12/11/08

Simply the Best!

by sect404

From the moment you walk through the door you are made to feel special by the owner and an amazing staff! Usually crowded due to it's immense popularity, and it's small size. These traits somewhat lend themselves to the restaurants atmosphere. Also nice is that the crowd has alot of regulars who are courteous and friendly as well.

In a city where good german/austrian fare is becoming harder to find, this place has filled the gap and is probably the #1 restaurant of it's type in the city! The "Spaetzle mit Kase"-tiny dumplings baked with cheese is unique to this restaurant and is a "must order" for any first timer. They use top notch ingredients in all of their dishes which is a necessity and it shows! Everything I've tried here is absolutely magnificent from the Wurst to the Goulash to their Homemade Potato Salad. The presentation of the meal is always special as well.

As far as beverages are concerned, I have to say that their tap beer is also the best I've found in the city. It's the ONLY place I've found that pours and tastes EXACTLY like I've had in Europe! I find Gosser Beer to be the best. Also, if you have the time after dinner and a little extra money, they have a large variety of Aperitifs. The Reisetbauer, also unique to this restaurant, is probably the finest money can buy (what Johnny Walker Blue Label is to scotch).

It is near the bar and club scene of the lower east side. Public transportation is easy being only a 3 block walk from the M,J,Z and F train stop on Delancy and Essex.

• Pros: Excellent Food, Beer and Ambience.
• Cons: Small location

03/08/08

Great food and atmosphere, very attentive staff

by vikinnyc

This is a great spot on the Lower East Side. I went there the 3rd time this week (1st and 2nd time was months and weeks ago) and the staff actually remembered me and made sure my friends and I were extremely well taken care of. The service is attentive, the beer is the best I have had in New York so far and the prices are relatively cheap for New York. Pretzels, Spaetzle and Sausages, can recommend them all. Make sure you try one of the liquoers after dinner.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, drinks and prices
• Cons: too small...

10/30/07

Small, quaint, and utterly charming

by edwilde

I stumbed into this restaurant with my friends after party hopping. It is open late, the staff are WONDERFUL (even chatting with us about the hand-crafted pottery made by the co-owner), and the atmosphere is delightful. I'm vegan, and it's pretty hard to get vegan Austrain food. With only a slight adjustment to some of the veg dishes, I could indulge and enjoy. The pretzels are to die for, and they make this killer beet salad (and I loathe beets--seriously). I love this place the prices are great, the decor is stylish yet cozy, everything about it rocks!

• Pros: great staff, cozy atmosphere, delicious food, low prices
• Cons: small vegetarian/vegan selection