Heidelberg 1648 2nd Ave. 85th & 86th Sts.
Upper East Side
212.628.2332
Heidelberg:
There aren’t many places outside of the Black Forest where you can drink German beer out of a frosty two-liter glass boot, but at this Yorkville timepiece (circa 1936), it’s Oktoberfest all year round. Servers in lederhosen dish out authentic eats like boiled pig knuckles, while less adventurous diners can opt for wursts, brats, schnitzels, potato pancakes, and spaetzle. Heidelberg's crowd is relaxed and unpretentious—more Dockers than Diesels—with a few suits pressing up to the bar. Weekends are swamped and table service can be slow, so order a large beer early to avoid getting stuck between refills. A date scene this is not – a kids' menu is offered, the dimestore-kitsch decor is reminiscent of Aunt Hildegard's basement, and beer-and-potato bloat can be murder on the libido.
