The Place
Here in the Emmental, hospitality and food come naturally, so after a day walking in the valley, visiting farms and watching the famous cheese mature, there can be nothing better than retiring, hungry, to a nearby inn such as the Hirschen and asking for the local speciality. This is the Burner Platte, a challenge to the heartiest appetites. ‘I did my best, but couldn’t finish the mountain of meat and sausages surrounded by sauerkraut and boiled potatoes’, admitted our inspector, who had never felt so full in his life but was ready to breakfast on delicious Emmental cheese next morning.
The food is as typically Bernese as the rest of this hostelry; our inspector could even hear jolly singing in the bar. The family has been here since 1872 and nowadays a host of relatives help with the running of this unpretentious hotel. The Rotisserie, with its rough ceiling-beams and stone wall has more character than other rooms. Modern rustic is the overall look, with plenty of wood but no fancy frills; bedrooms, for example, are straightforward, with small, basic bathrooms. Prices are inexpensive for this country, so this is just the place for families, sporty types and anyone travelling on a budget.