HRMINI

UPDATED 10/13/2009

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October Dinner at the Bier Garden (http://www.biergarden.com/).  Saturday, October 17th, 7 p.m.

Bier Garden (http://www.biergarden.com/)
438 High Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-6022

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Map:  Map to Bier Garden (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?state=va&cat=bier+garden).  Free parking in parking garage next to Sports Museum two blocks away (after 6 p.m. and on weekends) on same side of street.

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Reservation made.  One check for parties of six or more.

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Attendees:

Jumping Jack Flash (me)
Warped (Jeff)
Maaco Dale +2
Phlppr + 1
Sim Bob +1
JohnyLee
ODDKIN +1 (Steve and Colleen)
BabyBMW +1 (Steve and Elaine)
General Wee
SNEEZY (Erika) + 1

Possibles:

BloodyVayne +1
RoyalGreyMCS

Das Waldcafe is a landmark for German food on the peninsula. I have never been there, but have known people that swear by the place. I was up that way earlier this week and thank God I was in the F250. Adam is right, the roads are gonna be nice...one day. But that ain't now! I think this is definitely one we should keep on the agenda. But since we were on Hampton last month, maybe we should head over to the south side for Octobers dinner.

Check out these two reviews of the place:
http://chefmoz.org/United_States/VA/Newport_News/Das_Waldcafe954313320.html
http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=15721

Ideas........

I'm ready for some sauerbraten (sp?), roads be damned!  If it's almost as good as the Bier Garden's sauerbraten then I'll be happy!

Update... scratch Oct. 16th as an option; my bro and I are going to the KISS concert.  Sauerbraten is only available on Sundays, so we can always opt for Oct. 18th as well.  Make it an early afternoon event.  And, yes, good bier variety.   :023:

Adam at a KISS concert?? I never wouldda thunk it :103:

Seriously, have fun. I've heard their shows are good.

Depending on what folks are in the mood for... ability to play musical-chairs, decent food, place to admire vehicles parked closely together...   I'm up for either side of the water, but would prefer the Southside as it makes it easier if I have to work a 12hr shift on the day we gather.

Buffets have been mentioned in the past, there are several that would have great parking for parking close together.  Other thoughts would be Grate Steak in Norfolk on Military Hwy.  (tho I'm not sure how big a group we could get in there).  Joe's Crab Shack in Chesapeake... Heck, I'd even opt for Jason's Deli in Pembroke Mall if I can just manage to make another gather!

WTF? Sauerbraten only on one day of the week?  What kind of BS is that??

Buffets are fine but I vote against the Grate Steak.  I've gone there a few times and have tried cooking my own (NOT why I go out to eat BTW) and having them cook it.  Either way it seemed mediocre at best to me each time.

 The Bier Garden has sauerbraten every day.  LOL  Once again, I can't make any plans to join up yet.  Still don't know what the plan is with work, visiting the girlfriend, etc.  If I'm free I'll be sure to join anyone for some German food.  I love the stuff.  Might have to do with growing up in North Dakota's German country.  LOL

Hey, I'm always up for trying a new German restaurant.  If you all want to do Bier Garden, it's fine by me.  I can go to Das Waldcafe anytime.   :016:

I agree with Dale. We need to try to continually move the monthly dinner around the area in order to make it easier for members from all over the Hampton Roads area to attend one from time to time. Bier Garden seems to be a popular site from the post's that I have seen so far. I have never been there, so I vote for that.

This almost sounds too official for us, so I'll second the motion. Wait, that almost sounds like one of those stuffy clubs. I can feel the fun escaping us now.

How about if I just agree :023: ain't ever been either, it's about new places right?

Anybody been here? http://www.abbeyroadpub.com/index.html (http://www.abbeyroadpub.com/index.html)

I've always wanted to try Abbey Road!!

But I'm up for whatever everyone else wants to do.  Timing tends to be more of an issue for me as I have a very odd work schedule, but I should be able to meet up after I get off, depending on where we meet.

I'm all for Bier Garden for this month.  Maybe next month we can do the Abbey Road one.  Unless it has something to do with the Beatles...  If it does, I'll sit that one out!

*Edit*

 I just looked at their website.  I'll definitely sit that one out.  I can't stand the Beatles...

Agreed! If the Beatles came back to life and did a concert in my back yard, I'd shut the window!

{GASPS}  How can you not LOVE the Beatles?!?!?!?!   :022: :022:  I must admit, they are one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE bands of all time!   :026: :026: :026: :026:

Anywho...  We went to Abbey Road once and weren't overly impressed.  We thought it would be a cool place to try, but we were very disappointed.  Maybe it was just because it was during the off-season and there weren't a lot of tourists...?   :102:

I'm all for German food!  Mmmmmm.....  Kartoffelnsalat schmeckt sehr sehr gut....   :023:

However, I won't be able to make this one...   :022: :022: 

Hopefully I'll be back in town permanently next month!   :045:  (Unless I find a job in PA, that is...  Beggers can't be choosers...  Hehe.)

OK, Bier Garden it is.  Please let me know if posted date and time are not convenient.

Sadly, Kathy and myself will be out of town on the 17th. and will not be able to attend  :icon_cry:  We will be thinking of you all enjoying fine German foods while we are chill'n out on the beach at Top Sail Beach in NC.  
Don't just LOVE the Beatles, what's up with that   :102: :017: :102:  I have walked across that crosswalk on Abbey Road myself, and barefoot as well !  It was a spiritual experience  :023:  Have also walked along Penny Lane !  It is a real place by the way. My father was born and raised in a row house in the Liverpool slum one street over from Ringo's family home. I went there as well. Before they got all drugged out, the Beatles were it !!!  God save the Queen  :023:

If it helps, I don't like Elvis either.

