Saturday Schnitzelbank?

Last night was my first time at the Dakota Inn (can't believe that!) and I want to go back again...already.  It was so much fun!  From the moment you walk in and see the architecture and the hear the whole place singing a song together (the words are projected on the wall), you know this is going to be a great place.

Dakota Inn--Located on John R in Detroit..Not far from Hamtramck , is Detroit's only authentic German restaurant and bar.

Since I was there with a group Germans (Jaegers and Koenigbauers) they guided me through the menu of traditional dishes.  We quickly ordered a pitcher of the Dakota Inn Red  and a cheese and sausage board which was served with pretzels and mustard.  Yum! Perfect! The cheese was a mellow Gouda and the "chub" of Summer Sausage was served with the the skin still on.  I loved it and so did everyone else at the table because it was gone quickly.

German Artwork on wall

And, now the piano player takes a request!  YAY...so, we heard a rendition of "The Entertainer" and many people in the crowd sang along.

Dinner is served!  I ordered the Kassler Rippchen.  A smoked pork chop, served with hot German potato salad and red kraut...outstanding.  The pork chop was like biting into a thick piece of ham.  We also ordered potato pancakes for the table.  They may have been the best potato pancakes I have ever had.  I could taste the butter they were sauteed in and the edges were so crisp.  My husband ordered the Rouldan, which is round steak wrapped around pork, onions and a pickle.  And, we ordered the Knackwurst for the kids.  I was not a huge fan of the Rouldan. I couldn't really taste the individual flavors, but I could see the appeal of the dish.   The Knackwurst was very good and tasted and smelled just like a good German sausage should.  I would like to taste the Bratwurst next time.

And, now...what we have all been waiting for SCHNITZELBANK!

What is a schnitzelbank?

"A Schnitzelbank is actually a woodworker's bench. One of the great Dakota Inn traditions includes a sing-along about the Schnitzelbank. This is a classic German drinking song. Every night, someone leads the crowd in a song that uses the Schnitzelbank as its centerpiece."

 

The words to Schnitzelbank displayed on the wall

 The crowd loved this song...we all sang along and I know I said every word incorrectly, but I don't care.  It was fun!  The man who lead the song, used an old cane to point the the next word.  So, fun!

And, to top it all off, they had a snowflake cutting contest.  They even supplied the paper and scissors.  All of the snowflakes are then displayed on the walls!

I love the Dakota Inn.  I will be back and I am going to practice the Schnitzelbank before I return!

Sweet and Spicy Jazz and Seaweed Salad

Jazz is in my ears and everything is right.  Each night (no kidding, ask my kids) I turn on 90.9 WRCJ to listen to the sweet sounds of Jazz.  Nothing is finer than ending the day with the sweet sounds of the instruments that sound so good together.  Weekday evenings are my favorite with Tony Mowad, who is the President and Founder of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society and also serves on the board of the American Federation of Jazz Societies. He plays great jazz (Pub Jazz) and has a great voice.  I love it.  My grandfather, David Saad was a true lover of Jazz.  He loved to sit and listen to live and recorded jazz, and used to tell stories of seeking out jazz overseas when he was serving in WWII.  I like to think I have his ear for music, especially Jazz.

While I sit and listen to Jazz this evening, I am eating seaweed salad and it occurred to me that Jazz and seaweed salad have a lot of similarities.  The are both silky yet have some texture and depth, they can be both sweet and spicy at the same time and they don't fill you up too much, so you always have room for more.

Try the two together or apart.  But if you get a chance, turn on WRCJ, close your eyes, lay back and enjoy the sweet sounds...

Barbeque, Baklava and a Bike

I realize it is the middle of January, but I was day dreaming of Spring the other day (yes, already) and all of this came to mind....
There is no doubt in my mind, I seriously love barbeque.  And, I am sure the thing I love about it the most is eating smoked fat.  Sure the meat part is good too, but I really like the fatty ends of just about everything, so chicken does not fit into my world of barbeque at all...unless I am eating the skin (Slow's has some smoked wings that are very good) then forget the chicken.

That being said, I have been to my fair share of Detroit barbeque establishments and I have one problem.  I like different things at each one.  If I were to build my perfect meal, I would have to go to several restaurants to do so.  And, maybe one day I will.  So, here is my ideal barbeque meal, complete with beverages and dessert.

My vision is this...me on a bike (basket on front) in the spring, traveling around the city, filling my basket with all of my barbeque meal components.  Once they are collected, I will take my goodies to the Detroit Riverfront, on the patch of grass next to Milliken State Park where there is a large hill.  I will sit atop the hill on a blanket and devour my meal while watching the freighters go by. Ahhhh....dreams.

The meal:

Beverage:  Since there are seasonal beers on tap everywhere, I will just put my favorite here. LaGunitas IPA.  It is very hop-py but very delicious! (It has been on tap at Green Dot Stables in the recent past)

Appetizer: Slow's BBQ Wings and Burnt Ends (Brisket) from RUB BBQ Pub.

Main Course:  (I am making my own combo meal here) Texas Style Beef Brisket from Slow's BBQ and a half rack of St. Louis Style Spare Ribs from Red Smoke Barbeque.

Dessert:  Baklava from Astoria Bakery-Greektown

Enjoy!!

Baklava from Astoria Bakery

St. Louis Spare Ribs from Red Smoke