German Cuisine with a California Twist

Guten Appetit! “I don’t believe anything but a German restaurant would have done the building justice,” says local restaurateur Ben Bate of the historic downtown structure that has long been a gathering spot for Germania Verein (the German-American Club of San Jose). In June, he and Nicole Jacobi opened Ludwig’s German Table on the ground level of Germania Hall. The main dining room and bar can seat up to 65, with a beer garden adding to the restaurant’s European charm.

While channeling traditional German specialties, the menu is executed with modern flair. Take the leberkäse sandwich ($12.50): A slice of grilled pork and veal meatloaf is served in a pretzel knot with a cabbage slaw made in-house; a creamy mustard sauce and pickled veggies also come with it. California produce and German flavors are both at play in the sandwich, which pairs well with the draft and bottled beers available. “The food will evolve and change along with the seasons,” notes Bate. “[It] will be fresh, clean and simple. We don’t believe in overcomplicating our dishes. The goal is to give people a wonderful meal in an amazing setting.”

261 N. Second St., San Jose

Originally published in the July issue of Silicon Valley

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