Landhaus am Staadt

This is a good place to spend some quality time in nature by the water (Ruhr) during the week NOT in the weekends. Food ok, prices acceptable, service meh... there's some room for improvement.

I will provide you the translation of Mifra's post, as this is a very nice one:


2007, May:
Searching for a nice location for celebrating our wedding we found the restaurant Country House at the Staadt (=Landhaus am Staadt) on the internet. It is located in Essen-Werden and after we had read the uncommon compositions on the menu we decided to give it a try in advance - what is always kind of tricky as I am allergic to some food. We called them up and asked, whether it was possible to take my allergy into consideration. Fortunately they said yes.
We therefore made a reservation for a table in the non-smoking area and startet searching for the way to get there - what lead us into a blind alley that started as a dirt road (we already asked ourselves, if we took the right road), but finally lead to the Landhaus. It is very much like an Irish Pub with a slight note of elegance.
The location
The Country House looks nice, interesting and inviting already from the outside. You have to walk through a smaller part of the beer garden (that is a real nice garden in fact) located next to the river Ruhr, before you can enter. To the right there is the non-smoking area and to the left is the smoking area (see attached pictures). [I guess it is completely non-smoking by now, as the German government released a new law in 2008] These areas are separated by the large bar area, but not by a door. The room itself is not very large, but is very inviting due to the rustic elements - we felt great from the first second on. There are no table-cloths, but the tables are decorated very nicely with flowers and cutlery.
Nearby is the S-rail station Werden, so you could walk up there if you really wanted to - I would highly suggest to go there by car (parking lot is there).
The service
We were lead to our table with a good shot of dry humor (not too much!), I told the waiter about my allergy and he reconfirmed with the chef, which meals were safe for me to eat or could be altered. Big surprise: I was allowed to eat nearly everything! As we wanted to check the restaurant out, we had a appetizer, main dish and dessert. Some meals are really unique, but sound nice to try - and what should I say: They were served fast, were outstanding and we were thrilled. Prices are slightly high (just a little bit! Most expensive main dish is about 19EUR), but you receive a good portion that tastes great and makes you want more (if you were not that saturated afterwards ;) ).
2007, June:
Of course we reserved the room for our wedding, that was celebrated only with the inner circle of the family. Nevertheless we were provided with a couple of flowers and a vase for my bridal flowers (without the necessity to ask for it), although we were a smaller group. Service was kind, proactive and pleasant - including suggestions for wine.
Conclusion
Another word concerning the ambience: It is sooooo homely, in the red room is a piano, the beer garden is just outside - just imagine a great summer evening to sit there me want that
If you want to celebrate with a larger group there, you can ask for a picnic in the garden (starting with 60 persons) or you choose the brunch. If we had celebrated our wedding in Essen, we sure had chosen the Clubscheune (=Club Barn) (see HP), as this had been our thing completely.
I think we will check out the beer garden in the near future, I will get back to you then!
All in all, for this insider tip in Essen I hand out all stars, which can be handed out: Perfect service, great food for adequate prices and a great ambience - what else do you want?