Even the burger has a German tilt to it at Prost DC, opening on 5th Street NW on Oct. 22. The kitchen stacks a blend of Emmental and gruyere cheeses, bacon lardons, sliced gherkins, and special sauce atop two beef patties on a pretzel bun. The Bavarian beer hall from restaurateur Eric Heidenberger and his partners permanently replaces Silo, an American bistro.
Heidenberger’s father and grandparents were born in Munich, Germany, and they still have cousins in the region, making the change personal. “I’ve traveled to Germany and Austria a couple times,” he says. “We’re drafting the menu from personal experience and stuff we’ve grown up eating at our grandparents house.”
Dinner menu highlights that play will with winter include a pork schnitzel sandwich topped with cabbage, caramelized onions, and dijon mustard on a pretzel bun; spaetzle loaded with beef short rib or seasonal vegetables; and a pair of bratwursts served with sauerkraut, German potato salad, and spicy mustard. The restaurant will also be open for brunch, serving “Deutsch baby” pancakes in cast iron skillets and bratwurst-studded breakfast hash. See both menus below.
Heidenberger has created a beer list of European imports. Beers will be available in large format servings such as in liter mugs or boots. The team is also making custom wooden trays for 9 oz. tasting flights that will enable patrons to try several selections in one seating.
If you’ve been to a beer hall in Germany, such as the famed Hofbräuhaus München, you know there’s a convivial atmosphere, lots of stein hoisting, festive music, red faces, and some song and dance. That’s what Heidenberger is going for, to some degree. “A Bavarian food hall is very cultural and has a neighborhood feel,” he says. Come winter they’ll pour glühwein (hot mulled wine) and will aim to decorate their forthcoming outdoor seating area like a Christmas market.
Prost DC will have indoor seating to begin. Heidenberger hopes that within days the D.C. Department of Transportation will be finished with its street work so he can offer outdoor seating in a parklet. The restaurant may add rooftop seating in the future.
Initially, Prost DC will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to midnight. The brunch menu will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Reservations will be accepted.
Prost DC, 919 5th St. NW; prostdc.com
Page 1 of Prost Menu
Contributed to DocumentCloud by Laura Hayes of Washington City Paper • View document or read text
Page 2 of Prost Menu
Contributed to DocumentCloud by Laura Hayes of Washington City Paper • View document or read text
Page 3 of Prost Menu
Contributed to DocumentCloud by Laura Hayes of Washington City Paper • View document or read text