What makes a great meal great? The Cuisine? Of course. The ambiance ? Absolutely. The service? Definitely. But a dinner will be truly fabulous only when these elements come together in perfect harmony. Price, publicity and fanfare are all irrelevant as you will discover when you visit Checkers Old Munchen in Pompano Beach.
The restaurant’s quaintness and charm stems in part from the dozens of unique beer steins that line the white beamed walls A large bar dominates the front of the dining area and a small wall creates two sections lined with neatly arranged rows of tables, The relaxed, informal ambiance inspires a boundless exuberance among the patrons. It’s a fun place to be, due in no small measure to Kelly and the dedicated staff.
Start with the German Onion and Apple Soup ($4.99), a luscious creation filled with superlative ingredients. The crunchy crouton, the flowing provolone as well as the tender onions and the all embracing broth makes this selection a must have opener.
Kartoffelpuffer ($8.99) may sound like a mouthful to the uninitiated, but one bite of these lighter than air potato pancakes will keep you taste buds yearning for more. The crisp golden exterior harbors a sensuous blend of grated fresh potatoes and select herbs.
You can add enjoyment to every morsel with one of the thirty plus German beers (Ayingers Octoberfest ($7) is outstanding). The wine list draws heavily on German vintages (Peter Brum Riesling ($8/glass) deliciously complements a variety of dishes).
Checkers Chopped Salad for Two ($7.99) with its blend of fresh veggies, blue cheese and an uplifting dressing is the perfect prelude for a variety of favorites such as Bratwurst, Knockwurst and Sauerbraten. But to truly understand why Germany is second only to France in the number of Michelin starred restaurants, check out the phenomenal dishes grouped in the Specialty Entrees.
Jaegerschnitzel ($17.99) features beautiful fork tender pork cutlets smothered with flavorful onions, mushrooms and an unforgettable white wine tinged sauce. Sides of fragrant cucumber salad, tangy red cabbage and a fragile potato dumpling add magical touches to this very elegant dish..
Then there was the superb Pan-Seared Lemon-Riesling Grouper ($18) paired with spaetzel and mashed potatoes. The flavors of the perfectly sautéed filet and vibrant sides yielded a delicate vivacity to this adroitly executed entree.
Kelley’s German Chocolate Cake takes one of my all-time favorites to new heights with its luscious frosting and rich nut infused layers. No less extraordinary is the Homemade Apple Strudel overflowing with a fresh apple filling wrapped in a satiny crepe and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For more about Checkers Old Munchen log onto www.checkersoldmunchen.com.
2209 East Atlantic Boulevard • (Tel) 954-785-7565 • Open everyday