Blaue Gans

NOT A DATE SPOT This is not a good place to come if there are only two people in your party. Friday night 7:00 most of the tables were empty (see attached picture); the hostess informed us that the only available table for a party of two was next to the kitchen and bathrooms. There was no way that any of the two two-top tables that were put together for parties of four could be separated. Really? So, if you're thinking about coming here forget date night and remember: three isn't a crowd, three is a decent table at this joint. more

Great food, bad waitress. Looked a bit on the rough side, rude, impatient and not too knowledgeable, felt clearly bothered when we asked something and didn't even ask for much to begin with. Better fit for road house than a good restaurant like Blaue Gans, repelled us with her unpleasantness, loses customers for her boss. Too bad for Blaue Gans, I and my group of friends would have become great and regular customers, also would have brought many business people there and even would have booked functions. Eventually asked for another waitress and she was much more pleasant. more

Their service stinks. They overcharged me and I called them at least three times to investigate it. They never return my money and never call me back. It is one of the worst restaurants in Manhattan. more

A few weeks ago my I begin ... and essentially ended ... my evening at BG. It was lovely. I began with a large lager, followed by absurdly smooth shots of vodka, and an appetizer of french fries. The staff was so friendly, and did not question my desire to take shots at what appeared to be a beer-fest. I then had the honor of meeting the man, the myth the legend ... Kurt Gutenbrunner. The man is the definition of a good host. The crowd at this place is welcoming and amazing. There was a live polka band and patrons (myself included) tore up the dance floor ... and bar. Busting a move had me craving some meat, so I immediately ordered a chicken. The moist deliciousness of this meat was unparalleled to anything I had tried before ... Kurt, you are a culinary genius. The staff kept things going and the party flowed onto the street where I met some lovely Austrian diners - they are very fun and quizzical. I ended the evening soul-searching on a bench outside, snacking on some delicious sausages ... I wish my story ended here, but it doesn't ... my curiosity about the KG-NY restaurant group rose with the morning sun, and by 1 p.m. the next morning I had walked to Wallse from my East Village apartment. I could not get enough of these people! BG is not to be missed if you are looking for great food and good times. Pros: Kurt's culinary genious! Crowd, Staff Cons: not open until the early hours of the morning more

My friend and I decided to stop in for a drink a week back and had an absolute blast! The employees were dressed in dirndls and lederhosen.... and surprisingly some of the patrons were as well. There was a band playing traditional German music and a few couples were dancing. I've never celebrated Oktoberfest before, but I've been inspired to travel to Germany next year. Pros: Oktoberfest band Cons: I wish the space was bigger! more

My friends and I came here to celebrate the first night of Octoberfest. The end of the night is a bit fuzzy, but I definitely recall the delicious food (we all shared various appetizers and sausage plates, as well as an assortment of desserts). We were obsessed with the Currywurst and the delicious fries served with it. Desserts are to die for - get the Salzburger. Trust me. Blaue Gans also has an excellent selection of Austrian/German beers on tap and had a few Octoberfest specials. I drank most of them. Pros: Friendly, festive environment; delicious food and cool staff more

My friend was visiting last weekend and wanted to go out for a beer so wanting to show him a cool place to grab a drink I took him to Blaue Gans. I've been there a few times before so I knew they had a great draught selection and saw in their window display that they serve boots of beer (2 liters). We each got one and were honestly a bit scared at the size, the bartender even laughed with us and took our picture. We ended up staying for 2 hours while we drank our boots so decided to have some bar food, well the bar food was unlike any I've had before. We got a wurst platter with 4 kinds of sausages I cant pronounce, a giant pretzel as big as my torso and the BG wings which had all the meat pushed down in what we were told was a ""lollipop"" fashion, so delicious! Came in to drink a HUGE beer and ending up having a really nice post-dinner, all in all it was a perfect night cap. My friend says we have to come back next time he's in town. Pros: Boots of beer and amazing snacks Cons: Too many great beers to choose from more

I can't say enough about the meal I had last night at Blaue Gans. My boyfriend and I had dined at Wallse several times and had yet to try Gutenbrunner's Tribeca outpost. We were not disappointed! Much to my boyfriends excitement they even had a special Oktoberfest menu featuring so many delicious items that we had a hard time choosing what to order. Our server, who was very personable, was wonderful in explaining every dish to us and walking us through the menu. We finally decided on the wurst platter and smoked trout, followed by the jagger schnitzel and sauerbraten. Kuddos to the Chef - we were blown away. Great food, great service, great vibe. You've found two very loyal customers for the future - we will be back for sure! Pros: Great Service, Beers, Sausage and Atmosphere Cons: None! We were blown away! more

