Blaue Gans Restaurant   

Strange - we've been here a number of times for dinner as well as brunch and each time has been: a) relaxed and with excellent, friendly, helpful service - good suggestions on wine and food (not just the more expensive selections) and b) very delish - I don't know about German "authenticity" but we've always found whatever we've ordered to be very tasty -not necessarily flashy - but exciting all the same and with dramatic flavors.. the food here always seems special and not something we could get at a billion other places around.. we do always seem to go in late - towards the end of dinner-time or brunch - so it's never that busy while we're there which COULD account for the good service but the food, I doubt, would be any different.. It's great to have this as one of our local neighborhood favorites..

I tried many German restaurants and this one was the worst I have been to. It is a joke.They don't have an idea how real German food has to taste!It is not fresh(they take it out the freezer!)and too expensive. Not much selection and the red cabbage-excuse me-what was that?Besides the bad food-there are at least 10 people who run around and look like they are soooo busy and needed...well a little tip->it bothers the customer!!! Oh yeah and the Manager or whatever he was does not show respect towards his employees-you can see how intimidated they are! They should look for a new job!Hey if you ask me they don't deserve one star!

I just lunched at Blaue Ganz, and had a huge succulent pork schnitzel, mushrooms, bacon in a perfect cream sauce, an exciting red cabbage salad, herb-sherry vinegar dressing. I had unrushed, attentive service. My server knew her Austrian wines well, and made just the right recommendations, even offering a taste first. Later, a Baked Alaska style meringue over fresh huckleberries. The fruit, only gently cooked, preserved the character of the berries. The latte cappuccino was deep with earthy bass notes, better than any NYC restaurant coffee I'd ever had. Posters of works by a legion of modern artists covered the high arched walls, recalling an era long gone: perfect. As I left, saw a display of jams and preserves. I bought three jars, including one of Franko's Berry Preserves. In my life, I hadn't ever tasted a preserve as good as this, made by Pierre Reboul, their pastry chef. I've spent my life in a restaurant career, as co-worker, master chef and owner; I know what it takes to make one good: devotion to a standard of excellence, teamwork, and hospitality. My experience rated two stars. I'll be back to this one.

I met a friend here for lunch last week for our annual celebration of her birthday. The food was very good (the hanger steak with arugala and parmesan salad is great if you're on South Beach) and well priced -- even if the service was a bit slow and inattentive.