This restaurant chain is a safe option when dining in Germany (Alex Brasserie (Bielefeld, Germany))

Member Name: andyLDN

Product:	Alex Brasserie (Bielefeld, Germany)
Date:	04/09/08 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good service, clean facilities, large portions, consistant high quality food

Disadvantages: Chainy, similar to places in the UK, can get crowded.

Although this is the Alex Brasserie in Bielefeld, there are infact 43 Alex's in 37 German cities.

'Alex' is a popular bistro / cafe / restaurant / bar chain in Germany. It is owned by the British group Mitchell & Butler who are known here for pub brands such as 'All Bar One', 'O'Neals' and 'Browns'. Alex is a comparable, having a chainy feel and a consistant quality. The menu is cafe style with food being mainly American / German with Salads, Burgers and Schnitzel and deserts of ice cream and Strudels.

The food is probably slightly more expensive than other independant restaurants with main courses being around Euro10-Euro15. Notable Alex's are the branches at the base of Television Tower and Sony Center in Berlin and the Alex overlooking the beautiful Alster lake in Hamburg.

As a tourist in Germany, I would suggest avoiding this restaurant where possible, it offering fairly unauthentic dishes in a similar environment to which we have here. It's a bit like going on holiday and eating in Pizza Hut. However, on such a trip there is always a time and a place for this kind of thing and often a 'risk free' option is what you're after. And with Menus in English and where I've been English speaking staff, it might fit your requirements.

One appropriate situation is the unfortunate hangover. One thing I really like about Alex is their 'Frühstücks-Buffet' (Breakfast Buffet), which is on 9-12pm weekdays, and goes on until 13.00 on Saturdays and 14.30 on Sundays and public holidays. Here you can help yourself to an array of food, from hot bacon, eggs and sausages, breads, cold meats, cheeses, cereals, yoghurt and fruit salad for a fixed price of Euro5.95 weekdays and Saturday and Euro9.85 for Sunday Brunch. If you like, you can also have a glass of sparkling wine for just a euro extra. So you can be as healthy or unhealthy as you like. The informal environment is great if you just want somewhere relax and eat a generously portioned meal to recover from the night before.

Most branches appear to be open until after midnight, but check on arrival. Also the outlets are very family and children friendly with highchairs and access for pushchairs etc. Also, I have noticed that the toilets are particularly modern and clean. The only downside is that it can get pretty busy at peak times, although service is always brisk and food of a high quality.

Summary: If you're out in town and not sure where to go, Alex is always a good option