Zum Rheingarten in Stafford is quite good. I've been there about five times and have always had a good experience. Plus they have a Biergarten during the nice weather. It's so far out though (I live in DC).

If you're feeling hip, there's also a Biergarten and restaurant (relatively new) on H Street NE.

Doner kebap is German street food, kind of like a taqueria here. Turks are the biggest minority in Germany and most Germans grow up eating Turkish food, not in the home, but at food trucks and Schnell Imbiss. So it's familiar to Germans and those of us Auslander who have lived in Germany.

The place in Leesburg also has currywurst, bratwurst and pommes frites.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, have you an opinion about Doener Bistro in Leesburg (that's way less formal but has a decent beer selection I am told) or the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown?

I haven't been at either, so thanks for the suggestions!
[Doener sounds like Turkish comfort food to my ears though]

Yes, I've been to this place and it is the turkish sort, definitly not a German joint. The restaurant started as a food truck, so you KNOW it is good.

The restaurant is really neat though. Very nice beers, and most all seating is outdoors, probably the smallest restaurant ever. Good day trip when combined wiht the outlets, and if Donner does not suit you, you can't possibly go wrong with Fireworks accross the Street.

Lyon Hall in Clarendon is wonderful. Not precisely German, more German/French/Alsatian

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, have you an opinion about Doener Bistro in Leesburg (that's way less formal but has a decent beer selection I am told) or the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown?

I haven't been at either, so thanks for the suggestions!
[Doener sounds like Turkish comfort food to my ears though]

http://www.doener-usa.com/menu-doner.html

According to this, doener kebab was invented in the 1970s by a German-Turkish chef.

Anonymous wrote:
OP, have you an opinion about Doener Bistro in Leesburg (that's way less formal but has a decent beer selection I am told) or the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown?

I haven't been at either, so thanks for the suggestions!
[Doener sounds like Turkish comfort food to my ears though]

Cafe Tirolo in Ballston has both Austrian and Italian food: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-tirolo-arlington

Not super-authentic but tasty. The menu is limited to just a few Austrian dishes but they usually have a special as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My ancestors were killed in the Holocaust. I wouldn't eat German food for anything...the smell makes me gag.

I see. So how do you distinguish between Alsacian and German sauerkraut? By what it says on the label? Or with your fine nose? Or have you cancelled everything from your menu that could be German food - i.e., potatos, salad, meat, bread, cereals?

It must be a tough life chewing only soy beans, but I suppose your principled attitude leaves you little choice.

Are you implying Jews have big noses? That's wacist!

OP, have you an opinion about Doener Bistro in Leesburg (that's way less formal but has a decent beer selection I am told) or the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown?

I wouldn't recommend The Carriage House on Route 29 (way overpriced IMO) but you might have a different opinion.

Anonymous wrote:Deutsch Essen ist lecker.

Das ist ganz wahr. Aber nur sehr wenige Americaner wissen dass wirklich.


Ich mochte gern

Bienenstich
Maultaschen
Leberknodelsuppe

Aber ich kann sie nicht finden hier in Vereinigte Staaten.

Anonymous wrote:My ancestors were killed in the Holocaust. I wouldn't eat German food for anything...the smell makes me gag.

Also VW Jettas. Naziwagon.

Deutsch Essen ist lecker.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We like Kafe Leopold in Georgetown ...but not strictly German/Austrian. Lovely place. Old Europe in Glover Park used to be good but I haven't been in ages.

I like Leopold too, including its atmosphere, although it's mostly for cakes and desserts (also pretty pricy).

Old Europe gets better after your second beer.

I love Old Europe in the Spring. I love a big fat asparagus and schweinhaxe. And lot's o beer.

Anonymous wrote:My ancestors were killed in the Holocaust. I wouldn't eat German food for anything...the smell makes me gag.

I see. So how do you distinguish between Alsacian and German sauerkraut? By what it says on the label? Or with your fine nose? Or have you cancelled everything from your menu that could be German food - i.e., potatos, salad, meat, bread, cereals?

It must be a tough life chewing only soy beans, but I suppose your principled attitude leaves you little choice.

Anonymous wrote:My ancestors were killed in the Holocaust. I wouldn't eat German food for anything...the smell makes me gag.

Your ignorance makes me gag.