In a city dominated by Italian and Chinese restaurants, it’s easy for diners to get stuck in a food-rut. To avoid that rut and try something new, take a drive to Danzer’s German & American Restaurant.

Its golden sign and green building helps Danzer’s stand out in a sea of gray warehouses and grayer skies. When diners walk through the white doors, their senses are attacked. Loud laughs and conversations ring through the restaurant. Colorful Oktoberfest posters and beer signs line the forest green walls. The smells of spices and frying oils linger in the air. Everything about the restaurant welcomes customers, including the sociable hostess.

As she guided us to our table, we passed the bar, located at the center of the restaurant. The shelves of beer steins and dozens of beer taps were impressive and had me wishing it weren’t a school night. Given the amount of beer paraphernalia, one can assume his or her tap options are top notch.

As we scanned the appetizer section of the Danzer’s menu, we struggled to select our starter. Every item made my mouth water. After much deliberation, we settled on the homemade hot German potato salad ($4.25). When the dish arrived, steam carried the salty scent to our noses. The perfectly cooked potatoes were accompanied with bacon bits and a cream-based sauce. As I took my first bite, I experienced my first potato-related foodgasm. The bacon provided a natural salt flavor, making the saltshaker unnecessary. The cream sauce had an underlying tartness, possibly from some acidic element, which added a unique taste to the dish. Despite the combination of cream and starch, the potato salad was surprisingly light. If it weren’t for the rest of the meal, I would have ordered seconds and possibly thirds.

For one entrée, we ordered the beef roulade ($16.95), choice top round filled with an onion and bacon stuffing and braised in a burgundy sauce. Once again, the saltshaker was pushed aside because the bacon provided the perfect amount of salt. The wine-based sauce added some sweetness and a tiny tang to the dish. The tender onions and meat made the dish more flavorful and easy to consume. Served with red cabbage and butter noodles, the beef roulade hit all the right gastronomical notes.

The second entrée only kept the foodgasm going. For a new experience, we ordered jager schnitzel ($15.95), a thin leg of veal sautéed with mushrooms and parsley in a wine-laced cream sauce. Although I’ve never had veal before, I could tell this piece was properly prepared. It was tender enough to cut and eat with ease — something not all chefs accomplish when cooking meat. Once again, the cream sauce did not leave me feeling full to the point of nausea. It kept its velvet-like texture while remaining light. The aftertaste of sweet, red wine was a pleasant surprise. The sides of honey-glazed carrots, peas and rice made for a well-balanced dish.

Surprisingly, we still had room for dessert and decided to order a traditional apple strudel ($5.75). The golden brown crust crunched and crumbled as I sliced it with my fork, a good sign of a well-made pastry. The tender, tart apples combined with the plump, sweet raisins for the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The homemade whipped cream and cinnamon ice cream only added to the sweet comfort of this delicious dessert. As I took my last bite, I completed my second foodgasm of the night.

The fun, friendly atmosphere and the fantastic food make dining at this hidden gem a true pleasure. If you’ve never tried German food, Danzer’s is the perfect place to pop that gastronomical cherry. It’s sure to be a memorable experience.

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Published on April 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm