Recommended for Both the Food and Atmosphere
- February 26, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
oldscratch from New York, New York
I've had many meals at this German restaurant the past few years and have a lot to recommend. It has a great selection of German beers that can be consumed in both half and full liters, and the sausages, frites, and the spaetzle are all really good. It's also a great place for a summer afternoon as they have a small backyard packed with communal tables. The only think I'd avoid is the jagerschnitzel which has a surprisingly thing sauce.
From journal A Running List of New York Restaurants
Editor Pick
Loreley
- June 8, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
quirine from Brooklyn, New York
Loreley is a little bar right across from MK & Ashley hotspot Freeman's in Freeman's Alley. When you walk in, right away you'll see a gate and a staircase that leads to a basement/lounge. I had a great party there and reserved half of the area for free. There is a little bar down there, a seating area, bathrooms, and you can order food to soak up all the beer! The total space is around 400 square feet and you can reserve the whole space for $300. At some point, strangers were taking up our space, so a bouncer at the top of the stairs blocked people from getting in. The decor is pretty bland, but it's a dark lounge with plenty of beer and some really good food. Verlaine is a better choice if you prefer a bit of ambience.
Upstairs is a simple bar with a few stools and three tall tables against the walls. Further back is a full-fledged restaurant with German favorites like weiner schnitzel and a variety of sausages. The tomato soup is excellent and typically European with a touch of cream. A big bowl is the size of your head so order wisely. I love that most dishes come with french fries or apple sauce. It reminds me of the Dutch dinners my mother used to make me. My favorite drinking dish is the big cheese plate that comes with a basket of fresh country bread. You get a blue cheese, a goat cheese, a swiss, and a smoked gouda. The small is plenty for two people. Other typically German dishes include hering, liverwurst, and potato pancakes with lingonberry sauce. My brothers went crazy over the currywurst since the sauce was actually a Dutch favorite, curryketchup.
The beers on tap tend to be primarily German, and you should definitely take recommendations from the bartender. I'm a big pilsener and lager fan, so I really enjoyed the house beer, Gaffel. If German beer doesn't tickle your fancy, they always have Stella or Guiness in the can. Let's be honest here, if you want an Irish beer, go to the million Irish pubs in the city. This is a place to enjoy a taste of Germany in the heart of hip downtown.
In the back of the restaurant, there is a biergarten (beer garden) with wooden picnic tables and benches. There is nothing fancy about the seating area and unfortunately, it's more part of the restaurant than part of the bar, so you have to wait to be seated. I highly recommend calling ahead for reservations. Overall, this is a fun place in a fun part of town. Try it out if you're looking for something different.
http://www.loreleynyc.com/
From journal Manhattan: What You Can't Find in a Guidebook!