Oak Chalet, one of only a handful of authentic German restaurants that remain in the New York area, is set to close just after the New Year, after more than 40 years in business in Bellmore.
Owner Gisela Wedel, 84, told Greater Long Island the decision to close was a difficult one, but following her husband Dieter Reinking’s death in February, keeping the restaurant going has been an arduous task.
“My husband did much of the day-to-day management of the restaurant. He just told me, before he died, that it’s too much and that I can’t do it anymore,” she said. “It’s a very difficult time.”
Specializing in the southern German cuisine of Bavaria since 1981, the family-owned and operated Oak Chalet has served up such old world specialties as Wiener schnitzels, jaeger schnitzel, sauerbraten and bratwurst, as well as an array of homemade breads and pastries, including their fan-favorite apple strudel.
Their full bar includes tap German beers and select wines.
Only limited reservations are still available before the venue’s closing Jan. 4. The restaurant is located at 1940 Bellmore Ave.
A family effort
Wedel said she has much of her family working with her daily at the restaurant.
“I’m 84 and many of my children are in their 60s. There’s a time when you have to close,” she said.
She added that the family has people “interested” in possibly buying the restaurant but no firm offers as yet.
“I am hoping that somebody will keep the restaurant (a German restaurant), but I don’t know if that will happen,” she said. “If you think about it, there are hardly any German restaurants left throughout the region — maybe only about five remain. We’re dying out, let’s put it this way.”
Oak Chalet is not the first German restaurant Wedel owned. The family also owned and operated Sunrise Village on Sunrise Highway and Bellmore Road. It closed in 1979.
Wedel recalled: “It was a large place, seating nearly 600 people. It had music and was kind of like a nightclub.”
Another popular German restaurant in Queens, Zum Stammtisch, is owned by Wedel’s cousins, the Lehners.
Susan Layton, Wedel’s daughter, has worked at Oak Chalet for 44 years.
“Since day one,” she said, adding that when the restaurant closes, some of the family will retire and others will look for other work.
“The closing came on kind of quickly, so we don’t have a Plan B yet,” Layton said. “We’d love to stick together” if we can, but if not, we had a good run.”
Layton’s son Eric cooks while her daughter Michelle is a hostess. She stressed that there is a very tight-knit family feeling at the restaurant, along with many long-time customers.
“My mom is ready to retire,” she said, pointing out that it “takes a village” to run a restaurant like Oak Chalet.
“My mom Gigi deserves all the praise and limelight, she’s the best, she really is!”
In the meantime, Layton, who is also an actress, may have more time to devote to her craft.
She can be seen in two soon-to-be released movies: “Song Sung Blue” with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, in theatres Dec. 25 and “American Love Story,” about JFK Jr., to be released Feb. 14.
There is the possibility, Layton said, that some of the other family members could open another, smaller restaurant to continue the German heritage and family legacy, but are no concrete plans as yet.
Reflecting on her dad’s passing, Layton said Dieter was “irreplaceable” and did the work of 15 people from plumber to electrician.
“He made many of the tables and chairs in the restaurant,” she said, proudly.
“My mom and my dad are the heroes,” Layton said. “I’m grateful for their hard work and amazing examples of leadership.”
Top: Alan Krawitz photo for GLI.
