I closed Berghoff's Bar (i mean 17 W) last night

Thanks to the generosity of Carlyn Berghoff, on Tues eve at the new 17 W., some of the old Berghoff regulars ate better, and drank more, than they did during the closing night of the old Brghoff.

As we reported before the Berghoff closed, the wall between the bar and restaurant has been removed, which gives the place a more open feeling.
New flooring compliments the dark brown of the old woodwork, which makes the atmosphere even more cozy.

As for food, sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel are there still there. But, imho, the menu has improved. One new favorite is the Scallops, served with corn rissotto and covered with fried leeks. There are also beef short ribs.

In another bow to tradition, there is a mini-sandwich platter, with a tiny reuben, a nice halibut sandwich, a mini-brat and a mini-burger.

goat-cheese wrapped around grapes was one of several appetizers ordered more than once by the group, as were the bowl of olives and the cold salmon with mini-potato pancakes. There is a varied tapas selection, which includes a white anchovy bruschetta.

The carvery station is open during lunch with all the old favorites such as halibut and corned beef, but leg of lamb and jerk pork sandwiches will also make a berghoff (i mean 17 W) debut.

also, oysters, cold shrimp, clams and crab claws make a welcome comeback .

there will be a different "daily plate" depending on what the catering part of the operation is doing. Entre' prices remain reasonable within the $13 to $15 range.

no date has been decided for the official public opening.

a stein of beer is now $4, but the bar is the same, with no red bull ads--thank you Carlyn!

El Panzone wrote:
The carvery station is open during lunch with all the old favorites such as halibut and corned beef, but leg of lamb and jerk pork sandwiches will also make a berghoff (i mean 17 W) debut.

Thanks for the update Jim. Will it be those same two old guys manning the carving station (with all their attendant charms!)

El Panzone wrote:The carvery station is open during lunch with all the old favorites such as halibut and corned beef, but leg of lamb and jerk pork sandwiches will also make a berghoff (i mean 17 W) debut.

Both in the subject heading and in this paragraph you make a facetious "mistake" which I assume is meant to suggest, in seriousness, a basic equivalency between 17W and Berghoff.

And your description of the evening supports that, with the differences amounting to the removal of a wall and the supplementation of the Berghoff menu (rather than the replacement of it) with some new items.

So: is it fair to say, to paraphrase Mark Twain, that "the reports of the death of the Berghoff have been greatly exaggerated"?

riddlemay, yes but, sadly, no top bourbons. Also, only "Jose' el hefe'"remains. all other employees, including carvers, were/are part of the catering biz. see you there!

El Panzone wrote:As for food, sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel are there still there.

I did happen to stop by for dinner during the last week they were open and ordered the Sauerbraten.

Five small and thin slices arranged on a platter much too big and the gravy was also lacking in the tangy sweet/sour/slightly chunky department.

Not what I was expecting and I wasn't impressed.

I did feel duped by them announcing their closing (and all of the ensuing fanfare) without a whisper of the planned reopening.

i do miss roberto. i like Klas for wiener schnitzel and such. if you have not been you have to go! do a klas search on this site. yummy czech food and fantastic, cheap-at-the-price beer!

ep

Klas Restaurant
5734 W. Cermak Road, Cicero,
IL 60804
Tel. (708) 652-0795

While I live close, I don't go there nearly enough.

More often I will go to ...

Czech Plaza
7016 W. Cermak Rd.
Berwyn, 60402-2112
Tel.: (708) 795-6555
(My wifes favorite liver dumpling soup can be found here)

or ...

Riverside Restaurant
3422 Harlem Avenue
Riverside
(708) 442-0434
(Watch out for the crowds of seniors, always a good sing of a good value )

Relaxed atmosphere and good food can be found at both.

I do miss my beloved Bohemian Crown Restaurant that used to be just west of Mongomery Wards on Lake St, west of Harlem in River Forest (both demolished to make room for a strip mall).

The Weiner Schnitzel Cordon Bleu with the white mushroom gravy.

Mmmmm.

I cannot find a good Bohemian white mushroom gravy anywhere.

These restaurants were reviewed by ABC's Steve Dolinsky in this article.