Tucked away in a mostly residential neighborhood, Mirabell has brought a bit of Germany to the West Side since 1977. Two dining rooms flank the bar area and a small beer garden in the side yard is occasionally open for dining alfresco, providing proper environs to sample authentic food and beer. Waitresses in traditional costume pleasantly serve beef-centric entrees like sauerbraten, beef rouladen and beef tongue. Poultry, sausages and an impressive number of seafood dishes are also available, but the extensive schnitzelbank (carving bench) is where the real meat is. The kloster schnitzel, a ham-and-cheese-filled cutlet, is crispy where it counts but creamy in the center, while the paprika schnitzel adds a Hungarian flair to the traditional German dish.

No German restaurant is complete without a wide selection of German beers, and Mirabell features eight on draft, at least 20 German brews in bottles and a couple of Miller products for the unadventurous. Parking on many of the streets in this area is permit-only, but Mirabell customers can park in the Kmart lot across the street.

Centerstage Reviewer: Aimee Hall