I've got to say that if a place
features beer and sausage as its defining characteristics, there's a
pretty good chance I'm genetically predisposed to being a fan.
Reichenbach Hall lands right in my sweet spot. Good beer, good
sausage and happy people.
The Hall is a big, open room with a lot
of blonde wood, big communal tables and smiling people. Nearly
everyone there seemed pretty happy with where they were, patrons and
employees alike. Initially we sat at the bar for a drink. I
discovered Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, this is what
breakfast beer should taste like. I'm reasonably sure that I would
be thrilled to drink this every morning. The poor bartender was
wearing Mork from Ork suspenders. I thought they were fun, but not
everyone shares my sense of style.
We were sat at a communal table with a
couple of fellas at the other end. One of the guys was quite
friendly. His buddy was mildly creepy. The only problem I had with
the communal seating was that when the bench is in an uncomfortable
spot, you're pretty much stuck with it when others are on the bench
already. That's an unfortunate side effect of the idea.
The waitstaff and bartenders were all
very friendly and knowledgeable. I heard the bartender, a waitress
and even the manager explain things on the menu very clearly. The
manager even took the time to answer our questions about the strange
people that kept running back and forth outside the door. (It turns
out there's a crossfit gym on the corner. These lunatics are jogging
up and down 37th Street instead of being in here drinking
beer. Priorities man, priorities!) It's good that the staff is very
friendly, because they are a bit slow. But they're enthusiasm kind
of makes up for it. At least it did for me.
We started out with a giant pretzel.
And I'm not exaggerating in the least when I call this thing “giant”.
Utterly
For entrees Amy got the spatzle with
Brussels sprouts and bacon. She thought it was overly peppery. I
didn't get that at all. I thought it was pretty damn good actually.
The sprouts could've been cooked just a bit longer, but I'm just
being picky about it. I ordered a Wurst sampler plate. I figured if
a place is known for sausage, I want to try as many as I can without
soiling myself. So a sampler was the way to go. This particular
plate came with a bratwurst, which if you don't know is basically a
giant, garlicky frankfurter. Nothing at all wrong with that. There
were Nuernberger Wurstel which are thin pork and veal sausage.
Slightly drier sausage with an interesting flavor. And lastly a
Baurenwurst, which is a farmer's sausage of pork and beef. This one
was my favorite. The sauerkraut, unfortunately, had entirely too
much caraway. It tasted like wet rye bread. But the red cabbage and
the potato salad were exceptional.
All in all, the atmosphere was very
conducive to a good time. There was just a happy noise happening all
around. Although the music choice was kind of strange. I'd never
have thought to play poppy house-type music in a German beer hall. I
had a really good time there. I think I'd definitely like to head
back there for a night of beer drinking and mild debauchery.
5 West 37th Street
New York, NY, 10018
212-302-7744
