When I was in NYC last week, one of the first places we went on Sunday night was Rolf's. And don't let the outside fool you. It is dubbed the "city's most festive restaurant" due to its extra few baubles, bangles and beads, for the holidays.
Rolfs has been a Gramacy Park staple for close to 50 years. Passer-bys and locals don't just come for the decor but the food, made and served with a Teutonic flare, although the staff can get a bit surly. The menu consisted of Bavarian German dishes like Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Bratwurst, sausage platters and more. Although the main dishes may take up to 2 hours, the drinks flow...and are readily available. One of the largest wine and beer selections in the city...featuring local varietals and from other countries. Not to mention a huge selection of German beers. The bar also offers copious amounts of spiced egg nog, mulled wine and hot apple cider.
But the interior at Rolf's is very over the top and very kitschy. Think hundreds of thousands of lights, ornaments and icicles all strung and lined throughout the joint. There are hundreds of porcelain dolls and wreaths, artificial fir trees, garland and ribbons and bits and bobs everywhere. Coco Chanel make not have approved. But the kitsch and all, Rolf's Victorian -style decor is what makes this place popular, and the line sometimes around the block...even maybe more so over the food. Rolf Hoffman initially founded the place in 1968 and is a strictly German joint. After his death in 1981, his partner Robert, and staff member decided to keep the place alive as per Rolf's wishes. It you like Christmas don't miss this place, and I understand the decor stays up till April...so you can take all the finery in if you miss it in December.
Beware it is packed. I think I felt my very own wienerschnitzel grabbed a few times.
Sorry, that's a little too much for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought you could handle a lot of balls at once?
DeleteI was flabbergasted when I walked in.
I was wondering if this is some of your work? It is Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit much for me, nice to see once...but the food was DELISH! What queen doesn't like to nosh on a foot long????????????
DeleteI had Uncle Rolph.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Wow, talk about over-the-top Christmas! I'd love to go once just to see the decor. I have German-Swiss heritage but -- true confession time -- I don't really enjoy typical Germanic food. I find it tends to be heavy, sometimes greasy, and way too meat-based. On the other hand, I love fondu and Black Forest cake!
ReplyDeleteYou know me...it can never be too meat-based!!!!! But I with you on the fondu and Black Forest Cake! And yes, nice to see and experience. Once.
Delete" I think I felt my very own wienerschnitzel grabbed a few times."
ReplyDeletewouldn't surprise me with such a prominent piece of meat on display.
MM#1 Fan did comment- "Look, it's like Maddie on a plate."
DeleteI never saw this place in person, or a place with more balls than my corner glory hole.
ReplyDeleteHahaha!! Way too over the top for me!! Too much Christmas!!! It's giving me a migraine!!
ReplyDeleteSx
If I had gone in drunk, I might have thought I was hallucinating.
DeleteThe decorations in this tiny place are AMAZING...really puts you in the Holiday spirit. A drink at the bar would have been sufficient, but we can say we all went and that was enough.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's face it, you boys would rather see the Mistress's balls! Much better.
DeleteHOLY BALLS BATMAN!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe decorations look great, if a bit much... it's like an over-the-top Grotto. I think a drink at the bar would be all I could handle. And we know I love balls.
ReplyDeleteA bit busy even for me. Was the schnitzel well pounded.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful place! I would say baroque!
ReplyDeleteand the dishes look delicious, but high in calories!
Yep I can see the Baroque influence.
DeleteI’m sure you can well imagine how much work goes into that every year. Holy moly! But that would be a bit too much visual stimulation for me.
ReplyDeleteIt was for me too Mitchell. I was ready to leave when we were done eating.
DeleteThat's enough to put me off my food. Jx
ReplyDeleteHence the heavy, copious amounts for drink.
DeleteOh my goodness! That's CRAZY but I love it!
ReplyDeleteCrazy sums it up Jennnifer.
DeleteThere's a German restaurant up in Henderson that is quite like that. Over decorated, but festive, all year long and then Christmas comes and it's madness all around. And the food? oy!! I may have to look for this place the next time we're in NYC.
ReplyDeleteNot the best place I'd ever been, but it was a experience, just once.
DeleteI didn't remember the place till I saw that portrait in the last shot!!! We ate their many years ago . I recall the meal being very heavy but pretty tasty. We. weren't in at Christmas, otherwise William might have reached his expiration date right then on the spot. A few bits and bob?!?!?!?!??!
ReplyDeleteBig says,
ReplyDeleteHoly..... That's a lot of beads! Weren't you afraid they'd fall on your head???? LOL
Wouldn't be the first time balls hit me on the head!!!!
DeleteGlad I don't have to hang all those baubles up
ReplyDeleteTorrie would be endlessly entertained by those decorations.
ReplyDeleteTundra Bunny here... Rolf's looks a little too claustrophobic for my taste. Sounds like you managed to get outta there with your schnitzel in one piece though!
ReplyDeleteOh to eat here!!
ReplyDeleteToo much is never too much... this is so much fun. Hope you had a lovely time. Color me green with envy.
ReplyDeleteHoly Balls Batman!!!!!!
ReplyDelete