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Business & Tech

Willkommen! Renton's Berliner Pub Delivers a Good Time

Enjoy a hearty German-inspired meal, then walk it off European-style along the nearby Cedar River.

Take a grungy watering hole, transform it into a reputable German pub, and we had friends willing to join us for dinner from as far north as Lake Forest Park to check out a new spot on Main Ave South, Renton. It took over six months to erase the land-slide of grease coating the previous establishment's bones, formerly known as 'Pounders,' said staff. Now you can enjoy drinking or dining around a sleek stone indoor fireplace, a bar stool, a long traditional wooden table facing a big screen soccer match, or hang alfresco at one of the patio's picnic tables outside. 

There is much to love about the Berliner, but I sighed heavily when we tried to order Die Berliner Platte ($18)--a sampling of 5 of their sausages, along with potato salad, and sauerkraut. Alas, on this particular Wednesday the fledgling kitchen was out of all but three of their sausage varieties..

With our choices limited, we decided to go for the Wurstplatte ($12) which allows you to choose two links from the menu which are then grilled to order, served with sauerkraut and German-style red potato salad. Of the sausages available, we chose the spicy cheese wurst and chicken Andouille, both made by Seattle’s venerableBavarian Meats, which can boast a lovely snap to their casing. Will just have to come back to try Berliner's house-made foot-long beer bratwurst, as sadly it was sold out. 

One of my first middle school German vocabulary lessons, which I can still remember (testament of an early foodie memory), started out with chapter called, “Marianna hat eine Party!”  This dialog focused on traditional German party food such as pretzels with mustard. Berliner's Pretzels with mustard are only $4--thumbs up on the presentation (two ceramic pots of mustard on a wooden board)--but these egg-washed knots were far too bready for our crew. 

Moving on to the burger, this was the star of the show for me. Maybe Berliner wants not to scare off the blue collar crowd by listing this info, but when I inquired about the source of the beef, I was told that the meat comes from Wagyu cows. If you’re not into foodie jargon, Wagyu meat is known for its marbling and superior rich flavor. 

Of the four burger choices, I selected the Emmenthaler and Pilser Burger ($8). Gooey Emmenthaler cheese polkas with grilled mushrooms above a medium-rare juicy burger. I asked about the tasty sesame seed-studded buns and they honestly answered Costco. When the beef is quality and cooked well, for $8, I can live with that. 

The side of slender frites were golden, crisp, and dusted with dill. Yes please, with a glass of Pilsner. While not all the biers on the list were available on our visit, each beer came in individually-branded imported glassware, except my husband’s choice of a full 1 liter Radeburger Pilsner ($9.50) which came in a giant glass beer Stein.

We next dove adventurously deep into the Berliner’s menu with an order of Schweinshaxe, or braised pork shanks, which husband remarked, “Tastes like ribs, but better.” These are a delicacy in Eastern European cuisine, and for $14 you shall receive a plate of slow-cooked on-the-bone meat rubbed with salt, pepper, and herbs coated with tangy finger-licking sweet and sour blackberry/horseradish glaze, plus a side of potato salad and tossed green salad. You need not be a Viking to enjoy a tender Schweinshaxe, but modern eaters will need a napkin.

Prost to the Berliner Pub! Hoping to enjoy your patio all summer long, and more importantly, hope you enjoy a healthy year-round business. Looking forward to a lunch menu... We walked off a bit of our meal and beers in the European style, by talking and ambling along the nearby Cedar River Trail. Perfect Proximity. 

Danke, Dennis and Lydia Mascarinas for believing in Renton, and bringing us the Berliner.


Berliner Pub
221 Main Ave S
Renton, WA 98057

Hours:

    Mon-Thu, Sun 4 pm - 1 am

    Fri-Sat 4 pm - 2 am

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