A New Place to Try!

Thanks, Urban Daddy, for this one! Can't get much better than Beer and Pretzels Pretzel Logic

Mini Bavaria in the East Village

VITALS Sigmund Pretzel Shop 29 Avenue B (at E. 3rd St) New York, NY 10009 646-410-0333 official website FORWARD this article to a friend INVITE your friends to join UD PERKS check them out We know what you're thinking right now: pretzels. And not those packages of salty sticks or the Auntie Anne's at Penn Station. You're thinking about the kind of pretzels made by busty, giggly Germans as they knead dough and splash each other with steins of beer. And while we can't give you that right this second, we can give you this: Sigmund Pretzel Shop, a new storefront in the East Village that may have perfected the art of baking fresh, fat, German-speaking pretzels in New York, opening today. Like most of life's pleasures, beer is involved: the Sigmund's pretzel laboratory was smart enough to borrow a secret ingredient from beer to help plump up the dough balls. That by itself—genius. But they'll also be introducing new flavors weekly, starting today with jalapeño-cheddar and caramel-pecan. Or, you can take things to the next level with something called the loaded pretzel—lumping cured bresaola and arugula or lox and dill cream cheese onto the pretzel. And for those times when food smaller than the size of your head just won't do (more often than you think), Sigmund is taking special orders on mammoth pretzels about the size of a Frisbee. Also coming soon: a full menu of pretzel and beer pairings—just as soon as the city recognizes the need for a closet-size Bavarian beer hall. But make sure you get your pretzels early, because they bake a single batch each morning. So when that's gone, no pretzel for you. Note: Sigmund Pretzel Shop, now open, 646-410-0333

Speak and ye shall see thy reward

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled"

--Matthew 5:6

Perhaps this interpretation is wee out of context, but just yesterday I inquired into the existence and nature of the Brooklyn Blast, an American style double IPA or Strong Pale (BA grades it an A-) from Brooklyn's Brewmaster's Special Reserve line. And lo and behold, I stop by BGH on my way home and there it is on tap. Ummmmm: strong, hoppy, fruity. Divine intervention? Maybe not...BGH is just one fine beer bar.

Speaking of BGH: Speed dating next Tuesday, 10/13 for all you single hopheads out there. Details here (all proceeds go to benefit the East Africa Center, who put on the event)