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Oh my goodness! What an exciting new dining experience for me on this late Saturday morning, as I enjoyed authentic German cuisine and beer at Kathrin's Biergarten, located in Rocklin, CA.! As with all restaurant reviews I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's just a little before the daily 11:30 opening time, and I've arrived at Kathrin's Biergarten, in Rocklin, CA, to enjoy some of the best German cuisine in the greater Sacramento area. Note the GIGANTIC patio that encompasses the restaurant on two sides.
Photo: Kathrin's Biergarten has been serving fine German cuisine in Rocklin since 2017, and it's both a brewery and a restaurant. The restaurant opens Tuesday through Sunday at 11:30 in the morning, as of this writing.
Photo: As you enter the restaurant, you'll be greeted by a staff member, who will seat you, and set you up with a member. Since I "opened" up the restaurant on this Saturday morning, I wasn't greeted, so I simply when to the bar and asked the gentleman for a menu, and told him that I was dining outside on the patio. If you like souvenirs, you'll have plenty to choose from, including dresses, tee shirts, beer mugs, and lots more...
Photo: The dining room is quite large, and very comfortable, and furnished with tables and stools.
Photo: The bar is the centerpiece of the restaurant. Today was late Saturday morning, so soccer games were on the television monitors, in the style of Europe. College football? Most likely it would not happen, as Kathryn's Biergarten offers the style and cuisine of Europe.
Photo: Beer menu posted at the bar on an "old school" blackboard. The beer menu is also available on a printed menu, and online.
Photo: The "Plates" section of the menu. According to my friendly hostess, the first three items on the menu are quintessential to German cuisine. That being said... I went with "Wiener Schnitzel," which tops the menu.
Photo: The patio is absolutely HUGE and wraps around two sides of the restaurant! On this 75 degree day in mid October, it was a pleasure to dine outside on the patio, as in my opinion, food always tastes better when you enjoy it outside.
Photo: The patio is large, comfortable and shaded by awnings and native oak trees, as oak trees are found everywhere in Placer County. Dining is comfortable in the winter, as the patio is heated by propane heaters.
Photo: My amazingly friendly hostess Angelina H., brought my liter of beer to me with a smile.
Photo: I went with a liter - not a quart - of what the menu described as "Munich Lager," but it actually was a "Hofbrau Original 1." What's in a name? I was totally surprised the beer was chilled, but not ice-cold, and served in a frosted mug, as you'd see at any honky-tonk bar in Texas. When I inquired to my hostess about the state of the beer, she said that's the way beer is served in Germany. OK, I'm good with that, as I wanted a total "German" dining experience. Germans are noted for their beer, so it that's the way beer is served in Germany, it's good with me. Whatever the case... the liter of beer was delicious! There is nothing in the world that is better than German beer!
Photo: Meet my amazing friendly hostess, Angelina H., who brought my lunch to me with a smile. Considering my lack of knowledge of German cuisine, she guided into the right direction, and provided friendly and efficient service. I enjoyed a great dining experience in every way!
Photo: I lift my liter of "Munich Lager" beer, and I toast to the hospitality of Kathryn's Biergarten, and my gracious hostess Angelina. Great food, great service and amazing dining at this fine restaurant.
Photo: From the top of the "On Plates" section of the menu, I went with "Wiener Schnitzel," along with a side of "Kartoffelsalt." How could I resist? Alright, I must be honest as my knowledge of German cuisine is nonexistent. So I asked my friendly hostess, Angelina, to point out to me the quintessential German dish, and she recommended "Wiener Schnitzel" which was listed at the top of the menu. She also suggested that if I really wanted to take a plunge into German cuisine, to order a side of "Kartoffelsalt." I took her suggestion with enthusiasm! Today was my first foray into German cuisine since back on Saturday, March 24, 2012, when I enjoyed a lunch at Bit of Germany, in Bakersfield, CA. Sadly, this fine restaurant is now closed. The menu at Kathryn's Biergarten advertises "Wiener Schnitzel" as, "This classic Austrian dish comes with your choice of pork or chicken that has been well pounded for tenderness, specially breaded and lightly fried. Served with lemon slices, fries and a green salad." Since I wanted to truly experience German cuisine, I opted out for the green salad and I went with a side lf "Kartofflelsalt" instead. With the "Wiener Schnitzel," I chose pork. I understand this is the quintessential cuisine of Germany and Austria... The "Wiener Schnitzel" was a large piece of pork, tender, seasoned, juicy and pounded thin. It was coated in a light, batter, and lightly deep fried to a perfect golden brown. Bits of parsley were added for presentation, along with a slice of lemon for enhancement. I had no idea that fries were a part of German cuisine, but I've never tasted a fry that I didn't love, and the fries were simply amazing! Perfect light, crispy golden brown on the outside and white, tender and juicy on the inside, just like fries should be. Three cups of mustard accompanied the meal... regular yellow mustard, a cup of - I think - Dijon mustard and a cup of what my hostess described as "spicy German mustard." I've never met a mustard that I didn't love, but of the three, I place my vote for the "spicy German mustard." Today was my first day EVER in my life to dip my fries in mustard, but in the spirit of Germany, it happened and I enjoyed every bite! The "Kartoffelsalt," which is basically the version of potato salad served in Germany was simply delicious, as I've never enjoyed anything like it before. The salad was served, on the chilled side, with lots of vinegar taste, onion, and enhancement from the parsley that garnished this fine side dish. Alright... what do I think about Kathryn's Biergarten, and German cuisine? Amazing! The "Wiener Schnitzel" was juicy, fork-tender and mouth watering, with the fries providing a delicious side. "Kartoffelsalt?" ... truly a different take on the potato salad that I'm used to, but simply delicious. The three varieties of mustard made for a great side and enhancement to this delightful lunch. I'm a fan of Kathryn's Biergarten and, thanks the this fine restaurant, I'm now a fan of German cuisine. The liter of beer made for a great dessert. But... where was the green salad, as listed on the menu? I didn't notice the omission until after I finished my lunch and started to work on this web posting. No worries, as I LOVE this restaurant, but the next time I visit, I'll keep the salad in mind, and make sure it happens.
Photo: "Wiener Schnitzel," the pork variety, fries, three cups of mustard, and a slice of lemon for garnish. Such a great lunch!
Photo: Side dish of "Kartoffelsalt," at the suggestion of my hostess. My first introduction to Germany's version of potato salad, enjoyed at Kathryn's Biergarten. I loved the vinegar, onion, pickles and the way this fine side dish was served chilled. Yes... I'm a fan of German cuisine! The potato salad was simply delicious.
Photo: Three cups of mustard, each a different variety, made for an outstanding enhancement to the "Wiener Schnitzel" and the fries. I especially enjoyed the "spicy German" mustard in the cup to the left. Today was my first day EVER in my life to dip fries into mustard, but since I was visiting Germany, and keeping my shoes on the ground in Rocklin, I was up to the challenge and I enjoyed my visit to Germany! My knowledge of European and German cuisine is nonexistent, yet I got a lesson in the amazing quintessential German and Austrian staple of "Wiener Schnitzel" with a side of "Kartoffelsalt" along with a liter - not a quart - of Munich lager beer. Amazing and delicious! I took a trip to Germany, and I didn't even leave Placer County. I highly recommend Kathryn's Biergarten for delicious German cuisine, fine dining and refreshing German beer. Kathryn's Biergarten Copyright(c) 2023 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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