First look: German beer garden, restaurant to open in downtown Wilmington

For months, paper has blocked the windows at 115 S. Front St. in downtown Wilmington as new owners transformed the space that was once the Mickey Ratz night club, Aubriana's fine dining restaurant and most recently Tails piano bar.

But the paper came off the windows on Tuesday, as Justin and Bekah Smith and partners Kyra Faina and Gil Johnson prepared to open the restaurant and beer garden to the public beginning on Thursday, Feb. 23.

"I've been waiting a year for this," Bekah Smith said.

Local diners may also be familiar with their other restaurants, including the Husk and Yosake. For this, they wanted to create another great place to eat and drink.

"It's our take on a German beer garden," Justin Smith said. "And one in Wilmington, North Carolina," Bekah Smith added.

Here's what to expect at Prost Biergarten:

More:Great expectations: 11 restaurants we're looking forward to opening in 2023

The setting

For years, Bekah Smith said she was fascinated by the space on Front Street that had both indoor and outdoor areas and a classic structure, with exposed brick, internal arches and a patio that may never have been used to its potential.

"This is what I've wanted to do for a long time here," she said.

The owners are taking the idea of a beer garden seriously by creating a light-and-bright space that feels like a historic courtyard no matter where you are sitting.

"I wanted to bring the inside out and the outside in," Bekah Smith said. Look for lots of plants, string lights, whimsical accents and eye-catching wallpaper.

The biergarten

The owners say they aren't trying to recreate a completely authentic German experience, but instead something unique. The beers on tap come from local brewers (and can come in 10, 16 and 20-ounce pours). Some of which are made in German styles.

Also look for a selection of beers by the bottle, some wines and cocktails such as the Apfel Bourbon (with apple brandy) and the blackberry infused The Hoff.

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. 

The food

Chef Erin Wiley developed a thoughtful, German-inspired menu with appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees that all contain different components meant to create a full flavor profile. Faina's favorite is the fish sandwich, with house-made Dijonnaise. Bekah Smith's early favorites are the beet salad and the schnitzel patty melt, a pork cutlet with caramelized onions and mushrooms. And Justin Smith said pretzels and sausages are his go-tos, and also include a Beyond Sausage vegan option.

The menu also contains nods to the owners' other restaurants, including a version of Yosake's firecracker shrimp with kraut slaw. And Dram and Morsel's beloved shrimp and grits brunch dish has been reimagined as shrimp and spaetzle. After opening for dinner service, Prost is expected to add lunch service in early March.

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Prost Biergarten restaurant opens in downtown Wilmington