Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Monica!

Went to Gasthaus Gutenberger (The German Restaurant on Portage Ave) last night to celebrate Monica's 25th birthday. In attendence was Brad, Kelly, Rob, Chris, my sister Tracy, and me. Had no idea what to expect as I am not really familiar with German cuisine except the pretzel. There was no pretzel on the menu. The dishes are numbered on the menu, like in a Chinese restaurant which I thought was so that the non Bavarian types could make their selections without tripping over their tongues. Apparently not as I tried to order number 21 but the waitress still had to look it up. I don't remember what it was called. Each dish comes with soup (lentil) or salad (I took the unadventerous ceasar salad) and bread to start.

I would recommend visiting this place only after fasting for a few days. The main plate was full. No artistic white space here. Apparently number 21 is the hungry man's special although everyone's plates looked quite full too. I thought I ordered a pork cutlet but apparently I asked for a whole side of pig. Rob made fun of my dish because it was pork with a piece of ham on top. There was also asparagus, carrots, a piece of califlower and a scoop of warm pickeled red cabbage and beets (something that seemed like it should have been gross, but was actually quite good). I went with the spatzle as my pasta or potato selection. It wasn't like the stuff Lindsay's mom makes but it was still good. Nevertheless, we all took home a lot of leftovers.

After the plates were cleared, Monica opened a few gifts.

Notice the accordian player in the background. He was even wearing ladenhosen and he could play "When I'm 64".

Monica said she would kill anyone who dare mention it was her birthday to the restaurant, but I think they figured it out on their own. All of a sudden they threw a hat on her head and the accordian guy is playing happy birthday and a torte with a candle lands infront of her. It was a birthday ambush if I ever saw one. To top it all off, the waitress snaps a poloroid of Monica which was later presented to her in a card. Tracy told me she wants to do her birthday there.

Happy Birthday (tomorrow) Monica!