New tenants in the Pfaffenboden

The “Pfaffenboden” on the Walchwilerberg (Walchwil mountain) is back in business. Pia and Markus Infanger have been looking after guests in this mountain restaurant at 1,020 metres above sea level since February 5th. The pair, who originate from Schwyz, have signed a three-year contract with the owner, the Walchwil Corporation. "With an option for a further three years," says Markus Infanger. They didn’t know the restaurant beforehand, but did have acquaintances in the Lake Zug municipality, who drew their attention to it.

Catering is their profession: Pia Infanger has been in the catering business for 30 years, while Markus is a baker and pastry chef. Their 24-year-old daughter Marlen will also help out from April. The settling-in time should be over by then, and an additional cook will help to serve the hoped-for rush of hikers and bikers in the "Pfaffenboden". There will only be a limited menu until April, after which a full menu will be offered. From then on, the restaurant will only remain closed on Mondays, but is currently also closed on Tuesdays. Many things will remain the same with regard to food and beverages, and will therefore continue to consist of good and simple, hearty meals. Markus Infanger mentions the homemade cheese flans, and draws attention to regional and fresh products. He is still looking for service personnel who can also be called up at short notice, depending on the weather.

Markus and Pia Infanger will focus on home-style cooking.

The new outdoor area should be in use from the spring, and the corporation is renovating and expanding the playground area. At first glance, the interior of the restaurant has only undergone slight changes, as the corporation places great importance on maintaining the charm of the “Pfaffenboden”. It’s hardly surprising that it still smells of fresh paint, however. And things will stay fresh, as smoking is forbidden everywhere - even in the Stübli, where there used to be a second Stammtisch (regulars' table). The Infangers have set up a “Holzerstubli” (woodman’s parlour) here, which can accommodate 20 people and can also be rented for meetings. Infanger accepts that - after the 13-year smoking era of his predecessors - the smoking ban has not been welcomed by some regular guests. “Nowadays, it’s more usual to smoke outdoors. The terrace will open as soon as the weather is warmer, and smoking is, of course, still permitted there.”

There shouldn't be any aggravation on the Walchwilerberg or the Zugerberg with regard to the opening hours of the various restaurants. "It would very annoying if all the restaurants were closed at the same time," says Markus Infanger. The Infangers have therefore discussed this issue with the operators of the “Hintergeissboden”, which is about three kilometres away.