Bâlehoo

STRAUSSIs ARE BACK - FOR A LIMITED TIME
Sure it is tasty, but when the fresh spargeln (asparagus) is in at the market, the elbows start flying as little old ladies fight for the next spot in line. For a bruise-free asparagus extravaganza, head to the straussis. That’s right! straussies are back for their spring appearance – and they are once again featuring some excellent local produce.
Located in Germany, straussis are actually working farms that open their doors as a restaurant for several weeks each year, usually in spring and fall. The food is regional, seasonal, delicious and cheap.

We like this one: http://www.fuenfschilling.de/ which opens April 19 (although rumor has it that it is going to convert to a restaurant full time so head over there quickly before it turns)

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SOCIETY SINGALONG
Christine Archer (English Seminar Choir) will be leading this musical evening and helping members and friends of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society to sing along to their favorite pieces from one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operas - Iolanthe.

Join them for a wonderful evening of music and comedy. Experience the chaos when Fairies mix with British MPs (and a shepherd!)

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society Singalongs are for both singers and non-singers, of all ages and abilities, to enjoy Gilbert & Sullivan! Come and join in the singing or just to relax and listen.

The event will take place at L’Esprit in Basel, beginning at 19:30 hrs.

Cost: CHF 15 for Gilbert & Sullivan Society members and CHF 25 for non-members. The price includes handouts and a professionally catered apéro with food and drink.

If you are interested in attending, RSVP by 20th April 2007 by sending an email to info@savoyards.ch

Iolanthe Singalong
on Friday 27th April 2007, 19:30
At L’Esprit (formerly Treffpunkt Provi
Laufenstrasse 44
4053 Basel

WHEN IN SPAIN… (STAY AT CASA ROJA)
If you haven’t booked your May vacation yet, it is well past time to get planning. Luckily a great new B and B just opened along the coast of southern Spain. Casa Roja, located aproximately 90 minutes from Alicante airport (check flights at www.easyjet.com), offers three crisp and charming guest rooms (featuring either terrace or a garden or sea view), a large pool, and mouth-watering meals cooked by the owner, a professionally trained chef who previously worked in some of London’s hottest gastropubs. An American, he and his wife - who is fluent in Polish - are both fluent in English and also speak Spanish.

With reasonable weekly rates and daily prices of approximately 75 euros a night, it is sure to book up fast, so check out the website for photos and contact info and book your “vacaciones españolas” now!

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/aguilas/25224

CANTINA DON CAMILLO
With restaurant name like Cantina Don Camillo, you might start to wonder if I’m sticking with a Spanish theme for this week’s newsletter. However, the menu at this simple but chic restaurant is more modern-Swiss-meets-Asian. While it might sound odd, it is also surprisingly refreshing.

In fact, surprise is the key word for this Klein Basel eatery - starting with finding it. Hidden away in a side street and reached by what I am graciously going to call a freight elevator, by the time you’ve sussed out its location Don Camillos feels like a Prohibition-era speakeasy.

Fighting back the urge to knock three times and whisper the phrase “Die Hunde bellen den Mond an,” I entered the high-ceilinged minimalist loft space. Simple, but warm decor makes for a surprisingly friendly feel, but Don Camillo’s real hidden treasure in its outdoor deck. Sitting in the sun at clean-lined wooden table and chairs, overlooking the vaguely industrial view, it has a very relaxed, unstudied “Carrie Bradshaw does lunch” feel.

When you’re done soaking in the atmosphere, the great news is that the food is good, too. With seasonal menu items such as yellow chicken curry, pasta arrabbiatta, and a fish and spinach involtini with caper sauce, you are sure to find something to whet your appetite.

Special Basel Bonus: The food not only tastes good, it looks good too. Dishes are presented with casual sophistication and even a simple mixed green salad is plated with an eye to please.

Cantina Don Camillo
Burgweg 7, 4058 Basel
+41 61 693 05 07
http://www.cantina-doncamillo.ch
(Closed Sunday and Monday)

SUSHI A LA CARTE
Although convenient, I’ve never been one for the pre-prepared sushi boxes. There always manages to be one or two items I don’t want, and not enough of the things I DO want.

As you may have read in previous newsletters, I am a fan of the subterranean food market at Manor in kleinbasel. A recent trip reinforced by my enthusiasm when I found individually pre-wrapped sushi, perfect for mixing and matching to make your own meal. Want a single piece of tuna negiri? No problem. A two-pack of cucumber maki? Or maybe you want to load up on California rolls? Take as much as you want – no more, no less.

HOW ABOUT LUNCH?
Single? Eat lunch? You’re in luck. A new on-line dating service which started in Zürich and Bern has now extended it’s services to Basel! Called “How About Lunch,” the program is simple. Just go to www.howaboutlunch.ch for details on how you can connect with other singles. (Oddly, despite its English name, the site is in German only.) The site will help match you up with someone compatible and then you can set up a lunch date.

DON’T GO CHANGIN’
It has come to this: I am paying for my San Pelligrino six-packs with 20-centimes coins (that’s 36 coins for those of you playing the game at home). Why you might ask? Because they are there. In fact, they are everywhere. Under the sofa cushion, in a coat pocket, by the bowlful on the bookshelf – I even found one in my boot the other day.

Soon, however, my days of plastic coin baggies at the local Migros will be over. Because I just confirmed that Basler Kantonalbank has an automatic coin counting machine available free of charge (up to 1,000 CHF) to its customers. Just bring your coins, dump them in the machine and take your receipt to a bank teller to get the money deposited into your account. If you don’t have an account there, no worries, just find a friend who does – it’ll take two of you to carry all those coins anyway.

WANTED - STUDIO SHARE
English Papermaker looking to share studio in Basel Sadt. Urgent. If you’re interested Hilary Ross at hrross2@gmail.com or 061 534 6418.

CAR FOR SALE
2001 VW Passat 2.0 (Wagon)
Black with black cloth interior
Automatic, Cassette
96K Kilometers
Garage-kept; Snow tires included
14,500 CHF
This is a great, solid car. If interested contact me via email at karena.meehan@balehoo.com.