Last Thursday night on June 20th, Fressen Artisan Bakery opened its seasonal Biergarten, offering beer, wine, and a dinner menu. At the start of summer, Fressen at 7075 NE Glisan Street runs nighttime service Thursday through Saturday every week until the end of the Oktoberfest season. Diners can enjoy pretzels, Schnitzel, and house-made spaetzle egg noodles alongside a selection of beers on tap. The traditional German bakery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday during the summer, with the Biergarten operating a few of those evenings from 5 to 9 p.m.
Guests order from the counter and can find seating under the covered outdoor patio or one of several inside tables. Glass-paneled garage doors connect the two seating areas when open, and subtle German music heard throughout the restaurant adds to the cultural flavors of the space. The seven-item Biergarten menu offers two salads with shredded green and red cabbage or endives as its base. Their charcuterie board contains olives, house pickles, schiacciata salami, goat cheese, baba ghanoush, and a house-baked baguette. For a meatier option, Fressen serves the Nuernberger sausage board with sweet house mustard, house pickles, and pretzel. The house-made spaetzle noodles are served vegetarian with melted leeks, mushrooms, and garlic in a white wine sauce, or the chef combines the spaetzle with smoked gouda, caramelized onions, and garlic in a brandy sauce. The chicken schnitzel served with fried potato salad, red sauerkraut, and dill aioli is an impressive and filling option.
Many diners gravitate towards SE Stark Street when making evening plans. However, NE Glisan Street continues to build on its own collection of eateries and bars. People looking for a unique late-week experience should consider Fressen’s Biergarten while it is open and venture out on NE Glisan to experience the growing number of destinations along the street.
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