Das Boot

I don't know how, but I almost forgot you tell you about Das Boot.
It all started when I was visiting Super Gnarly Cousin in SF and we were having our nightly dinner decision discussions (say that three times fast!). They pretty much went like this: "Well, what do you feel like?" "I dunno, something awesome that I can't get in Vermont." I know, that didn't help too much. She suggested German food and that sounded good, I couldn't remember the last time I had good German food. Then she mentioned das boot. Das Boot? Yes, Das Boot. And viola! A decision was made.

I was very excited to say the least. We headed out to Hayes Valley to this cute little place called Suppenküche. Suppenküche claims authenticity, and we just happened to be table-mates with a family visiting from Germany who agreed, and enjoyed the food (good to know!). The food was awesome, and the atmosphere was great. It's a tiny place, and they pack a lot of people in there, sharing tables, and standing at the bar. I think I remember lights and cute decorative things hanging off the ceiling, but I can't be so sure now. Whatever it was, I liked the place, it fit me.

We started with an appetizer of Reibekuchen mit hausgemachtem Apfelmus (potato pancakes with applesauce). It's something that I love in moderation, but I never think to order when I'm out. They were delicious, a perfect combination of starchiness, crunchiness, greasiness, sweetness, and coolness. I don't remember what S & J got, but I ordered the Jägerschnitzel in Champignonsoße mit Spätzle (porkloin, mushroom sauce & spatzle). Talk about comfort food...it totally hit the spot. I'd have a hard time ordering something else if I went again.

The food was awesome, but I'm here to talk about something else. Das Boot. Filled with 2 liters of Helles, our boot was not the biggest boot of them all. They offered a 3 liter boot, and a 5 liter stein (a bucket?) which is just insane. They are all made out of hand blown glass imported from Germany, so it requires a $50 deposit if you break it (yikes!). We all shared Das Boot, and I was given the honor of finishing it.

A 2 liter boot of beer seems enormous, but really, it's not too bad. It's only about 4 pints of beer. I recommend sharing it like we did, that way it doesn't have time to get warm. After all, you can alway order another. Plus, das boot is a lot of fun. Everyone should get das boot.