Crossbar

After a day of riding all over Baltimore watching other people work really hard, I had worked up quite the appetite. What better way to top it off than to get a German beer, and have some German Sausage? The Crossbar was four years in the making, and finally opened about a month ago. We had heard that it is normally quite busy, so why not go on Cinco de Mayo weekend? We walked by tons of full Mexican bars, that were celebrating in a way that only Fed Hill can do it.

We pulled up a spot at the bar, just as two brothers came in. The younger one was having a grand ol’ time, wearing his Sombrero, drinking his liter of German beer (and helping his brother with his as well) and checking out all of the food we were getting. He was doing more of an international tour of Baltimore than we were. We gotta step up our game!

Of course, you can’t go to a Biergarten and ask for a whiskey, neat (although, I guess a Jägermeister or Schnapps shot would have been ok). While I have never been to Germany, their beer selection seems quite German. I got a Paulaner Hefeweizen, which is from a German brewery, established in 1634 in Munich by the Minim friars of the Neudeck ob der Au cloister. It tasted like most other Hefeweizens that I have had, but my unrefined whiskey pallet is not quite as tuned for the nuance of beer.

Maureen had a Schofferhofer Grapefruit beer. I had to Google that one to find out if that was actually German, as a fruit flavored beer doesn’t seem very German. But it was good, if a little sweet. She has had it in the past, and mixed it with Grapefruit vodka (whoa, Nellie). And it didn’t disappoint this time either.

We then had Currywurst, which was sausage over fries, with ketchup. Again, I thought this an Americanized version of whatever Currywurst actually was, but it turns out that this is what German’s consider fast food. It wasn’t bad, but wasn’t anything special. It was definetly fast food level food, although anything with ketchup on it seems to drop to that teir.

Next, we had Baltimore style sour beef dumplings. I have never had it before, but it turns out that it is a Baltimore original with German roots. It was good, but did have a certain texture that seemed to indicate that it might have been frozen.

This was based on Sauerbraten, which is what Maureen was expecting. Saurbraten is a pot roast with potato dumplings. This is not to say that this was done in correctly, its just that this dish actually was an American take on a German dish. I am going to file this one away for the future, because I would be curious how this sour beef dumplings stacks up in our fine city.

We finished up with weisswurst, which is a veal sausage with sauerkraut. Wikipedia describes it as sausage that “is usually flavored with parsley, lemon, mace, onions, ginger, and cardamom, although there are some variations.” I didn’t get those flavors, but it did go well with the beer.

In the end, Crossbar is a great addition to Fed Hill, and has a good selection of German beers. It has a great atmosphere, and is quite the departure from most of the other bars in the area. It has the trappings to be a mega bar in the area, but has made agreements with the Fed Hill neighborhood association to limit a few of those things including:

limits to the bar’s capacity

stipulates a 50–50 food and drink sales ratio

keeps the kitchen open until at least 10:30 p.m. daily.

If you go in hoping for a German experience like the Old Stein Inn in Edgewater, where it has great food and beer, you will be disappointed. But if you go in expecting a bar with above average bar food, then you will have your expectations exceeded.

It does show an unfortunate trend in the Fed Hill restaurant scene though. In our first visit, we were blown away by Byblos Lebanese food. But so much of what seems to be opening in the area seems to be very bar focused. As someone who doesn’t live in Fed Hill, it doesn’t really effect me. If I did, I might be looking to move slightly further away. Although, I say that as someone living close to Fells Point, which has quite the thriving bar scene as well.

The Wrap

We finished the night by getting a Mint Jeulip, watching the 2 minute long Kentucky Derby, and hanging out with friends. Crossbar is a step up from Das Bier Haus, but still leave a bit to be desired in the food department.

Maureen has plans for a future Baltimore Around the World post where we will stay home, make German food, and dine on the rooftop. I make no promises that entry will be at all balanced or fair, as I have a pretty clear conflict of interest in that scenario. A critical entry on her food would endanger my future prospects of home cooked meals.

Next week, we take this show for our first Baltimore Around the World, outside of Baltimore! Just like when Scrubs went to the Bahamas, we will be going to the beach to add some spice and intrigue to the story line. After a bottle episode like this, our next episode will involve a half marathon, St Micheals, and drama that you will have to watch to believe. Tune in next time!