Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > October > 01 > Entry
Cafe Boulevard to morph into German restaurant
Cafe Boulevard, 329 E Fifth St. in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District, will change its concept and name to become Boulevard Haus, a “modern, casual German restaurant and bar,” according to an email news release from Cafe Boulevard owner Eva Brcic-Christian.
Brcic-Christian, who grew up in Germany, said there is no German restaurant in Dayton, and said she wanted to “bring something to Dayton that Dayton doesn’t already have.” German cuisine has many facets and is not as heavy as many diners think, the restaurant owner said. The restaurant “will be closing for a few days for remodeling and will open with our new concept and as the Boulevard Haus before the holidays,” she said.
Cafe Boulevard filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy in April and is continuing to operate while the restaurant seeks to restructure its debts.
Here is an excerpt from the email from Brcic-Christian:
It will not be your traditional German restaurant in the vein of Oktoberfest, Hofbrauhaus or Heidelberg and Munich, serving just bratwurst, potato salad and sauerkraut. German food can offer so much more than that. It can be a lighter fare rather than just the traditional kind.
BOULEVARD HAUS will be casual enough to order a Currywurst with French Fries (a very popular fast food in Germany originating in Berlin) or cabbage rolls, sausages, meat loaf and different Schnitzels.
BOULEVARD HAUS will also offer the other side of Germany, less heavy fare, going beyond comfort food. We will offer many vegetarian options, seafood, chicken, beef and of course our best seller the “Wiener Schnitzel”. We will complement the menu with German wines and beer. We will also keep our popular Martinis. We hope to continue to be known for infusing our own vodkas, and a great Happy Hour with a very inexpensive and fun Bar List.
When you walk into the BOULEVARD HAUS, it will definitely remind you of Germany, but again, it will not look like the old traditional restaurant. When Germans thinks of American dining, they often think of all the millions of hamburgers, that all restaurants look like McDonalds or an Applebees. Just as we know this is not correct, Germans don’t eat Sauerkraut everyday. No, the times have changed. German cuisine has moved towards lighter cooking, and BOULEVARD HAUS will be serving a blend of the traditional and the modern with some American influences reflecting my 12 years in the States.
The Wiener Schnitzel actually originally gave me the idea to change the concept, and since I grew up in Germany it seemed like a no-brainer. Like me, there are many people in this area with German roots or who have traveled to, or been stationed in Germany at some point.
And most important of all … there is no German Restaurant in Dayton! BOULEVARD HAUS will be the only GERMAN RESTAURANT in the city. With this restructuring of the restaurant I want to bring something to Dayton that Dayton doesn’t already have.
We will be closing for a few days for remodeling and will open with our new concept and as the BOULEVARD HAUS before the holidays. I will let you know exactly but it will be around the last week of November.
The restaurant will be open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner Monday through Saturday.
Permalink | Comments (36) | Post your comment | Categories: Local restaurant news
Tweet
Comments
By Thetruthteller
December 9, 2009 2:26 AM | Link to this
@Oregonian, the parking lot that is shared between Blvd Haus and Wiley’s is just that - shared and FREE!!! I know for a fact that Eva pays to share that parking lot so the customers that dine at the restaurant can park for free. Get your facts right before you spread lies.
By Ken Gunton
December 6, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
Four of us decided to try the new Boulevard Haus, and we are all in agreement that the owner has a long way to go. The menus featured a black font on a dark brown background, and were extremely difficult to read. One of our group had to borrow a flashlight to read it! The service was very slow, with no explanations. I ordered the sausage sampler. The spaetzle was cold! The currywurst was nothing close to what I enjoyed in Germany. The red cabbage was overcooked and mushy. The bratwurst was tasty and perfectly cooked. The other three in our group voiced similar complaints. The cabbage roll stuffing was very good, but the outer cabbage leaves were hard and inedible. We won’t go back! It’s too bad, because I think that the idea of a German restaurant in Dayton is valid.
By Margaret
December 4, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
Worst food in Dayton, even with the new concept. The wait is still horrific. We waited nearly 1 and a half hours for some veggie rolls and a brat sandwich. Combined, those shouldn’t have taken more than 10 minutes. We felt bad for the server, she was awesome, and kept apologizing for the long wait. I will never go back.