Agree with you on that one !

If they came back to life and did a concert in my back yard, I'd turn on the sprinklers and throw rocks at them!

* Edit * I'd have the sprinklers installed just so that I could turn them on.  :icon_mrgreen:

I despise the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Jimmy Hendrix above all else.  I used to like some of the Beatles music but back when I was 18 or 19 my job was to lay in a coffin (no kidding!) at the Wax Museum at the oceanfront and scare people.  The Beatles display was on the other side of the wall from me and it played a melody of their music on a continuous loop.  :078:

I just never developed a taste for the stones or hendrix.  Either one of them is still the fastest way to get me to change a radio station...  :102:

Yes, I posted this at 3:50am.  Insomnia SUCKS!  :091:

Me either!  I don't understand people's love of a fat, gyrating drug addict...  :102:

So is the 1st post on this correct info for the calendar?

Oh yea, we were talking about dinner weren't we? :053:

Yes, 1st post is updated.  I will notate there as well.

It's been awhile.... but you can count me, my wife, and probably my son in for Bier Garden on the 17th.  An awesome beer selection and good German food, what more could you ask for?

Some suggestions for some future meet ups....
Taphouse 21st Street Norfolk.  Nice deck outside or decent amount of space inside.  Plenty of parking either at the Taphouse or directly across the street.  Good food and good beer selection.
Regal Beagle 17th and Med Va Beach.  Great people there, plenty of room, good food.  Oh and the best beer selection in Virginia Beach.

For anyone who doesn't go to das Bier Garden on a regular basis like myself, it would be helpful to know that it is extremely difficult to find parking nearby.

However...there is a parking garage that is located next to the Sports Museum which is two blocks away toward the waterfront on the same side of the street as the restaurant.  Parking is free after 6pm and all weekend.

Not sure if I'll be able to attend, but if I do, it will be myself & a friend.

Thanks for the info, Erika.   :001:

Definitely good to know about the parking.  I'll make sure my navigator knows!

OK, I am tentativly in. Looks good right now. 2 in a green Mini!

It sounds like fun. Count me in.

Steve & Colleeen say Ja to der Bier Garden!

I am pretty sure I'll make this. I hate to miss anything HR MINI does. Any peninsula folks wanna meet up for the drive over?

Sadly cannot make it.  We will be at the beach.

And y'all will be missed   :088:

+1  :045:

We'll make this one. Steve & Elaine

UPDATE - Reservation for party of 16, inside, Saturday the 17th!

P.S. - Only one check for parties of 6 or more.  Guess they will have to split it at the register.

Ekkk, I just realized I'm down as only 1... my husband will be coming with me.  I'll bring cash so it's easier to pay my share of the check.

Put me and the Wife down for "maybe" tomorrow.

So are we gonna hang out at the parking garage. Then roll over to the garden as a group? Or just wait for everyone at the front door?

Good question...  I would say go ahead and make your way to the restaurant.  I can't see us getting too lost since the parking garage is two blocks up on the same street.  Worst case scenario... you end up driving four blocks back.

I may try to stop in after work... Depends on how busy the dealership is tomorrow. Maybe I can squeak by for a pint!

Nathan, if ya show up, the first pint is on me!

I think one of us owed the other an ice cream, but I can't remember who!

ice cream....beer.... Same difference!

The Bier Garden, A good choice once again.Count me it as 1 this time. We've frequented the Garden many times than went across the street for dessert and a movie. Good combo, depending on what's playing. Mike :045:

Um...   I'm not bringing anyone with me.

I think we should all park at the very top (open) level and walk to the restaurant as a group. 

That sounds like a plan!

I plan on heading over from the peninsula about six PM. I'll be at the shop (Maaco 827 W. Pembroke Ave, Hampton) until then.

If anyone needs directions to the shop:
I 64 to exit 265A (La Salle Ave)
Second light (railroad tracks) take a left onto W. Pembroke
Shop is one block down on the right.

Phlppr will be parked on the top!

No problem on meeting at the top.  List updated.  We may have 17 show up.  I don't see them having a problem adding an extra chair or two to the table.

late entry: see you guys there. just saw this post.

Thanks Adam for setting this up. It's been years since I had good German food. The Bier Garden certainly had that! my Brats were great. Weather couldda been nicer, but what the hey! We had a good turn out even with parking being a little difficult. We did miss Dave and Kathy though! Hope everyone enjoyed dinner as much as I did.

Sorry I wasn't able to make it, by the time I got home to change and head that way with the wife. It was already after 8:30, plus the puppy had an accident. So we had a small bit of cleaning to do. Maybe next time. I wish I could have made it to the fall colors run, but CF really isn't a fan of me taking off on Saturdays!

I hope everyone has fun though!

We missed you too guys!!   :058:

Thanks, Dale.   :023:  Yes, I had alotta fun, too.  Certainly a good, down-home German atmosphere.

Das war sehr gut, ja!

Sorry we didnt make it either..... things just didnt work out!
This weekend isnt going to happen but we do like to hit Reagle Beagle Sunday afternoons around 230ish.  If anyone wants to show up there for an impromptu Mini meet up there.  They have a great selection of beer and the food is good as well.  Oh and I cant froget the staff... the whole gang there is great.