Beer and Sausage with the Friendliest Folks in Midtown

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 37^th 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

fantastic, I'm pretty sure it was the best pretzel I've ever had. Buttery and light and just the perfect amount of salt. I'm writing about it and a little bit of drool is gathering up in the corner of my mouth. I really wish I had one right this second. We also got an order of Kleinfranks, which is simply a bowl of cocktail franks with some spicy mustard. For some reason Amy was convinced these were pigs in a blanket. I don't know what that reason was, but she thought so. They weren't, so we improvised and created “pigs in a pretzel”. We just tore pieces of pretzel and made holes in them, stuffed them with the mini-franks and dipped it in the mustard. (The mustard is really good, I wonder if it's house-made.) Outrageous, I don't know why this isn't on the menu. It really should be...and I want royalties!

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.

Reichenbach Hall

5 West 37^th Street

New York, NY, 10018

212-302-7744