By Mookie
October 26, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this
The Seafood Galates were the only food on the menu that I would order. I like German food but not to start a night of fun off with. This was a trendy place I would take friends from out of town for martini’s to start the night off, now I must find someplace else. Sorry Eva, for us but a German Restaurant is not a place to start a night out. I guess we will start going to the Melting Pot or JAG’s. Keep trying though, I’m sure you will get the mix right. I will stop by for a martini (that is if you’re going to keep the same bartender). Good luck.
By Kevin Fry
October 17, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
I recently just tried Cafe Boulevard and thought that the food was really good. I even ordered a cheesburger one night for takeaway and it was amazing. I will definitely give this new concept a chance. I am very enthusiastic to try the new concept! Keep up the good work Eva.
By Anemployee
October 3, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
I have left a previous positive comment, but it disappeared, weird? I think it is a wonderful idea, I worked at both restaurants Eva owns, she is a wonderful person, that’s why she has so many employees how have worked for her for many years, some of the previous comments seem like they come from disgruntled old employees who are hateful, and they are probably loosers. I go to both restaurants a lot and love it, the food, the service and the value, I loved working for Eva, she is a very fair person and doesn’t treat anyone badly. I think it will be great, I love German food, I will be there!
By Wordell
October 2, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this
My Dad, an authentic German, (SS Tank corp commander) would take us to a German restaurant in Cincinatti (sp) and feed us authentic german gastronomical fare. Even ex- Nazi’s like good food. Hope the restaurant succeeds. Oh…Dad is dead, probably bowling with Satan at this moment. Anyway, we’ll try the food and see what happens. Does having a Father who was an SS Tank Commander in WW 2 qualify me as a person who has experienced “diversity”? You “PC” people out there will have on comment on this.
By Kate
October 2, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
I hope she treats her chef well. She has done a great job under Cafe Blvd, hopefully the German cuisine will be successful.
By Oregonian
October 2, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, the parking. Eva is known for pulling the “No parking” signs down that Clear Channel (the owner of the parking lot she tried to commandeer) puts up. She has a healthy sense of entitelement, that’s for sure. Viva Saffron! hahaha
By foodie8956
October 2, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I think Eva is a very smart business woman and was terribly affected by the bad economy, but she has great ideas and I think this will work! what a great comeback, she is not just sitting around waiting for the economy to recover, she is making it happen, that’s what smart people do! and I am pretty sure that she is Croatian but lived most of her life in Germany, I know she speaks quite a few languages. This will be great for Dayton1 thank you Eva!
By Washington Township
October 2, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Wow the hostility and negativity toward Cafe Boulevard and its owner continues. Good example of what a bunch of sickos live in Dayton. It’s been awhile, but I’ve never had problems with this restaurant or its food or service. Cafe Boulevard used to have at least one German item on the menu, including a very good schnitzl with caper sauce.
By sue
October 2, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
We tried Boulevard twice, with reservations we still had a horrific wait. When we fianlly tried to order what we wanted, we had to settle for something else because they were out of everything.I mean why do you take reservations anyway! We will never go back…no matter what the quisine!
By Chef-tel
October 2, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
I thought she filed bankruptcy for this establishment. Another example of the current administration bailing out another business that provides an inferior product.
By cat
October 2, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
I spent a couple weeks in Germany 2 years ago and was looking forward to getting some good German food. Boy was I disappointed, turns out I had some huge misconceptions. Sauerkraut was bland and tasteless. It takes hours to have a meal, long waits between courses. Begging for ice in my beverages, then getting 1 cube. You have to be careful about ordering water to drink. Be sure to specify “no gas”. I had some really good potato salad, it was not what we call “German potato salad”. The beer and wine was great, and no, it wasn’t warm.
By Potter
October 2, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
And Eva’s shell game continues……..oh the excitement….who’s gunna get screwed this time?
By OD patron
October 2, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
I ate at Cafe Blvd once and found it crazy over priced. I also know that the owner runs these businesses into the ground… In fact, few restaurant owners grasp what it takes to bring in diners in the district… they get rid of thier Chefs who actually know how to run a kitchen and offer food that will brink people back. This will be another lost business in the OD.
By Dayton Diner
October 2, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
Grew up in Germany? Before it was Croatia. Maybe her next restaurant will be Italian?
