All the fun of the beer: Staff at the Bavarian Beer House, Rene Von Reth, Sabine Schlodder, Diana Lehman, Anja Birnkraut and Paul Martin

True Bavarian Experience

OPENED earlier this year, The Bavarian Beerhouse whose unique selling point is their being “the first and only German/Bavarian restaurant in the UK” is indeed reminiscent of a typical bierkeller, with waitresses in costume, who carry three or four one-litre mugs of authentic Bavarian beer similar to such establishments in Germany.
The restaurant is divided in three rooms. The first one, Schwemme features a long bar with 10 white and one black enamel beer pumps – all with attractive brass decorations.
Across are two rows of benches each sitting eight to 10 people. The middle room, Little Bavaria was reserved the night I visited for customers wanting to watch a football match.
You must book for such evenings when a match is shown on a large screen.
Past this room there is a charming one, Beergarden with tables with green and white tablecloths.
This area did have a very distinctive German atmosphere which would be suitable for large parties.
We chose to settle in the front room and ordered a small bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (185 ml – £3.50) and one of Chardonnay (£3.50). Larger 750 ml. bottles are available at £19.50.
We selected the Nurnberger Bratwurst (Five small sausages grilled and served with sauerkraut and a Pretzel £5.50) and Weisswurst (a pair of two white sausages served with sweet mustard and a Pretzel £4.90). The sausages were very good.
The Weisswurst came in a container with hot water to keep the sausages warm.
However the container – which looked like a small soup bowl – was too small and only half of the sausages were immersed.
The Munchener Schweinshaxe (roasted pork shank £12.50) was impressive.
A very large knuckle of pork, which arrived with a fork and knife placed on the meat, was Bavarian style.
The Munchener Schweinebraten (Munich pork roast served with dark beer sauce, red cabbage and potato dumplings £11.90) was also substantial.
The red cabbage was delicious. They import most of their produce from Germany and so the Asparagus were of the white variety (£9).
Their specials include business lunches (Monday – Friday) when they offer a Schnitzel and a one pint of beer for £9.90, a Sunday brunch buffet and a DJ and dancing on Fridays and Saturdays until 1 am.
My bill for £60.69 included a five per cent sale surcharge.
The waitress explained that the five per cent was for the bar and the kitchen and as the bill was closed if I wanted to leave any service for the floor it had to be done in cash.
This I did as she had been very sweet and helpful.
Bavarian Beerhouse
190 City Road, EC1