Oktoberfest, NY Style
Despite its name, Oktoberfest officially kicks off Sept. 22 and lasts until Oct. 7 this year. The biggest celebration may be in Munich, but you can still get your share of German culture and brews here. Grab your Alpine hat, throw on your lederhosen and head over to these restaurants that have the festive spirit and traditional Oktoberfest brews. – Kerri Fortune
Zum Schneider
107 Ave. C, 212-598-1098
This East Village German restaurant and biergarten celebrates German culture year round, but really steps up its pride for Oktoberfest. Live Oompah music will be performed throughout Oktoberfest by Mös’l Franzi and the Ja Ja Ja’s. DJ Volka Rancho will also play classic Oktoberfest music. wzumschneider.com
Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten
7 Rivington St., 212-253-7077
Named after a mythical siren on the Rhine, Loreley is a German restaurant and biergarten modeled after the Brauhaus in Cologne, and the tables are even built by a carpenter who builds furniture for Cologne breweries. They serve up German comfort food, wines from the Loreley region and 12 imported German beers available on tap. They began serving Oktoberfest beer on Sept. 13 — Weihenstephaner Festbier, Hofbrau Oktoberfest, Spaten Oktoberfest and Schneider Wiesen Edelweiss. loreleynyc.com
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave., 718-274-4925
It’s worth a trip out of Manhattan to visit this Astoria, Queens, spot, the last remaining original outdoor beer garden in all of New York City. Experience Oktoberfest Czech style on Sept. 29 and 30 with traditional live entertainment, music and Czech beers and European beers and wines. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. bohemianhall.com
Hallo Berlin
626 Tenth Ave., 212-977-1944
Hell’s Kitchen staple Hallo Berlin advertises itself as “New York’s wurst restaurant.” Choose from a variety of beef, pork and chicken sausages—wienerwurst, alpenwurst, bockwurst, knockwurst, Berliner currywurst, bratwurst and Bavarian wurst. If you don’t have the time to sit down and grab a bite, Hallo Berlin is also known for its Vendy Award-winning food stand on 54th Street and Fifth Ave. halloberlinrestaurant.com
Village Pourhouse
64 Third Ave., 212-979-2337
Although it’s not a German restaurant, the watering hole is celebrating Oktoberfest on Oct. 16 and 18 with an event hosted by brewmasters who will share their expertise. There will be a buffet with authentic German food and four flights of beer for $40 per person. German music and festive décor will put diners in the right spirit. pourhousenyc.com
Lederhosen
39 Grove St., 212-206-7691
Chow down on wurst, schnitzel, katoffelpuffer and kasseler rippchen at this German wurst- and bierhaus. Early birds swoop in for their inexpensive lunch specials, like the Lederhosenburger Deluxe—a beef and pork burger served with homemade sauce and cheese with string beans and cucumber and tomato salad. German lagers, beers, special brews and wines are available. lederhosennyc.com
Restaurants Meeting Fat Law
Good news for your arteries. The first phase of the city’s new trans fat regulation has received a 94 percent compliance rate from more than 3,300 restaurants inspected, according to a study released by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Beginning Oct. 1, the health department will issue fines, starting at $200 for those that fail to meet this deadline. These regulations seek to eliminate unhealthy oils, margarines and shortening used for spreads and frying, without compromising taste. Of the violations found, nearly all involved margarine use. The second phase, ending on July 1, 2008, applies to prepared foods, baked goods and oils used for cake batter and deep-fry dough. The health department provides a help line, Web site and classes for restaurant operators. —Sherice Brammer
