Zur-Kate

10/30/09

Unfortunate Evening

by jdavid17 at Citysearch

We went to Zur-Kate on October 30th, so they were using a special Octoberfest menu, not the one they advertise on the internet. The choices included sausage plates, schnitzel plates, and one Cornish Hen plate. Side dishes included German potato salad, sauerkraut, Red Cabbage, potato dumpling, and German bread.

Seating was prompt, but tight because of the table layout. Service was pretty much unacceptable. Although there were four wait staff, they seemed to spend most of their time behind the bar, doing little but watch the diners. Our waitress was extremely slow, and we had to wave at other wait staff for almost everything.

We ordered two Sauerbraten, one 'special' (Schnitzel covered with ham and cheese) and one plain schnitzel. The schnitzel was very good, and the saurbraten was acceptable, but the side dishes were poor. The sauerkraut and red cabbage were watery and cold by the time we got the meals. The german potato salad was the worst I have ever had: it was watery and had very little flavor. The potato dumpling had absolutely no flavor: I know these are supposed to be neutral in flavor, but this was totally flavorless. What it lacked in flavor it made up for in size, as it was easily 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

The bread was good: possibly the best part of the meal, and prices were very reasonable ($10 per plate).

Unfortunately, the service was terrible. It took ten minutes for our drinks to arrive. Perhaps the fact we ordered soda and not beer confused the staff. It took over 40 minutes for the meal to arrive, and the order was wrong, which added another five minutes.

Our entire party of four felt the service was completely unacceptable, partially because there were four wait staff obvious at all times. Most spent virtually all of their time behind the bar, and at first we thought they needed three bartenders, because there were seldom fewer than three of them resting behind the bar.

We got the impression that regulars got superior service, as our waitress seemed obsessed with several other tables, treating us as an afterthought.

We won't become regulars, and I don't see any reason to return: Bavarian Point is only three hundred feet feet away in the same strip center.

• Pros: Nice Atmosphere
• Cons: Slow service, wrong order, poor quality food

06/12/08

Real German

by pesach at Citysearch

OK if you have been to other German places like Bavarian point, and liked the food, but wondered what it would be like to eat in a mom and pop German place this is it. I mean the other places are fancier give bigger portion and have more of a presentation. This is a neighborhood family place that could be anywhere in German. They are not very expensive and their portions are for normal sized appetites. Lunch is pretty good too. Make sure you call to see if they are open before you go. They have a little salad bar that has homemade goodies in it like potato salad etc. If you bring your kids and they make a little noise, some stuffed shirt wont ask you to take the little menace outside. (Well unless he maybe starts breaking plates) Overall not a dining masterpiece, but a down-home gem. Again don't go here if you are a picky person that can't be pleased by anything but fast food made fresh last week. This is the real deal, oh and they have all the German Libations too! BTW to that guy that said they didn't have enough types of beer. In Germany, you pick a brewery. Normally from your hometown. You put their flag outside your place, hang posters, were their shirts, and your kid has a soccer team sponsored by them. Anheuser Busch makes wine where my family comes from, and Budweiser has a second name Budwar! Ciao

• Pros: Price and home atmosphere
• Cons: Selection could be a little better for non-pork items

11/10/07

An excellent Kneipe!

by jfz001 at Citysearch

I have eaten here many times and always had great service and good. The place is a little small, but it reminds me of the kneipen I visited while in Germany. I would definitely recommend it.

• Pros: Great Food
• Cons: A little small, but bearable