Gone are the days of German cuisine as a target of “wurst”-related jokes. In 2013, Deutschland scored more restaurants in the Michelin Guide than any country outside of France. So when Vie veterans Nathan Sears and Adam Hebert spent a year preparing their Bavarian restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago waited. And salivated.

The boys rewarded everyone’s patience in December, when they unveiled an artsy, fun beer hall with massive grandfather clocks, overflowing steins of Ayinger Bräu-Weisse, and glorious pretzels brushed with barley malt butter and served with blackberry jam. Wonderful housemade sausages come with Logan Square–y companions (think boarwurst with onion and raisin relish and charred frisée), and the kitchen’s skill with nuanced snacks (confit Brussels sprouts with gingersnaps and candied ginger) keeps the Radler from wandering in the same old forest.

Perfect for: People in need of a hangout where Bier flows freely