Somehow mixing German/Bavarian food and the beach just doesn´t seem right, but A Taste of
Germany Bakery & Cafe and Siesta Key end up being a perfect match.
A Taste of Germany is in Siesta Village. Owner Tanja Hofmann opened the establishment in 2011. If the line of patrons on a recent weekday was any indication, the restaurant is a success.
A Taste of Germany serves German breads, rolls, pretzels, cakes, deli sandwiches, Schnitzel (pork or chicken), German brats and weekly specials. Tea and hot cocoa is offered for cold days; ice coffee, ice teas, German beer and wine along with other drinks for warmer beach times. During Season (End of January – April) their hours are from Monday – Sunday -7 Days- from 8am -8pm; off season: Tuesday-Sunday from 8am – 4pm. They are currently open for breakfast and lunch.
There is seating inside and on the outside deck, making the place a perfect spot to stop or grab and enjoy something for the beach.
Parking is available in the lot front and side of Key Corners, too.
Breakfast croissants provide a good morning wake-up. The loaded croissant is filled with tomatoes, lettuce, egg, cheese, bacon, mayo or butter and is priced from $7.99 to $11.89, depending how many eggs and how much bacon you order.
No croissants for you? You can opt from a selection of omelets priced from $8.89 to $12.99. Their specialty bratwurst and onion omelet goes for $10.99.
Another specialty is a Strammer Max: bread with blackforest ham, sunny side up eggs and melted cheese (choices) and a German pickle for $9.99.
For the lighter fare they offer a roll with butter and Schwarzwälderschinken (black forest German ham) for $4.99.
Sandwiches are very popular, and the Robin Sandwich is one of a few specialties.
The sandwich has fresh mozzarella, turkey, lettuce, and pesto on a ciabatta roll. It is served cold or warm with a bag of chips for $10.89. The Roma, a vegetarian sandwich on a multigrain carrot roll or ciabatta roll with tomato pesto, fresh mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, tomato, onion, cucumbers, lettuce with a bag of chips goes for $10.89 (meat can be added for the carnivore).
No German restaurant is complete without bratwurst, and A Taste of Germany offers three varieties,
all at $6.99, all served on a Kaiser or crusty roll with German mustard or ketchup and a bag of chips. You can add sauerkraut on it.
The German bratwurst (white) or Bauernbratwurst (red) are pork brats and you can have it as a Curry-Ketchup Brat too. There is also a Chicken Mozzarella-Roasted Garlic Brat. A Bratwurst plate (red, white or Chicken) with Red Cabbage, Sauerkraut and German Mustard costs $9.99.
Brats on the beach? Perfect combo.
Schnitzel Sandwich on a Ciabatta Roll with Lettuce, Onion, Tomatoes, Cheese (choices), German Mustard, Mayo or Ketchup $12.99.
On most days, they offer different home-made German soups such as: German lentil soup, German sauerkraut soup, pea soup, chicken noodle, and a lot more.
They also have weekly specials: Bavarian loaf (pork) with one sunny-side up egg and a small crusty roll with butter at $10.99 or gulasch (Angusbeef) with Spätzle, noodles or potatoes for $13.99.
A Taste of Germany has myriad pastries and cakes. Most change often, all are baked in the shop. Highlights are the black cherry lattice, hazelnut pastry, apple cinnamon-sugar cake, apple spice buttercrumb cake, German dark chocolate cake, homemade German cookies: Spekulatius, vanilla-Kipferl & Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and more. It’s a must to go look. They also have gluten free cakes.
“Everything is German, light, and fresh.” said Robin Hofmann. He added that there are daily & weekly specials, and homemade soups to further tempt the dining desires of patrons.
And, be sure to save room for dessert like a Buzz Bar Alcohol-Infused Ice Cream for ADULTS. This dessert comes in 6 different flavors, such as: Vanilla Daze w/Cognac or the Drunken Cookie w/Bourbon.
A Taste of Germany does prove that German food and the beach make a match on Siesta Key. (5204 Ocean Blvd. 34242 Sarasota, 941-346-1800, www.atasteofgermany.net)
Author: Siesta Sand