The Spirit Of Bavaria
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: German
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined in: March 2018
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
H.L. Mencken (1880-1956) once wrote: “There are more different sausages in Germany than there are breakfast foods in America, and if there is a bad one among them then I have never heard of it. They run in size from little fellow so small and pale and fragile that it seems a crime to eat them to vast and formidable pieces that look like shells for heavy artillery. And they run in flavor from the most delicate to the most raucous, and in texture from that of feathers caught in a cobweb to that of linoleum, and in shape from straight cylinders to lovely kinks and curlycues.”
He could not have been more correct, so take a step into the tradition and culture of Bavaria at the Hofbräuhaus St. Petersburg, which is part of the wider group of German chain plus the original spirited Schwemme (Beer Hall) Hofbräuhaus founded in 1589. Some dishes use ingredients imported from abroad, or that are specially made to feel like you truly are in Germany, not central Florida.
The Beer History:
It started with original recipes handed down by Wilhelm V, the Duke of Bavaria (1579-1597), who was very dissatisfied with the beer brewed in Munich, and so beer had to be imported from the town of Einbeck in Lower Saxony. Wilhelm ordered his retinue to think of ways of reconciling cost and pleasure, and in 1589, his chamberlain and counsellors Ch. Strabl, A. Amasmeyr, S. Prew and G. Griesmair submitted the suggestion to build a brewery and on the very same day recruited the brewmaster of Geisenfeld Monastery, Heimeran Pongraz, to plan and supervise the construction of Hofbräuhaus (the “ducal brewery”).
Hofbräu beer is now imported directly from the brewery in Munich, Germany or microbrewed according to the Purity Law of 1516. It now serves thirsty patrons in 41 countries. In September 1997, Hofbräu Oktoberfest beer was introduced at the Frankenmuth, Michigan Oktoberfest. In January 2004 across from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, next to the Hard Rock Café, in Las Vegas the Hofbräuhaus opened its doors, and now has locations in Columbus Ohio, Pittsburg PA, Newport Kentucky, Cleveland, Chicago, and the St Petersburg location which opened in September 2015.
Menu:
- Soups Starters
- Freshly Baked Pretzels
- Bavarian Snacks
- Salads
- Sausage Specialties
- Burgers and Sandwiches
- Great Bavarian Specials
- Fish
- For Vegetarians
- Side Dishes
- Desserts
The restaurant is of a very large size able to accommodate a large group of people or parties, with the addition of private dining rooms and the “Am Platzl” (Roof Top Biergarten). My wife and I joined her sister and brother-in-law, along with my father and stepmother for a lunch get together. It had been my first time to visit the Hofbräuhaus, while my wife had been to the one in Las Vegas, and my father had been to the original in Bavaria back in the 1970s. The dining room is well built having the ceiling painted blue with some clouds and the second story where the band and VIP rooms are located looking like the same architecture of that in Bavaria. It was all shaped like the courtyard of a European monastery, and a rod-iron chandelier in the center.
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| Entrance hall |
All the tables are long picnic benches resembling the beer halls throughout Germany, along with a long bar to the right side as you enter the dining room. The main entrance and Maître d area leave enough open room for large groups to all enter at one time, plus a souvenir shopping area. The small hallway entrance to the main dining room had German beer mugs and steins behind visible lockers that people who come often can rent out by the month, and drink from their own stein (pictured above). They have three main beers plus seasonal selections and a wine list. The original Hofbräuhaus boasted an on-site brewery, following the same methods used to brew for Bavarian Kings. A few of the beers that we tried during our visit included the:
Hofbräu Original:
Boasting a refreshing flavor, fine hops aroma and around 5.1% abv, this bottom-fermented brew is as well balanced as it is delicious. It has true character.
Dunkel:
This archetypal Bavarian beer still reigns as one of our most well-rounded flavors. Whether you’re celebrating the start of the weekend or a wedding anniversary, this spicy, bold brew featuring 5.5% abv. is perfect for every occasion. They also have a Maibock beer, one of Munich’s oldest beers, dating back before the days of Wilhelm V.
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| The dining room |
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The remaining members of the group that did not have the beer selections enjoyed some Auslese wines and Sauza tequila mixed with grapefruit, one of my wives favorite cocktails while dining out. The group began with a few appetizers that included the kartoffelpuffer of four crisp and golden-brown potato pancakes served with applesauce and sour cream (see pictures at the end of this review article). This was followed up with the wurstturm or the sausage tower. This was one of the biggest starter plates that I have seen in a restaurant before. Three levels of yummy are the best way to sum it up. The plate had Vienna style frankfurters, pork + chicken sausages, white veal and pork sausages, potatoes, sauerkraut, and a large pretzel with a sweet mustard that is imported from Munich.
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| wurstturm |
The third and final starter for the table was a sauerkrautbällchen or balls of sauerkraut mixed with cream cheese coated in flour, egg wash then breadcrumbs to be deep fried to a light and crisp golden-brown and served with a horseradish sauce. Sauerkraut to me is an acquired taste. I love cabbage, and I know that kraut is a very healthy dish especially if you have gut issues, and Americans like kraut on their hot dogs, but I’m not a big fan. That being said, these were delicious.
