ★★★☆☆

We missed the highway exit to our burger joint after battling poor traffic conditions in the rain, so I needed to find a random place near Baden-Baden Station to fill the void. With an area that looked more like an industrial district, finding a restaurant wasn't easy but I managed to locate CoBa Baden-Baden Restaurant with my Google Map app.

CoBa Baden-Baden Restaurant is a modern Vietnamese and Japanese fusion spot, decorated with an interesting mix of neon lights and traditional East Asian elements.

The atmosphere was warm and cozy, with a clean, inviting neighborhood-bistro vibe.

What The Pho (€18.9) — You can choose your own toppings here. Surprisingly, we decided to go with chicken fillet instead of the traditional beef, and it turned out to be a pretty unusual combo. The broth was also a little light and not nearly as aromatic as the authentic one we were all accustomed to.

Crazy noodles (€14.9) — The ribbon noodles were tossed with bean sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and onions. As with the pho, you can choose your toppings and this time, we picked crispy duck.

The sauce was well-balanced with both savory and sweet flavors but I thought it was a little too overpowering. That said, the "wok hei" was undeniably good (we could actually hear the chef fired up his wok in the kitchen from where we sat).

CoBa was our saving grace late in the afternoon in a kind of no-man’s-land.

Food Rating: 4.8/10

Price: €€€

Address: Ooser Hauptstraße 16, 76532 Baden-Baden-Oos, Germany

Tel: +49 7221 3769869

Website: https://coba-badenbaden.de/

Opening Hours: 11:30am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:30pm (Tue - Sat), 11:30am - 10:00pm (Sun)