Yes :-) Stefan's review (Aug 26th 2006)

The location sits near where Ruby and Division merge. I personally don’t see a lot of allure in that location. Outside of a few taco trucks, Division Street is not known for quality restaurants.

Maaskeller’s Ale House has been offering lots of bar specials (as you can see above). As far as the restaurant goes, it doesn’t delve as deep into German food as I would like. They have four German options and eight Mediterranean options. I had the Jager Schnitzel. The Schnitzel was cooked to perfection and “German” potato salad was satisfying.

Maaskeller’s has amazing service that is definitely on par with Europa.

So what’s the dish?: If you are stuck in that awful Division traffic turn off and enjoy a drink* and maybe some food at Maaskeller’s Ale House.

No :-( Maja's review (Aug 26th 2006)

I went to Maaskeller’s about a week ago, in search of something new and good. Heading downtown, we drove past the former Garden Grill, but decided to turn back and give it a try. We should have kept driving.

The location is awkward. I was tempted to ask for outdoor seating, but for what? A view of the Jack-in-the-Box and the eighty four thousand Chinese restaurants and dive bars that pave the congested route to downtown?

The service was goofy and nervous-making. It looks a lot like the old Garden Grill inside, but the service feels “new.” It was a hot day and I was thirsty, but I always consider it a bad sign when I can finish all the water AND ice before I can find someone to get me a refill. Water should be an automatic, and I kept having to request more. I’ve driven by and seen drink specials advertised on the readerboard, but that evening I was waffling over wine and drink-drinks. By the time we were almost finsihed with our meal, I overheard another server describing the drink specials to his table. I wish I’d been informed of those options!

I ordered a spinach and ahi salad, and my sister ordered the pesto ravioli. The menu said the salad came with rice noodles. I’m gluten intolerant, so I figured it was a good bet. When the salad came, I took a bite and a closer look at the noodles, which looked suspiciously like chow mein. I quit eating and waited for our server to return, and when she did, I explained my allergy and concern. She went back to the kitchen and returned to confirm that yes, those were chow mein noodles, and said they were making up a new salad bed but I could keep the tuna. The fish was done right, nice and pink inside with black and white sesame outside, but the salad itself was pretty boring. My sister said the ravioli was good, to be expected from a Europa cousin. But I didn’t think either meal was worth the price tag.

I won’t be back anytime soon… Not for a meal, anyway. I’d be willing to give the drinks a try, as long as I can track down some water and the specials.