There is little better than baked goods and beer, especially when they occur within the same vicinity, like on your lunch table. Germans pair pilsner and pretzels for a reason. Enter Landbrot, the equivalent of a classed-up German beer hall, except without the hall and the frat boys. Lucky for you the second location just opened in the West Village. We bet it's not long before they announce migration to Brooklyn what with the slew of beer halls fully integrated into a Williamsburg weekend routine. But until then, carbo-load to your heart's desire at Landbrot LES or West Village.
1. Höss Beer: One of the great German beers, Höss isn't easy to come by, which is why you should try all four whilst wiling away an afternoon at Landbrot. From the copper penny-colored of Holzar pale hay-hued Weisse, there is a little something to pair with everything from black forest cake to unctuous pretzel and cheese pockets.
2. Open-Faced Sandwiches: Herring, rye bread, Bavarian Limburger -- just like a character out of a Stieg Larsson book would eat. Just add a nose ring and detective Blomkvist. Or more reasonably, a Hopf Dunkel Weisse beer.
3. Brats and Dogs: It's nearly warm weather. So close. Almost. But until the fickle cold fronts depart completely, get your grilled meat fix here. Everything from the Farmers Brat to Andouille Sausage are served with fresh bread rolls, sauerkraut, horseradish, german mustard and tangy-sweet plum ketchup. And you know what that goes well with? A big stein of beer.
4. French lemon tart. Creamy, custardy lemon filling. Fluffy, snowy meringue topping. That is all. Oh, and maybe a glass of Blanc de Blanc to wash it down. Damn it, if it is before noon.
5. It is before noon. And there is no shame in making a stop
for linzer cake and Loire-sourced rose or bear claws and beer. You'll
probably find us at the next table housing apple strudel already halfway
through a pint.
Photo by Katie Sokoler/ via Gothamist.
