Oktoberfest at Obici House
Published 10:13 pm Thursday, October 8, 2015
Even though an Italian originally owned Obici House, German festivities will be taking place there on Oct. 16.
The restaurant and event venue has been under new management since January. Since then, Terry Tagg and business partner Sharon Day have been making strides to open the historic house back up to the public. In September, they began holding monthly dinners that are open to the general public. They would eventually like to hold Sunday brunches too, said Tagg.
For now, and in order to “celebrate our German heritage” and “share this wonderful mansion,” she said, the new management will be giving the community the opportunity to share their fondness of Oktoberfest.
Day has held an annual Oktoberfest party in her neighborhood over the years, Tagg said. However, this year, she didn’t have the time to pull it off. So, the business partners combined both work and fun, and will now be hosting their first one at Obici House.
“The festivities, good food, and different selections of beers” are what Tagg said she most looks forward to in the Oktoberfest celebration.
Certain beers are only available during this season, she said. Many of these she described as “heavier bodied” and “more well-rounded.”
“It’s a good way to welcome in fall,” Tagg said of the seasonal beers. Oktoberfest actually takes place in September in Germany, she said. It was originally started in order to honor the wedding of a German prince and princess, she added. She finds this somewhat appropriate, considering that Obici House is often used as wedding venue.
“It was a lifelong dream,” she said of her new job.” After having worked for a nonprofit organization, Tagg left to start this new business venture. Not only does she enjoy coordinating events at the historic building, but she also gets to enjoy all that comes with working in a beautiful house.
“I just love this building,” she said. “It has good vibes.” Being in it can quickly bring you from a bad mood to a good one, she said. Sometimes she and her coworkers stay late just to watch the view of the sun setting.
Obici House is a popular place for visitors, even when it’s not open for business.
Recently, a man visiting the area from Texas had been peering through the windows, hoping to see inside. He had learned about the house at the Suffolk Visitor Center, Tagg said. When she saw him, she asked, “Would you like to see what’s inside?” So she gave him a tour of the house. “And he’s not the first one,” Tagg said.
The Obici House chef, Renee Lamury, will be preparing a menu of all German dishes for the event, Tagg said. These foods will be made from scratch including German bratwurst cooked in lager beer, Jägerschnitzel with mushroom gravy over egg noodle, red cabbage with tart apples and sweet onions, German potato salad and various types of bread. For dessert, guests will enjoy Black Forest trifle, Tagg said.
German beers and German wines will also be served throughout the evening, while German music is played throughout the house to set the mood.
The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. and guests are encouraged, but not required, to wear traditional German attire, Tagg said. The staff will be doing so. Tickets cost $19.95 per person at the door.