Rebirth of Swabian Cuisine in Architectural Marvel
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70 years ago, Fritz Leonhardt, the legendary architect behind the Stuttgart TV Tower, attempted to construct the very first freestanding lightweight concrete ceiling in Germany. While that particular building may not exist today, its spirit lingers on Gerokstraße 12, now home to a vibrant restaurant scene.
A fascinating history unfolded at this location when it was home to Stuttgart's first self-service store back in 1955. This building's innovative design, featuring a supporting net with cables that spanned the interior, made it an architectural triumph, allowing for more spacious indoor areas.
Over the years, the building has undergone plenty of changes, though its original beauty can still be perceived. Despite modifications and the addition of supports within the entrance area, the roof's elegant form remains—a ski-jump-like structure based on a hanging construction over a pretensioned cable supporting net.
Recently, the bio-restaurant Lässig had to close its doors due to financial troubles. But don't despair! A new chapter has started, as the company Herr Kächele—known for their emphasis on Swabian home cooking—has taken over. Under the guidance of CEO Jens Caspar (known from Neckarkaep't), the gastronomicLife at Gerokstraße 12 is now bustling once more.
With Andreas Wolf leading the kitchen, the day bistro offers a variety of dishes, including favorably priced children's fare such as Maultaschen and Spätzle. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 4 pm on weekdays, and for closed groups, cooking courses, concerts, and various events in the evenings and on Saturdays. A special attraction? Guests can tap wine directly from barrels with a reservation.
As for the future, the bistro will also serve a traditional "Sunday roast" on Sundays, attracting visitors from all corners of the city. Expect to see familiar faces like entertainer Michael Gaedt, Freerk Valentien, the grandmaster of the Stuttgart art trade, Patrick Mikolaj from Unnützen Stuttgartwissen, and Christa Merz, the widow of legendary school director Volker Merz, among the restaurant's guests.
Although Leonhardt didn't design the building at Gerokstraße 12, his pioneering spirit lives on in the area's dynamic gastronomy scene. For more information about Leonhardt and his work, we recommend checking out his other groundbreaking projects such as the Fernsehturm Stuttgart.
- The new management of Herr Kächele, with an emphasis on Swabian home cooking, revitalizes the gastronomic lifestyle at Gerokstraße 12, channeling the pioneering spirit of Fritz Leonhardt in the restaurant scene.
- The day bistro at Gerokstraße 12, under the leadership of Andreas Wolf, offers not only delicious meals but also innovative culinary experiences, such as direct wine tapping from barrels, much like the food-and-drink offerings one might find in a fashion-and-beauty magazine.
- As the building at Gerokstraße 12 continues to evolve, mirroring the home-and-garden transformations one might see in a popular lifestyle magazine, it remains a hub of culinary creativity, with a cookbook of recipes that attract guests from all walks of life.
