Gasthaus zum Schlüssel - Zurzach

The people of Zurzach apparently call their little town the 'Flecken' and the very traditional 'Gasthaus zum Schlüssel' (Inn to the Key) on the Hauptgasse (main street) also 'Fleckenbeizli'.There is a big golden painted key above the entrance of this simple looking, traditional building and in summer there are some tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Inside it is a typical Swiss 'Wirtsstube', a local tavern-style pub with wooden beams on the ceiling and the round 'Stammtisch' (regular's table) in a corner. In the back there is even a 'Fumoir', a separate room for smokers.We had read that the place is famous for its liver and this is what we ordered. My wife had 'Leberli mit Steinpilzen' (Porcini mushrooms), while I went for the 'Leberli an Calvados mit Apfelstücken' (Small cuts of liver with apple pieces and Calvados, the famous Norman apple brandy). As a garnish we both ordered 'Rösti' (the very Swiss way of preparing potatoes - a bit like Hash Browns). All was phantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed the lunch.The dishes came on preheated plates, which were put on top of a big wooden plate. With it we drank the local Zurzach mineralwater, since we were after all in one of Switzerland's best-known spas. Service was impeccable too by a lady, who told us, when asked, that she is originally from Romania, although with a very good knowledge of German. We also appreciated the fact that the chef himself passed by to wish us a 'Bon Appetit'.