Heartbreak (CLOSED)

Sunday evening, 8:30pm. this huge place is almost empty and they put us snottily at the poorest table just on the way to the kitchen and far away from the numerous, empty tables by the open windows. At 9:30pm friends of the manager were placed at one table by the windows. (the place never filled up more than 15%). The waitress spilled my husband's beer all over him (that was an accident and this is not why I rating service so poorly). Eventually we were given a card on which the manager's first name was handwritten and told to submit the dry cleaner's bill for reimbursement. On the bright side, the service became more pleasant after the beer dousing. A fresh beer was brought, but I guess it would have never come to the mind of the manager to offer my husband a free beer! The food was good (I am Swiss) but nothing special. When we had finished eating, after he had spent about 30 minutes chatting with his friends, the manager stopped by to apologize for the spillage. We did not need his apologies, but if he felt they were necessary, he should have come by earlier. My suspicion is that the frigid, uncaring, snotty tone here is coming from management.

I came here for a friend's birthday with about 20 people. (FYI $2.50 cake fee for each person) Food: Our appetizers came quickly. My friend and I ordered the smoked salmon for $10 (all apps are $10+). I counted about 5 slivers of smoked salmon on top of the little potato pancake (which btw on the side is $6. Give me that $6 and I'll freaking make you the best potato pancake/aka crushed tater tots of your life). It was good (not AMAZING), so a waste of $10. You can get a whole packet of smoked salmon at the supermarket for $15, couldn't Heartbreak just be a tad bit more generous with their minuscule slivers? We then sat there and waited an excruciating long time for our main courses, perhaps 45 minutes-1 hour. We ordered the veal with mushroom sauce, also served on a potato pancake. It was pretty good and definitely filling, but again, it was a moderate amount of veal pieces, generous on the mushrooms. I tried my friend's fondue which was a bit bitter (because of the white wine), but I really liked it! Their bread crust is too hard/chewy for me. Decor: The decor/ambiance is definitely nice, plus this place is pretty big for a restaurant in the East Village. Nice bathrooms, but there was puke in the sink :/ Service: We got greeted/seated easily enough, but the waitress must've been sleepy, cranky, off her game, or all 3. We waited awhile for her to get our wine order, and then some more for her to finally take our meal orders. She also didn't seem too friendly or ready to help... she had a look on her face like something smelled the whole night. To summarize, incredibly slow service with the food, but you have bread (hard crusts though!) and butter to munch on.

I went there yesterday and had a wonderful time, nice service, awesome food and very comfortable atmosphere! Go there and check it out! You really should!

The fondue here is to die for and perfect for sharing with friends. Certainly the best I have had in the city. I'd particularly recommend the mushroom fondue. My party shared several entrees and we were most impressed by the veal with mushrooms and cream sauce, it was out of this world. The sauce is delicious with the roesti. The trout and the filet were also quite good.There was a good beer and wine selection, with many reasonably priced options and the service was impeccable. Atmosphere is cozy and perfect for those cold winter nights. We will definitely return.

Quality "german" cuisine in a town that is severely lacking. Service was excellent, generous and good looking. Good beer and wine selection.

We didn't read anything about this resto prior to our dining. Our initial impression once seeing the decor and menu was; "What is this?" Is it French, German, Japanese, Swiss... a lot of confusion especially after two cocktails. Well... its all of the above! The decor is nicely appointed. The bathrooms are intriguing--however, if you are handicapped, you're going to have a problem! The food? Hmm...nothing memorable. (Hold on a second) The food was wonderfully prepared and wonderfully presented but... it just lacked taste (seasoning) We had the escargot as an appetizer. BEAUTIFUL presentation and quite edible but.... Then we had the pork shank as an entree. The meat literally fell from the bone and the potato/green "whatever" was REALLY good! However, the meat was just not seasoned enough. Never one to reach for a salt shaker we wished we could have had access to one--which was nonexistant on the table. Total cost without drinks and dessert BUT including tip--$40. The service was VERY good!!!

Rotelle AG on 7th St (closed 03?) was one of our favorite restaurants. We used to go there for Ingrid's fondue, smoked trout with lingonberries, the veal in creamy mushroom sauce, perfect schnitzel, roesti and spaetzle. 8 years later, here is Ingrid! Co-owned by the sweet guy who owns Pylos on 7th St (which we also love), its a sleek windowed space with warm wooden walls, comfy banquettes, plenty of room. The table of 4 shared the classic house fondue, with veggies, pickles and delicious crusty bread. Nice waiter recommended a crisp Swiss wine - perfect - and then a French one, both dry and aromatic for the entrees. Entrees are fairly priced, generous and have great touches, like earthy smoked tomatoes and toasted almonds on my sauteed perch. Want to try the poussin with savoy cabbage. Husband loved the veal and cream sauce, of course. Curry wurst was just like Berlin. A spaetzle gratin had sweet roasted onions throughout and put daughter in elated state. Chocolate fondue for dessert was more adult than kid, not overly sweet, great coating for the fruit and sweet bread pudding that came with it. While I liked (ok, loved) Rotelle's Christmas-all-year-round kitchy decor and blinking lights (to this day replicated in my own home), I think I could grow up and go for the creamy in this elegant atmosphere, watching Second Ave through the windows. Also looking forward to sitting at the long lovely bar there, eating fondue, glass of wine, watching it snow. The menu posted on this site does not go into the detail in each dish. Just go see for yourself.