As soon as we walked in the vibe was awesome and the food and service lived up to that. I went there on a first date so there was this chance of awkward stuffiness, but our waiter was so relaxed and jovial that we settled right in. and the food and beer were tops. could not have picked a better place. Pros: Lovely, but casual too. Great service. Cons: Dessert was TOO good. more

While some may be able to spend ""$1000s"" at restaurants like Blaue Gans, my wife and I were looking forward to a special evening out at this neighborhood gem. The food was delicious, I had the Oktoberfest chicken and my wife had the Beef Schnitzel, and we were please with the attentive but not overbearing staff. It was well worth the visit and we will definitely return! In reference to the review about the child, this was the same night that we dined, and the parents were doing nothing to quiet the child, who was screaming incessantly. They would put their hand over the his/her mouth, and remove it to only more yelling. If spending lots of money allows you to behave in such a way, then that is fine, but for the people looking for a quality night out on the town, please refrain from spoiling others' nights. Pros: Amazing Schnitzels and Sausages, Kind and Helpful Staff more

Regarding the two reviews below: I was a diner at The Blaue Gans that evening and I specifically remember this table. Their child was screaming across the whole restaurant while everyone was trying to enjoy their lovely meal. You know you are a poor diner and parent when the management and owner has to tell your child to behave themselves in the restaurant. The manager was not out of place. Even if a customer has spent over $1000s at the place, as I have, one should never feel entitled in such a way. Besides these rude customers I found my meal beautiful and the waitstaff knowledgeable and patient. The food was delicious and I will be returning! more

After trying to quiet and sleepy child, exhausted from the long wait to order, and then the long wait for food, a rude hostess snapped at us. When we asked to speak to the owner he was even more insulting, then ran off cowardly. After having countless meals there before, I was shocked and insulted. Yes, an upset child is annoying, but we did not act rude to the waiter when we complained about the slow service. As a born and bred New Yorker, I'm thrilled that there are so many other superior places to eat nearby. I recommend many other restaurants on that same street - Upstairs At Bouley, City Hall, Duane Park and Max - they actually serve great food and take a moment to treat customers respectfully and with understanding. Pros: Decor reminds me off the restaurant located there before Cons: Insulted by rude owner who then ran away, mediocre food more

I was amazed by the owner's and management's rudeness. The owner was nasty then walked away and wouldn't even let us respond. I pity the staff who work there. In times like this, who needs to pay top dollar for mediocre food served in an unpleasant environment, especially when there are so many wonderful and welcoming restaurants just steps away. Cons: nasty management, bland food, rehashed decor of prev rest more

We visited the Blaue Gans last week and were pleasantly surprised (due to some not so great previous reviews). We all found the food great, the service great and the atmosphere was wonderful. The Scottish Salmon was perfect for me. Everyone at our table enjoyed their dinner. The artichokes on the appetizer menu were our favorites. The lollipops were a real surprise and we all enjoyed them. The evening couldn't have been better. more

Frankly I'm a bit surprised by the negative reviews. I live in Tribeca and eat at Blaue Gans regularly - usually once a week, sometimes twice a day! - the breakfasts are just terrific, excellent coffee, perfect pastries and a lovely quiet atmosphere (maybe I shouldn't tell y'all, it'll get noisy!) Dinners are much livlier, with a long communal table down the centre of the restaurant and booths on the side. We eat the schnitzl all the time, and dabble in other foods too. It's average for tribeca, so on the expensive side but not ridiculous. I'd be happy taking anyone there, it's classy without a hint of pretension, good service, good wines, great food - what more could you want?! more

The food at Blaue Gans is tasty and innovative. Venison goulash arrived in a lush sauce with hints of sweetness, the spaetzle was creamy and light, and the pistachio ice cream was aromatic and set off the richness of the chocolate mousse beautifully. more

Admittedly, I am not a fan of Austrian/Bavarian food, so that certainly affected my experience at this SoHo spot. Even so, this place was very disappointing. The only thing that was close to edible was the purple pickled cabbage came and that's not saying much. While the decor, with all the cool posters, was fun & enjoyable, the beige starchy food was hardly appetizing. For the price, you're better off buying yourself a beer and heading somewhere else. Pros: Location Cons: Everything else more

I go to restaurants by old school, working class rules: Pros: You can sit and talk. No-one hovers over you. Cons: The meat portions are 'thinner' than you might expect for Austrian cuisine more

In the beautiful, vaulted dining room of the old Zinc Bar. This Austrian restaurant always impresses. (1)... more

In the beautiful, vaulted dining room of the old Zinc Bar. This Austrian restaurant always impresses. more