Monday, December 21, 2009

...when you want to introduce your friends to your German pen pal from 4th grade.

Heidelberg
1648 Second Avenue
Between 85th and 86th

Listen, everyone's been to a pizza place, everyone's been to a tapas place, or a Chinese place - but has anyone been to a German place where you can eat schnitzel and drink beer from a huge glass boot? Exactly.

Aside from the "lapse in judgement" the Germans had between the years of 1914 - 1989, they've been relatively cool. They have great food, great beer and face it - lederhosen are hot. So when you need a fun place to get together to celebrate, nothing beats a German restaurant where the decor and the staff all look right out of the German Pavilion at Epcot Center.

Heidelberg is nestled on the upper east side, in old Germantown, where my grandfather used to cause trouble back in the 1930's. Now, it is one of the last remnants of the old days - and can easily be missed among the frat bars and Ann Talyor Lofts. But its warm atmosphere and friendly staff make it one of the best places in the city to raise a glass, or boot, of beer.

Here, the beer list is simple - 8 beers in 4 sizes. Small, medium large, or 2 liter glass boot. And if you don't pace yourself with this super big gulp of booze - you just might boot in the cab on the way home. So start the night off with one, or split one with someone - but NEVER (promise me) NEVER order second boot.

Now, instead of getting all your calories from the beer, try some of the delicious and authentic German food that they offer, like the Weiner Schnitzel (Stop laughing). It's just a perfectly fried veal cutlet - moist and seasoned. served with homefries and red cabbage. I always order a side of Spaetzle, which is German pasta sauteed in butter, and an order of the potato pancakes.

1 comment:

  1. I was just telling my friends about this place! My aunt recommended it not too long agoo. Thanks for the review. I can't wait to check it out for myself.

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