How I heard of this place: Through my parents; apparently, the reviews had reached southern California!
Type of cuisine: "For dinner, Herb Niemann's Steak and Schnitzel House offers a mouth-watering array of steaks, Bavarian specialties, seafood and desserts. There is no substitute for great food in a comfortable setting to please the palate and Herb Niemann's Steak and Schnitzel house delivers just that."
Ambiance: Greeted by a hatchet doorknob stuck in the large, wooden door, I immediately knew we were in for a treat! The large windows along the front of the establishment barely allowed walker-by to see the dark interior, with minimal lighting. The small hallway at the entrance, wooden walls and a small white, dry erase board, listing the drink specialties, while a chalkboard provided the food specials of the evening, ended with a vine-wrapped terrace just before one enters the log-cabin-esque restaurant. Just beyond a half-wall divider between the hallway and the back of the establishment, is the grill, behind a glass window, that resembles a fireplace. The thick wooden tables and large, cozy armchairs make every seat a comfortable one at Herb Niemann's. The seats we requested, at the window, also offered a booth along one side of the table, where my parents comfortably took their seats ahead of Mojgan and I. Hunting displays, including antlers hung like a chandelier at the middle of the restaurant ceiling, Bavarian art, including shelves of ceramics and pottery, hung in the rustic feel of the interior, where brick walls and wooden accents dwell. A stone fireplace creates a sense of home and warmth, nestled among the chairs and tables at the center of the establishment, while mini white lights lace the edges of the mesquite grill.
What I ordered: Celebratin my dad's birthday, our family started with two appetizers, Breaded Zucchini ($4.95) with a Hollandaise-style dipping sauce, and Breaded Mushrooms ($4.95), each served in a small cast iron two-handled skillet. Our meals each came with a side of either Lentil Soup, Goulash Soup (made with sirloin and tenderloin), or Caesar Salad, with homemade dressing, and the option of upgrading (for a few dollars more, $3.95) to the Baked French Onion Soup. Tempted to join my dad and my sister with their orders of Caesar Salad, I went with the French Onion Soup, at the high recommendation of our server and to assist in diversifying our meals. My mom selected the Lentil chowder. For dinner, I selected the Schnitzel Cordon Bleu ($16.95), which won First prize at the World Culinary Competition in Paris, France! The breaded cutlet is filled with ham and Swiss cheese before being fried, and is served on a large, tin plate with potatoes, pickled red cabbage and green beans. Each entree is served with garlic toast, which was set at our table along with the appetizers. My parents each ordered Wiener Schnitzel ($15.95 each), a Vienna style breaded cutlet served with a lemon wedge, pickled red cabbage, potatoes and green beans. My sister selected the Schnitzel Neptune ($18.95), at my recommendation, because I wanted to try the tiger prawns served with drawn butter for dipping, alongside the breaded cutlet and vegetables on the rest of our plates.
What I loved: The garlic toast, I must admit, was my favorite thing by way of sides. I thoroughly enjoyed the crisp breading of the schnitzels, the Cordon Bleu winning my vote for taste, consistency and diversity. Despite the extra-saltiness of the French Onion Soup, I love that there was no skimping on cheese, leaving more than enough to enjoy with my garlic toast! I knew I would love the joint when I saw, on the front of the menu, a quote by Herb Niemann, Chef & Owner, "My culinary art is wasted on those who salt before they've tasted."
Why I loved it: I loved being out at a restaurant with my family. It is a rare occasion in our household to eat out, so to be able to enjoy a large, delicious meal, locally, with my family, especially in celebration of my dad's 70th birthday, was a treat all in itself!
Cost: Average ($15.95-$27.95 per generous dinner entree) read more