Bayrischer Hof New German Cuisine

ADDRESS: 12535 W. Bell Road, Surprise, across from the Windmill Suites.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-583-1203.

HOURS: Dining room is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and the bar is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

OWNER: Eitel Weidner.

CUISINE: Authentic Bavarian, pasta, soups, sandwiches, burgers.

SEATS: More than 100 in two separate dining areas.

OPEN SINCE: Mid-March.

WEB SITE: www.bayrischerhof.biz

SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE: Jagerschnitzel, topped with mushroom gravy and served with fries and mixed salad; pork hock with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.

POPULAR APPETIZER: Variety of soups, including spicy Hungarian goulash, and salads; appetizer sampler (choose from chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, jalepeno poppers, onion rings, fried mushrooms and zucchini circles).

POPULAR LUNCH ENTRÉE: Winzerbraten - vintage roast pork roast served with potato dumplings and sauerkraut, along with the chef's wine gravy.

POPULAR DINNER ENTRÉE: Winzerbraten; black forest tortellini with ham in a cream cheese sauce, served with mixed salad.

POPULAR DESSERT: Homemade apfelstrudel with vanilla ice cream; black forest cake.

AVAILABLE FOR: Dine in, take out, large parties, private parties (reservations recommended for four or more).

PRICE RANGE: $8-$15.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW: A full bar is available, offering domestic and German beer selections. Lunch specials are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, there is a three-course special for $11.90. Potato Pancake Tuesdays run from 4 to 9 p.m. Live music is provided by local musicians Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Patrons may choose to dine in the area with a dance floor and music, or without.

UNIQUE TIDBITS: Weidner formerly owned two large German restaurants in Minnesota before relocating to Surprise, bringing his head chef along with him. Bayrischer Hof, which Weidner said translates to "Bavarian restaurant," serves new German cuisine, which is lighter and prepared using fresh techniques in German cooking. The chef cooks with wine in many of his dishes, Weidner said. "Everyone is able to find something they like," Weidner said.

FUTURE PLANS: Weidner said he plans to have the patio open in the fall and plans to keep adding authentic German decorations around the restaurant. In addition, he said beer steins are on their way from Germany, and he hopes to bring musicians from Germany to perform at the restaurant. "I want it to be a place of enjoyment, a place for good food, to relax and have fun," he said.

Do you know of a great West Valley restaurant you'd like to see in our Dining Out feature? Let us know! Call Brittany Woodruff at 623-876-2527 or e-mail bwoodruff@yourwestvalley.com.