WunderBar
German Grill and Bierhaus
37-10 11th Street, Long Island City
718.YES.BEER (718.937.2337)
www.wunderbarlic.com

W underBar German Grill and Bierhaus is the latest arrival on the restaurant and bar scene and is a welcome addition to the patchwork of multi-cultured eateries in Astoria/ Long Island City. WunderBar had a soft opening just three weeks ago but will have its Grand Opening in a week or two. Their clever Web site will give you more information. Owners Erick Griffenkranz, Lubica Kravcova and Felix Miller each have years of experience working in German restaurants and with Felix in the kitchen, you are assured of a delicious meal.

WunderBar is the real deal in terms of a traditional German bierhaus. Wood floors, big, communal wooden tables, which allow for socializing and mingling over a hearty meal and, of course, beer….and lots of it. Radeberger, Hoffbrauhaus, Gaffel Ale, Weiss bier, Czech and Slovak beers are just some of the offerings, poured from enormous taps. A full bar serving your favorite cocktails is in place as well. Three flat screen televisions allow you to watch the games without disturbing your meal or conversation. A skylight in the dining room and photos and flags on the walls add to the atmosphere.

The traditional German dishes at WunderBar are hearty, yet not salty or greasy. The wursts, pork chops and soups are excellent, complemented by fabulous side dishes made fresh in house. Chef Felix prepared a sampling platter of several types of wursts, or sausages. Bratwurst is a traditional pork sausage with mild spices and tastes great with a dab of spicy mustard and the warm, brown bread and rye bread served. Bavarianwurst and Weisswurst are tender veal sausages, very light in color. Kaesewurst combines beef,

pork and cheese into a delicious wurst which is so popular that it is sold from kiosks on the streets in Germany and Austria, as I recall from my time there. A real treat for my dining companion and I was the Currywurst, a beef and pork sausage seasoned with curry and served with a delicious sauce. All wursts cost just $5 with sauerkraut, red cabbage and sautéed onions, but they are best ordered as affordable meals that combine wursts and soup, side dishes or the whopping WunderBar Haus Special. This special platter is meant for a large group, and features 10 grilled wursts and your choice of two side

dishes, bread and mustard for $45.

A mini-keg is the recommended beverage and the friendly staff will set everything up for you.

Speaking of side dishes, WunderBar's spaetzle is delicious. If you're not familiar with spaetzle, it's a type of dumpling that is grated into boiling water and then mixed with butter and cheese or savory bacon. In any event, you shouldn't miss out on the spaetzle. House made potato salad is not laden with mayo, but delicately seasoned and dressed. Cucumber salad and tomato salad requires bread to soak up the vinegary dressing that I just love. WunderBar Haus fries are thick cut and served with melted cheese, also perfect for sharing.

Entrées include traditional Bavarian dishes such as Sauerbraten, a slow-cooked pot roast, served with spaetzle, sauerkraut and rotkraut (red cabbage). The beef goulash is a hearty winter dish that you will love too. The house specialty is definitely the selection of Schnitzels. Classic Jaeger Schnitzel is a veal chop that is removed from the bone and pounded so thin, it hangs over your plate. It is breaded and fried to golden perfection and served with a delectable sauce. WunderBar makes five varieties of schnitzel, using pork, veal, or chicken, according to your order. Each is tender, light and flavorful. Smoked pork chops called Kasseler Rippchen are also very tender, with a delicate smoky flavor, served with potato salad, sauerkraut and red cabbage.

WunderBar is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Enjoy the lunch special that includes your choice of wurst with a side of spaetzle and potato salad for just $7. A small stage will soon feature live music and comics. WunderBar is located in a semi-commercial area, which makes evening parking a breeze, yet it is close to E,V, N and W trains at 23rd St. Ely Avenue, and the F train at Queensbridge. WunderBar is a great place for large families and groups of fun-loving friends. Visit their Web site to check for the Grand Opening and upcoming events. Welcome WunderBar!