"If a family turned their large dining room into a beer hall, it'd look something like Himmel’s. The Ravenswood space is covered with knickknacks like instruments and family photos, and you can drink cheap imported beer at a table that used to be in the Himmel home. Room aside, the family recipes are really the main appeal of this self-described "European bistro." Pork shank gets crisped up in an oven, and champignon rahm schnitzel comes with a creamy mushroom sauce on top of chewy spätzle. If you want to diversify your mostly German meal, you can always get chewy Roman-style pizzas from their wood-fired grill while you wait for Himmel's resident band, The Tuesdays, to start a weekend set. But if you're looking for a casual dinner without a side of '70s and '80s covers, go on a weekday when it's usually easy to grab a table. Food Rundown Bavarian Pork Shank When you order this staple, a server—maybe one of the Himmel sisters—will tell you that it takes 50 minutes. But this extra crispy shank that easily comes off the bone is very much worth a wait. Pair each bite with the pretzel dumplings on the side. photo credit: Nick Allen Champignon Rahm Schnitzel This dish is hearty, heavy on cream, and an ideal comfort food. The pork is nicely cooked, even if you’ll be tasting the massive portion of mushroom sauce more than anything else. Pizza Boscaiola It’s a good pizza, especially for people who like their pie with a lot of cheese and a medium-thin crust. This shouldn’t be your top priority when going to Himmel’s, but it’s a great option." - Nick Allen
