Say prost this weekend! There are plenty of Oktoberfest shenanigans to indulge in, plus a harvest festival to welcome fall back to Bay Ridge.
On Friday saunter over to Schnitzel Haus (7319 Fifth Ave. between 73rd and 74th streets) at 9 pm for your weekend stammtisch with friends at the neighborhood’s home for all things Deutsche. For $20 you can test your strength in the stein-hoisting competition, and find out who among your crew can hold a liter of beer above their head for the longest — the winner gets a big glass boot! Or you can hold a pint up in your hand like a normal person, choosing from three special Oktoberfest brews from Hofbrau, Erdinger, and Dankleacker. Each will pair nicely with the gaststatte’s specials, which include pork shanks served with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, sauerbraten served with potato dumpings and red cabbage, and German-style pretzels.
Waltz over to Hunter’s Steak and Ale House (9404 Fourth Ave. between 94th and 95th streets) on Saturday — or any day until Oct. 16 — for the lokal’s annual Oktoberfest specials. Chow down on some authentic breaded pan-fried pork schnitzel, stuffed cabbage, and homemade apple strudel. The kitchen will be cooking from recipes passed down from the restaurant’s previous owners — the German restaurant Lorelei’s. The menu will set you back $27.95 for an appetizer, entree, and dessert (beer not included!).
On Sunday, say willkommen to autumn at the annual Fall Harvest Festival at Narrows Botanical Gardens (Shore Road at 70th Street) from noon to 5 pm. You can meander the pumpkin patch and pick an orange gourd to decorate your stoop, join the square dancing, and browse the wares of local artists at the crafts fair. And check out the first canine costume contest of the season — the dolled-up doggies will start strutting their stuff at 2 pm.
