Himmel Haus serves up German fare at opening party
By Linda Fine Conaboy
A nearly perfect location at the site of the old Christiana Inn coupled with unique menu selections promises to be a winning combo for one of South Lake Tahoe’s newest restaurants.
Co-owner Zach Latzka and Megan Arneson, director of marketing and sustainable operations, work the bar during the preview party at Himmel Haus. Photos/Linda Fine Conaboy
A bevy of beers from Germany and Belgium, some with hard-to-pronounce names, flowed at the preview party thrown by co-owners Zach Latzka and Matt Eastling to introduce their new Himmel Haus restaurant located at 3819 Saddle Road, just across from Heavenly’s California Lodge. Partiers quaffed their frosty brews in the spacious bar and then drifted to the dining room where delicacies such as wild boar, rabbit and buffalo sausages awaited.
Besides the sausages, we feasted on chicken and pork schnitzel, dill shrimp salad and black forest cheese cake—and this was just a small sample available from the ample menu.
The Himmel Haus fun bus will soon become a familiar sight as it cruises around town advertising the new restaurant.
The fare, while simple, features traditional German recipes with, as Latzka said a modern California twist. “Himmel Haus aims to offer fresh, high quality, hearty comfort food at a reasonable price,” he said.
The restaurant is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30pm-midnight, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4:30pm-2am. A special after-dinner menu will be available in the bar from 10pm-2am on weekends. Regular hours start July 10.
Sounds like fun
I wish them the best of luck! They should consider having Apre-Ski parties with German music during ski season. When I lived in Aspen many years ago, everyone went to the Red Onion for Apres-Ski & German music – fun! Skiers can walk from the old Calif parking lot.
Maybe their bus could take folks up the hill from Hwy 50@ Ski Run after the Queen docks or every hour for others…maybe install a bike rack near a bus stop for summer visitors…
Himmel Haus’s opening night was a delightful treat for our taste buds and senses. The owners were busy checking at every table to make sure thier patrons were enjoying the experience. Thier staff were just as concerned and willing to make everyones experience a great one. As for the food, what a pleasant thrill for our taste buds. Seriously, the chef knows how to combine flavors and the presentation was excellent. My rating for this experience is a 9. It would probably be a 10 yet they did not have the apple desert available. This restaurant is a great addition to South Lake Tahoe. You will enjoy the food, laugh with friends, and relax with great service. The great Beer selection didn’t hurt either.
Thank you and good luck.
ronc
5 out of 10. Food was a bit greasy and the beer was expensive. Staff was great n enthusiastic.
We’re looking forward to giving it a try. We love German food.
What a treat! Something truly different and really fun. Can’t wait to go back and try more beer
Excited to have a German restaurant in Tahoe only to be let down. Let’s start with the beer selection as it was the best part of the experience. The selection of beers covered most types of German beers however the price charged is extortion!!! We started with the pretzel appetizer that tasted like it had been frozen, microwaved and a week old (waiter recommended it). Next, is the entree selection as it left me wondering if I came to a German restaurant to enjoy some hearty German food or a trendy bistro to dine on heart healthy salad. The menue leaves out traditional german sausages, sauerbraten, spatzel, german potato salad or jaeger schnitzel and
WOW what a great place! The food was okay, and the beer was great. The best experience my wife and I had there was the cheesecake. OMG after we ate that cheesecake we wanted to thank the baker personally, but were told he was not available that night. The last time we enjoyed a cheesecake that great it was from my brother in-law who spent two years learning to bake at the C.I.A. (Culinary Institute of America). Absoloutly AMAZING! Thanks guys.
Brett