Röckenwagner

Röckenwagner is known for their pretzels--pretzel croissants, pretzel burgers, pretzel crusted chicken, chocolate pretzel bread pudding...yeah, you heard me right. What's a chocolate pretzel bread pudding? Well, for a chocolate lover, one might say that it's a rich chocolatey explosion in your mouth... And apparently there's pretzel mixed into it. I couldn't quite make the distinction, but it was in there somewhere. Of course, you can't have something so rich without a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The ice cream is a necessary compliment to soften the blow--in a good way of course. It wasn't as gooey as bread pudding normally is, but it was still quite good--a little too rich for my tastes, but I imagine heaven to chocolate lovers. To help you imagine this delight, there is a photo of it on the bottom left corner of the frame above.

As if we weren't already satiated enough, Allan, the sweet manager at the Brentwood location told us that the chef accidentally prepared for us yesterday's bread pudding recipe, so he's making us a new batch of the latest bread pudding recipe.  This one was more like regular bread pudding--no chocolate, no pretzel--it was literally bigger and better than the other.  I recommend sharing one order for a party of 4-6 depending on how much dessert you want.

Now let's back track to the beginning of the meal.  I started with one of their soups of the day--the mushroom soup.  This soup was delightful.  A lightly creamy broth with three different mushroom, it was a perfect light, healthy start to the meal.  

Since I ordered an appetizer I decided to go with another "small" plate to fill out my meal, because I was afraid the burger might be too large for me.  So I ordered the pretzel crusted chicken schnitzel, and I have no idea why this is considered an appetizer, as it comes with two large pretzel crusted chicken filets garnished with a side of stacked heirloom tomatoes, grapefruit, and jicama.  It was quite lovely--reminded me of being back in Switzerland actually.  I must admit though, it was slightly bland, so I asked for a side of sauce.  It would have been nice with some lemon juice, but as I was preparing to blog about my experience, I thought I'd be adventurous and experimental so I asked for a side of sauce.  I asked the waiter what kind of fun sauce they had, and he mentioned the aioli.  I said, "Okay! Bring out the aioli!"  The aioli was exception.  When Allan, the manager, saw that I was experimenting with sauce, he brought me out his favorite, which was some kind of chipotle sauce, which had a really nice spicy kick.

Their pretzel burger is a staple and it looked fabulous.   I like that it's actually like a German pretzel--knotted--because I've been to places where the pretzel burger just looked like a regular burger with a browner bun.

In the past I've had their pretzel croissant which was amazing--especially toasted. There are still so many things I need to try off their menu and from their bakery, but this is definitely a favorite of mine.  The Brentwood location, which is the only one with a restaurant (so it opens later), even has "pretzel hour" from 15h-19h every evening.  I'll definitely be going for that!  Plus, it's just so fun toe ay "Röckenwagner."

The one in Santa Monica is right off of 3rd Street Promenade and Arizona Ave., so it's great for picking up something small and taking  a stroll.

Guten Apetit!

BIG LOVE & HUGS

Love,

Justine