German Outside Dinning

Today, I ventured to find a new place to eat with outdoor dining. I found an area that spans the river in Bremen with numerous dining restaurants, all with outdoor seating facing the river. I had no idea about choosing a table, so I asked in the best way possible, with my small knowledge of German, and the waiter told me he spoke some English. Man, was that a relief. He told me to have a seat at any table that I would like. Evidently, German eating establishments allow you to take a seat at any open spot. Interestingly, if the dining venue is full, you may find a stranger asking if they can share the table with you. German people are likely to sit with people they do not know, especially at long outdoor tables. (Conversation with a table partner is optional.) If the restaurant has a sign posted for you to wait to be seated, you should realize it may be a more costly dining experience. There were numerous items on the menu that I was not sure of so I chose an entree that looked more like an American-German food. When the waiter came to our table and took my order, it was no different than a normal experience in the States. The food was brought by a kitchen person or another waiter, just like in the States, also. The diner plate was full of eight short sausages, a heaping pile of mashed potatoes with some brown gravy and a nice serving of sauerkraut. The food did not disappoint. I also ordered a pilsner from the brewery that the restaurant was featuring. The beer is about the same price as a bottle of water. After my plate was cleaned, I signaled for the check and the waiter brought his credit card machine to the table, I paid, and we left with another couple standing guard waiting to grab the seats as soon as we stood up.