When I got in the cab to go to the client lunch, I had no idea what I was in for. Our clients requested an outing to Rolf’s. I had never been, and couldn’t figure out why it was ringing a bell. And then I arrived, and realized that THIS is the type of place that people talk about… because it looks like this…
Floor to ceiling, front door to kitchen… it was a Christmas wonderland. You can’t help but get into the spirit here.
So what is Rolf’s? It’s a classically German restaurant, with menu items that I associate with my (Austrian) Grandma and Great Grandma.
We started with a sausage sampler, that came with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. All were very good and started the meal out nicely.
One person ordered the Choucroute Alsacienne which came with a smoked pork chop, bratwurst, weisswurst, shaped potatotes and sauerkraut. I was lucky enough to try the pork chop part, which I thought was delicious but definitely tasted more like smoked ham than the pork chop that was expected.
Other diners ordered the roast boneless loin of pork. It came with red cabbage and mashed potatoes. They said the sauce on the pork was scrumptious, but there was a bit too much red cabbage for any one person to consume.
Another ordered the Jaeger Schnitzel, which was wiener schnitzel in Paprika Mushroom Sauce, Vegetable & Spätzle.
I went classic and got the wiener schnitzel which came with spatzel and green beans.
At this point I assume many of you are asking what schnitzel is… well… it’s very thinly pounded meal (usually veal if it’s “wiener”) that is breaded and lightly fried. It’s buttery and light when done right, and this was most certainly done right. It tasted a lot like what I remember Grandma making and I ate every delicious bite.
Overall, Rolf’s is a spectacle with very good food… HOWEVER… it’s unbelievably expensive. At any other German restaurant, my plate would cost about $15. Here it was DOUBLE. Even for NY, that’s pricey! So if you are looking for a cheap venue, this is not it. But if you want to be awestruck by the decorations, eat German food the way it was meant to be, and without much regard to prices… Rolf’s is top notch.
Total Nom Points: 7 out of 10
