I've been to Blaue Gans a number of times over the past few years and there is always something that brings me back, especially when the air's turned chilly and the days get short. The menu is a greatest hits of satisfying German and Austrian comfort food, from schnitzel to herring to weisswurst to Viennese pastries. It's all served in a genteel yet relaxed atmosphere: think art deco bistro with quirky art exhibition posters. It does tend to get a little loud and crowded in the evenings, but is the perfect spot for brunch.
The schnitzel is some of the best that you can find in the city - tender, moist and crunchy, not overcooked and rubbery like so many other places do it. The potato salad is a bit runny and missing some acid for my taste, but the herring salad was spot on - creamy, vinegary tart and in your face fishy. I could have eaten about a gallon of the stuff. The other benefit is the extensive (and affordable) beer and wine selection that is focused on Germany and Austria. It shakes things up a little bit and obviously pairs with the food fantastically.
The crowd always seems a bit mixed - older folks with their grown up children, bohemian hipster types, early 40s Tribeca parents with their 5 year olds, downtown bankers, and academic foodies. At least it keeps the scene interesting, and there is no shortage of people watching. It's definitely the kind of place that I head to when I want to have a satisfying meal at a reasonable price that isn't uber trendy but happening in its own way.
The schnitzel is some of the best that you can find in the city - tender, moist and crunchy, not overcooked and rubbery like so many other places do it. The potato salad is a bit runny and missing some acid for my taste, but the herring salad was spot on - creamy, vinegary tart and in your face fishy. I could have eaten about a gallon of the stuff. The other benefit is the extensive (and affordable) beer and wine selection that is focused on Germany and Austria. It shakes things up a little bit and obviously pairs with the food fantastically.
The crowd always seems a bit mixed - older folks with their grown up children, bohemian hipster types, early 40s Tribeca parents with their 5 year olds, downtown bankers, and academic foodies. At least it keeps the scene interesting, and there is no shortage of people watching. It's definitely the kind of place that I head to when I want to have a satisfying meal at a reasonable price that isn't uber trendy but happening in its own way.
