Monday, May 21, 2012

Deutsch im Sommer - in San Francisco?

Summer 2012: CCSF will be offering a German for Travelers class through Continuing Education beginning July 2 – August 3, 2012.  The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00-6:30 p.m.; the course fee is $150 ($15 discount if registered by June 26).   This will prepare you well for venturing to German-speaking countries this summer, or even to Eastern Europe, where German is also widely spoken.

If you're staying in San Francisco for the cool, gray summer, then you can still experience a bit of German culture at various San Francisco venues.  Start with the Goethe Institute for regular events, then visit a German restaurant for some good beer and Schnitzel.  Here are some suggestions for finding that special German place in the City or East Bay:

Try the Suppenküche at Laguna and Hayes for fine German fare in surroundings inspired by a Bavarian monastery. For some “East German” specialities, hammer on into the Walzwerk, south of Market. And don’t forget to try some “cold dog” (kalter Hund) for dessert!? And on Folsom at 20th there’s Schmidt’s, offering such specialities as Zungenwurst and Sülze, as well as baked cheese Spätzle for vegetarians. Wash everything down with a hearty selection of German beers! Prosit! 
 
If you’re in the East Bay, the Speisekammer in Alameda, owned by the folks at Süppenküche, serves up lots of Gemütlichkeit.  And in Berkeley check out  Gaumenkitzel, offering fresh, local, and seasonal cooking and baking with a North-German twist.