January 19 - Malans and Bad Ragaz

After breakfast we watched, briefly, the Federer - Tomic match. Then Pat and Mike took the train back to Arosa for more sledding, as they had such a good time the previous day. I think my sledding days are over. Ron went out to do some errands. Around noon we went to the small town of Malans near Landquart.

I had read about the Donatsch winery and tavern there (in the same family over 100 years), and had written to make sure they were open. At that time we had planned to be in the "cliff house" in Trin until January 26. When we arrived at Donatsch, they were closed for annual holiday until January 24. Probably, in hindsight, this is what they told me, but all I remembered was that they were open during a time we would be able to visit. Anyway, it all turned out well, as we spied an unusual-looking hotel, and walked over to the Weiss Kreuz.

The owner greeted us and shook hands to welcome us. We asked to look at a menu which he provided. He also pointed out a book in which the restaurant had been named the number two in Classic Cuisine for all of Switzerland. We were amazed to find such a beautiful restaurant in a tiny little hamlet.

Gorgeous mountains on way to Malans

Malans - Fountain built in 1948 (year I was born)

Malans

We ordered our meals and splurged with a bottle of the famous Donatsch wine from the place we had tried to visit - a combination of chardonnary and sauvignon called Chardignon. Excellent - wish we had been able to taste and purchase at the winery.

Hotel Weiss Kreuz

Ron's boiled beef 

Mary's veal with truffle sauce

View toward Bad Ragaz from Maienfeld

Beautiful home in the Maienfeld Vineyards

After lunch we drve to Mainfeld and then to Bad Ragaz. The casino is now in a modern building, and even though I am sure we have been in that new building before it seemed entirely different to us. There was a very limited selection of machines - especially the .01 denominations we favor. It's probably good we were bored with the selection since we were able to walk out about $60 ahead.

Bad Ragaz Casino - not like we remembered

The architecture of the casino is not at all in keeping with the rest of the beautiful town. I am surprised it was ever allowed. The town is very elegant with spacious park areas, and old-world hotels mixed with very sophisticated modern spas and hotels. 

We got back to the hotel and had a rest. We went to the Bodega Espanol at 7:30 PM. We only ordered a tapas platter with a variety of eight dishes - shrimp, octopus, mussels, ham croquetts, olives, potatoes, spicy sausage, and a frittata.

We saw Pat and Mike go past on the train around 7:38. When we got back to the hotel about 9 PM, their door was ajar, so we knocked and went in for a short chat. They had a nice day in Arosa with several fun sled runs.