Restaurant Review: Lincoln Square’s Himmel’s is a thin slice of heaven
“If a family turned their large dining room into a beer hall, it’d look something like Himmel’s.”
The Infatuation, 10/14/24
In this Oktoberfest season, in heart of Chicago’s most German-forward neighborhood, an establishment resides whose name means ‘Heaven’ in German.
Himmel’s in Lincoln Square is known for its surprising combinations of authentic German and Roman-style Italian dishes, including hand-crafted wood-oven pizza, as well as spaetzel and schnitzel.
Sisters Carol Himmel and Diana Himmel-Krewer took over the family-owned restaurant in Lincoln Square in 2013, and earned recognition as a Zagat ‘standout newcomer’ by 2014.
“We called ourselves an Italian restaurant with a German flair – and we of course have been the German flair,” say the sisters on their website. “Now, we’re settling into our own, creating new from scratch dishes with a personal touch.”
During this season, hearty German fare appears to be at the forefeont on the menu. Start with such German-forward appetizers as a Bayerische Platte, a daily selection of assorted sausage, cheese, potato salad, obatzda cheese spread, radish rose and small pretzels. Lachs Toast, smoked salmon on pretzel toast, with a hard boiled egg and caviar. Or, try Obatzda, a Bavarian cheese spread served with radishes and pretzel bread.
Lighter appetites will enjoy their Himmel’s Gemischter (mixed) Salad with romaine lettuce, mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, carrots, olives, extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. Or their Pear & Gorgonzola Salad, a sweet, savory and crunchy mix of spring mix greens tossed with pears, Gorgonzola cheese and walnuts in a balsamic vinaigrette.
Entrees are full of Himmel’s family traditions. Champignon Rahm Schnitzel is a succulent pan-fried pork tenderloin bathed in a shallot mushroom cream sauce, served with spätzle and red cabbage. Bavarian Pork Shank is prepared Munich-style (crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside) and served with pretzel dumplings, mushroom gravy, and cabbage salad. Wiener Schnitzel is a fusion of Italian-German cuisine, with a thinly fileted breaded veal scaloppine served with spätzle and Red Cabbage. Käsespätzle is Himmel’s own homemade spätzle, baked with swiss and gruyere cheeses, and topped with chives. It’s served with a Himmel’s salad. Other entrees include a Schwammerl Stew, pairing wild mushrooms in a cream sauce, with pretzel dumplings and fresh herbs, and a Bavarian Wurst Salat, which has thinly cut cold cuts served with a swill cheese house dressing.
Let’s Talk Pizza
Himmel’s wood-burning oven is the first of its kind in the city of Chicago. The oven, according to the website, is straight from Rome and has been making authentic pizzas and breads for more than 15 years. And the Himmel family is true to their word in delivering such unique Roman-style tastes as Quattro Stagioni Pizza, meant to represent the Four Seasons with prosciutto, mushroom, olive and artichoke. Pizza Patate & Rosmarino has mozzarella, thin sliced potato, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and fresh rosemary. Pizza Gustosa could be a great breakfast for someone with mozzarella, ham, asparagus, egg and Parmigiano cheese. Pizza Silvio & Gabriele pairs tomato sauce, mozzarella, arugula, prosciutto, sliced tomato and Parmigiano cheese.
A special children’s menu includes their Evan Special, a grilled chicken breast served with pan-fried potatoes, and The Micky, a schnitzel with mashed potatoes.
Other diners were equally enjoying of the German-Italian fare.
“My wife and I visited Himmel’s for the first time recently and really enjoyed the experience,” wrote a Google diner. “The food is great and the owners and our waitress Sarah were so kind and welcoming. The beer selection isn’t large, but honestly, sometimes we prefer that, especially with a good selection of authentic German beers and some others on tap. I can see a lot of people being regulars here. We will definitely be coming back when we’re in the area again.”
Himmel’s is located at 2251 W. Lawrence Avenue. They are open Wednesday and Thursday, 5pm-10pm, Friday from 12pm–3pm, and 5pm–11pm, Saturday from 12pm–11pm, and Sunday, 12pm–8pm. For reservations, Please call 773-784-8777, email info@himmelschicago.com, or text Diane Himmel at 847-878-2887 for reservations.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