By UrbanDweller
October 2, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
I’d still rather drive the hour to Columbus and eat at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in the German Village. Too bad we can’t get one of those here…
By Emily
October 2, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
@Boomer: Then please tell all of your suburban friends that there is a well-lit, newly-paved, large and /free/ parking lot directly across the street from Cafe Boulevard. Seriously, the OD is the most easily accessible commercial district in the city.
By Pat
October 2, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
She says there isn’t a German restaurant in Dayton…what would you call the Amber Rose? She’s in debt up to her eyeballs…good luck…
By Mike
October 2, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Hmmm. I wonder if she’ll pay her bills at this restaurant, or just stiff everyone and go bankrupt like she did at her Dayton Mall site and Cafe Boulevard.
By MichaelNDayton
October 2, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
As President of the Oregon District Business Association, I congratulate Eva on changing and growing her wonderful restaurant and tavern. I cannot tell you how often I hear folks say, “Do you remember Grammar’s German Village restaurant when it was in Oregon?”. As Dayton’s growing entertainment and dining hub in an authentic historic setting in Dayton’s oldest neighborhood, Oregon now is home to a world of food, drink, music, art, shopping, lodging and fun. Join us for American bistro food, Thai, Irish, Italian, Chinese, Pizza, Sandwiches, Smoked bar-b-que, Tavern specialties and German cuisine!
By Wunderbar
October 2, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
Sounds good… and a smart business move. I’ll be there. And thanks to previous posters for reminding me about the Amber Rose; still haven’t tried it but I’ve been meaning to.
By ron
October 2, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this
sounds like a good idea, and should add to the increasingly interesting atmosphere and offerings in the Oregon District… formerbuckeye, we’d happily let you move back… we still like it here…
By formerbuckeye
October 2, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
Great timing - been wanting real German food in the Dayton area for YEARS and I just moved to Texas!!
By Realist
October 2, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this
French, German, Brazilian, fast-food, or whatever - it is still run by Eva, and that is reason enough for plenty of people not to eat there.
By Vernugen
October 2, 2009 7:52 AM | Link to this
Endlich, wir haben etwas gut zu essen auf Dayton, Aber bitte, keine “St. Paulie’s Girl” bier - das ist pisswasser!
By mjm
October 2, 2009 7:17 AM | Link to this
Granted Amber Rose is very good and it is not true German. It is mostly Hungarian, Eastern European. Looking forward to the change.
By Boomer
October 2, 2009 7:03 AM | Link to this
‘sabout time we get an authentic German restaurant (although, Amber Rose is very good, but not “German” per se). However, given the perceived hassle to us suburbanites as to parking (I know, I know…but, I said “perceived”), they’d better re-examine their pricing strateegery - Cafe Blvd was way overpriced for the type of stuff on the menu. Best of luck.
By Jess
October 2, 2009 6:51 AM | Link to this
Hey Joaniesgarden, She did not claim there were no other restaurants that offer German food, she said there are no other German restaurants. You know, JUST German, not Irish, Italian, etc. Good plug though.
By Sheryl Cowers
October 2, 2009 6:33 AM | Link to this
Hmm, venison rouladen. We can only dream. It’s been a long time since Frisco Freddie’s tried to pass itself off as authentic German.
By Festoon Fussnucker
October 2, 2009 6:29 AM | Link to this
Rinderroulade is another name for Rouladen and I hope they have it…pickles wrapped in beef although venison is even better….yum!
By Joaniesgarden
October 2, 2009 5:16 AM | Link to this
You may claim no one else offers German food but the Amber Rose on Valley Street have great cabbage rolls. They are an Eastern European restaurant specializing in homemade German, Polish, Hungarian, Russian and Italian cuisines. Their bar offers an exemplary selection of wines and European beers.
By RestaurantZoom
October 2, 2009 4:07 AM | Link to this
Best wishes to everyone involved here. Such is what life consists of…one door closes and a new one opens:-)
By Linda
October 1, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this
I’m with you Paul. Rouladen is the best. My Dad was stationed in Germany, where he married my mom and then moved to the states. My mother makes Rouladen mostly on special occasions, but makes it the best.
By Paul
October 1, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
I hope they’ll offer Rouladen. It’s one of my favorite German foods from when my family was stationed there as a kid.