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| sauerkrautbällchen |
Going around the table my brother-in-law had the Kassler rippchen which consisted of two grilled smoked pork chops covered with a very thick house-made beer gravy topped with two strips of bacon, a side of sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. Another person at the table had the pantiener’s jäger schnitzel pork cutlet that is pan-fried topped with another thick creamed mushroom sauce and served with homemade spätzle egg noodles and finished with a crispy onion topping garnish and a side of cranberries.
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| pantiener’s jäger schnitzel |
My sister-in-law had the salat mit hähnchenschnitzel, a breaded chicken breast fried golden brown and sliced over a spinach-potato salad, served with a warm bacon vinaigrette. My father had the sauerbraten - braised beef - marinated pot roast “Bavarian style” with red wine, vegetable strips, homemade spätzle and sautéed red cabbage.
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| sauerbraten |
Finally, for my entree, I had the schweinshaxen, a pig shank that is slowly braised and served with two bread dumpling, topped with a dark beer sauce and a rosemary sprig garnish. This shank fell apart with the very touch of my form, and the meat was extremely tender.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert on this visit, but like most German restaurants the top item on the list is the classic apfelstrudel, a käsekuchen (cheesecake), and a schwarzwälder kirschtorte (Black Forrest Cake). Though during the meal we did enjoy an old Bavarian tradition that my wife order for her sister and that was ordering the spanking shot. How it goes is you order your favorite shot of liquor, then the server delivers it, asking you to stand up at the end of the table. You take the shot glass from a hand wooden paddle, and after the shot is taken, the person bends over and gets spanked three times. The entire dining room toons in and yell out the count after each smack. It was lots of fun giving us and others around us a big laugh.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.”
-David Auerbach
-David Auerbach
European Union:
Germany:
Other Noteworthy German Food Articles and Restaurants:
A Taste of Berlin Relaxed hangout serving German Grub in Brandon, Florida
Josty Bistro Eatery serving German regional cuisine at the Potsdamer Platz Sony Center in Berlin, Germany
Old Castle Restaurant German specialties at a world-style tavern in Ruskin, Florida
Old Castle Restaurant German specialties at a world-style tavern in Ruskin, Florida
Old Castle The second review was even better than the first visit to this German tavern in Ruskin, Florida
Restaurant Mark Brandenburg Sustainable & regional German cuisine at the Hilton in Berlin, Germany
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St Petersburg restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
Modern café-tavern chain with Greek eats St. Petersburg, Florida, USA | Relaxed eatery & comfort foods At the Albert Whitted Airfield St. Petersburg, Florida, USA | Vibrant Downtown & relaxed coastal cuisine St. Petersburg, Florida, USA |
A Few Florida Favorites:
President Donald Trump’s Kitchen West Palm Beach | Cool cocktails and coastal eats St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA | Old-world classic Italian & Mediterranean New Smyrna Beach |
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Hofbräuhaus a 3 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded all my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings | Max Points Possible: | Total Points Awarded: | Total Points deducted: |
Ambiance | 11 | 10 | 1 |
Food quality | 11 | 8 | 3 |
Plate presentation | 10 | 9 | 1 |
Customer service | 11 | 8 | 3 |
Alcohol and other beverages | 10 | 7 | 3 |
Total regular points awarded | 53 | 42 | 11 |
Total percentage — less the Bonus | 0.792452830188679 | ||
“Wow” factor BONUS | 5 | 3 | 0 |
Total bonus percentage | 0.0566037735849057 | ||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating | 0.849056603773585 | ||
Stars Awarded (see chart below) | 0 - 5 | 3 |
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating: | 3 of 5 Stars: 85% Rating with a 3 point “wow” bonus Exceeded All My Expectations in a Dining Experience |
Corkage fees: | This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle |
Restaurant style: | Casual dining |
Cuisine Style: | Bavarian and German Allergen or dietary accommodations: Gluten-free, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Vegan Options, and Vegetarian Options |
Reservations: | Not Required, but Recommended Walk-Ins: Accepted, but not guaranteed |
Dress code: | Smart casual or Casual attire It’s Florida, everybody wear’s flip-flops! |
Child policy: | The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette. If not then: Hire a Babysitter! |
Experiences: | Place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, Lounge, Business parties, Hotspot, Great bar, Good for special occasions, Rustic, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem. |
Payments: | Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express |
Parking: | Valet, Private lot, or Street meter parking |
Wifi | The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails. |
Noise level: | Medium |
Smoking: | Nonsmoking restaurant |
Patio or terrace: | No |
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency: | Price |
United States Dollar (USD) | $$$ |
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP) | £££ |
Canadian Dollar (CAN) | $$$$ |
Chinese Yuan (CNY) | ¥¥¥¥¥ |
European Union (EUR) | €€€ |
Alcohol prices:
$45.00 USD
Hofbräuhaus St. Petersburg:
123 4th Street S.
St Petersburg, FL 33701
Contact Information:
Restaurant website: | |
Maître d or host: | +1 727 898 3333 |
Website Contact: Email Us: | |
Serving hours: Eastern Standard Time (GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00) | Daily: Sun-Thur 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Fri-Sat 11:00 am - 12:00 am |
Social Media & Accolades: | |
****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
Farm-to-fork new American fare Sonoma, California, USA | Country style market & café w/craft beer Dundee, Oregon, USA | Refined eatery with Lowcountry fare and Southern Brunch Charleston, South Carolina, USA |
Other Pictures:
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| kartoffelpuffer |
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| salat mit hähnchenschnitzel |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
