When I lived in Germany this was my staple. Came with Pommes Frites and salad. The Schnitzel and Frites covered in gravy... not smothered in gravy. This was the same in every restaurant I ever went to in Germany... always exactly the same, always delicious.
But wanted to mention the salad. They used some spice? on their salad that had a flavor I had never tasted before. Loved it... but I could never determine what it was.
I often mentioned that to others over the years hoping someone would know what that mystery flavor was, but I never found out.
I didn't return to Germany for nearly 40 years when I took my family to Europe and we visited Germany... where I was stationed, lived, where my son was born. I was very excited to have my family taste that 'mystery' flavor on their salads. We weren't more than 2 hours after arrival til we went into a restaurant.
The 'mystery' flavor was no more. Wasn't on the salad, not in that first restaurant nor any of the others I visited during our stay.
I never discovered what it was. - JamesJM