Bavarian Bier Cafe York

Well, well, when I heard about their GET SCHNITFACED challenge:

Every Tuesday, pig-out and finish our Giant Schnitzel and the Schnapps is on us!

I knew I just had to go.

Food

For those unfamiliar, the Bavarian Bier Café is like the other European beer houses around, and serves Bavarian food and beer. In fact, their menu is very similar to The Lowenbrau, including the beer they serve.

We were only here for one thing though, the Löwenschnitzel ($23) - Giant Pork Schnitzel Served with French Fries. We ordered this at The Lowenbrau too, but I have to say, this one is much better! The batter was crisp and not too thick, the meat was tender and cooked well, pounded thinly but not too thin. Surprisingly, on one corner of our plate was a small but perfectly dressed rocket and radish salad! The accompanying tartare sauce was scrumptious, I wish there was more of it though, to dip with the delectable golden and crunchy chips. Regular readers will know that I am not a big fan of schnitzel, so this has really impressed me!

But did I finish my challenge? Let’s just say that there was nothing left on my plate at the end of it. Actually, it needn’t matter, as everybody gets a Schnapps anyway! For the challenge, they had 4 of their flavours available as part of the challenge, so it must be a sign, so we ordered one of each:

• studmeister – we couldn’t figure not the flavour, but Chinese medicine, licorice and aniseed come to mind
• butterscotch – smooth and just like butterscotch pudding, my favourite
• pfirsich (peach) – smells divine, has a strong kick and tastes like peach lollies
• sour apple – a refreshing taste that’s sweet and sour

Rating - 7.5

Atmosphere

Well, it was Tuesday lunch so the place was about half full. It was half full only because of the schnitzel challenge, as the sound of the cow bell was reverberating all around each time the schnapps are bought out on those meter long pallets. This made the atmosphere a bit more relaxed. Otherwise, this place seems very slick and formal, even with their booths, giant wooden benches and plasma TVs… maybe it’s the serious attitude of the staff or those glasses hanging above the bar?

Rating - 2

Service

It could certainly be better, especially from a half full restaurant. No one showed us to a table so we plonked ourselves down. We had to wave around for a waiter to take our order – and then we were told that only certain waiters could take order, it seems some are just supposed to be the drinks girl. After ages, one of them finally came around to take our order. We got some sautéed vegetables to go with our schnitzels but that order never came. In hindsight it was probably just as well, but shame to the waiters for forgetting.

Rating - 2

C-factor

This was certainly a fun experience, and for $15 for a schnitzel and schnapp, it’s definitely a fun time out.

Rating - 2

Brownie Points - 13.5

Info

24 York Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 8297 4111
Website