Been away for a while from the forum for a variety of reasons …
Thought I’d report on last week’s Covid-compliant visit to Toronado and Berliner Berliner.
Ah, Toronado, the beloved destination for people who love beer and surly, gruff bartenders. I’m happy to note they are serving their lovely brews again in two “parklets” that are now the new norm for a number of bars/eateries.
In order to drink beer in the parklet, you have to order food from Berliner Berliner as well. Not a problem, I think the place rocks, a worthy successor to the hey days of Rosamunde.
I had a fall version of Death and Taxes, and a pint of Pliny the Elder, along with a spicy lamb sausage sandwich, came with little home-pickled jalapenos and sweet peppers too.
The MO is a bit strange when you order. The chap at the counter retains your ID, hands you a chair after you place your order. The menu for both the bar and the brat place is online and pasted outside the bar. A former shadow of the raucous place Toronado was, but there you have it. When you pay your tab, you can return your chair and your glasses, if you so desire. Cash only, as ever.
Thanks for the report, and viva Toronado. Good to hear that they have reopened. I had some sausages from Berliner Berliner before lockdown and it was basically like Rosamunde but with a slightly different sausage selection, which is good by me.
I had a pint of Pliny from Toronado and a “Bavarian dish” from Berliner Berliner on Sunday. Bars can now serve without food so you can get your meal separately (or not) if you wish.
The Bavarian dish at Berliner is a couple of their skinny brats cut into bite size pieces, along with a pretzel, mustard, and sauerkraut. The pretzel was really good. Warm with a nice crunchy outside and softer interior. I also think it was covered with butter. Went great along with the beer along with the brat and kraut.
Thanks for the note! I am always on the hunt for fresh pretzels and good beer. In my neck of the woods, I think that’s Stein’s in Mt View — freshest pretzels and best beer selection. Downsides are high prices and overly techie clientele.
If you would like to make an outing, das bierhaus a block away has good pretzels but a lower quality beer list, and the eureka! mini chain has some nice beers but i don’t think has fresh pretzels. With the focus on outdoor dining, all these places have more tables than usual. all three are within a block of each other and two blocks from Caltrain, now that maybe in our area the pandemic is on the run?
Tuesday burger from Berliner Berliner! And a beer from Toronado (Moonraker No Plans No Problems). Good burger, and juicy - get a wet nap or two from the napkin station.
Note that to get in to Toronado now you need to show your vax card and ID at the door (like all bars and restaurants in SF). Have your mask on when ordering. Once you get your beer you can bring it outside if you want to sit in their parklet.
Also, as the article notes, Berliner Berliner has closed, probably due to this. The building with Toronado and Berliner Berliner is part of the sale. I hope that they find a good owner and the bar continues on, Toronado is the best beer bar in the city.
There was a Patagonia Provisions (yes the clothing company) popup there tonight but I didn’t partake. Patagonia sells tinned seafood in addition to puffy jackets. They’ll also be at Toronado next Friday, Feb. 13.
It’s usually released about this time of the year, worth a try if its on tap somewhere near you, check-ins at Untappd can give an idea of where to find it, maybe not worth waiting in a long line though.
Had some more beer at Toronado yesterday, they were out of Younger when I got there so I tried some other triples:
Monkish Snow Giant 3x IPA - a very rich hazy IPA with lots of ripe fruit flavor,
I also had an anchovy toast from the Patagonia Provisions popup, which was good. The anchovies were in a vinegary sauce and there was tomato rubbed on the bread.
Sounds like a plan. Now I just need to scrounge up 1.75 million dollars from somewhere!
