Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

Reviews 4

HI

Hibbs Family

Good food, truly wonderful beer, ale and stout, prompt service. This is a converted power station just as named, with interior brick walls, exposed beams, and power station paraphrenalia in use as decoration on the walls. Sound protection is limited, and even though the place was half full it was noisy -- not a good spot for a quiet conversation or discussion. The brewery is inside the building and if you ask you may be able to get a tour (I got one, and I really got a kick out of it). The tables were occupied by both genders (no kids, it was about 8pm on a school night) and the bar was a crowd of men only. I was seated and served promptly in the dining section. I had fried artichoke hearts (overbattered and too salty for my taste, but more or less what I would expect from a bar menu). I ordered dinner off the Oktoberfest special menu and had roulades, thinly sliced beef wrapped around a filling (in this case bread crumbs and mild pickles) and served with a heavy wine-based sauce; I thought these were pretty ambitious for a bar menu and they turned out well. They were served with homemade sauerkraut thickly adorned with caraway, and homemade spaetzele. Both side dishes were really excellent (though I realize my fondness for sauerkraut is not universally shared). Another excellent dish was a huge creme brulee for dessert, perfectly glazed and perfectly creamy and delicious underneath, about twice the size of a typical serving. But the crown jewels of the place are its fermented beverages, and these were just extraordinary. You can order any individually (as well as growlers to go) but they also make allowances for indecisive persons like myself. For $6 you get a "sampler" or flight of five. I had the seasonal winter ale (a heavy, warmly flavored lager with 8% alcohol), an India Pale Ale, a scottish ale, an oatmeal stout and (if I remember correctly) an amber ale. All were wonderful, but the scottish ale and the stout were my favorites. My favorites, I should say, of the menu. My very obliging waiter favored me with tastes of the brewerys barley wine and its Imperial Stout, which were not on sale that evening but represent the very pinnacle of brewing; if there is a richer brew than their imperial stout I doubt that I will taste it this side of heaven. Benjamin Franklin is said to have declared that beer was proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, and whether he said that or not,when you drink this I think you will find it easy to believe. Altogether a very satisfying evening, which cost about $40 including the appetizer, entree, side dishes, beverages and dessert. Although nominally open til 9 they stopped seating after 8:30 on the first weeknight I was there.

MA

Mark Walker

I have eaten at the Powerhouse a couple of times and absolutely loved it, so when my mother came to town it was an obvious choice to bring her here. What a mistake that was. My wife, mother, daughter, and I arrived at the restaurant as the lunch rush was ending and we were seated in under 10 minutes. The waiter took our drink orders and I ordered and appetizer (breasts of fire, which is usually top notch). I should have been wary at this point because he was one of those waiters that doesnt write anything down, which is fine if you can actually do it. The waiter brought our drinks and then the waiting game began. The waiter checked in on us after about 5 minutes which is when we placed our food orders and then he basically abandoned us. After about 25 minutes without any attention he finally comes back and tells us our food should be out shortly. I ask about our appetizer and all I receive is a blank stare. He says he will go check with the kitchen to see if it is done and I stop him, because it is obvious he forgot, and tell him if he didnt put it in to not even worry about it because we were tired of waiting. He admits he didnt put it in (thanks for lying to me) and apologizes and says he will take 10% off our bill. Now if this had been the only thing I wouldnt be writing the review, but it gets worse. The waiter brings out our food and I had ordered the ribs that are advertised as coming with beans and a jalapeno corn muffin. The ribs come out and no muffin. I immediately ask him about this and he says they dont include it anymore as they recently changed owners and chefs. What the hell? It says right on your menu what is supposed to come with the meal. If you are going to change your menu you actually have to CHANGE THE MENUS! The waiter says he will go to the kitchen and see if he can get me some sort of substitute for the missing muffin and then he turns around and promptly forgets about us again and never returns until he is bringing the check. We ask for some take out boxes so we can just leave and he also forgets about those. I would have brought all of this to the attention of the management, but I am pretty sure our waiter was the manager. This was without a doubt one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had.

BL

Blake Reichert

Honestly, I am disappointed to write this. Our first time in was wonderful, however after this service we will not be back. The server was mediocre at her job. She needed help from three others. Restaurant was not busy. Beers were lukewarm. Appetizers took too long. They ran out of root beer after first glass, and charged root beer price for coke refills. Fries were soggy. My powerhouse burger started with a hair in it. I didnt mind. Party was a charcoal puck; ordered medium rare, it was obviously resting too long in anticipation of filling rest of the order. Bun became soggy from resting too long. Third bite, I found myself chewing paper that is used to seperate patties. I spoke with the lady manager. She was in disbelief there was paper in the burger, and claimed "paper isnt used to separate our patties." Obviously, she didnt understand the customer is always right. She then asked how this could be resolved, obviously I asked for a replacement. By this time, everyone was finished eating. I shouldnt have to tell a manager how to do her job. Clearly, she doesnt understand how to keep customers happy. I had the burger removed from the bill and left without eating. The burger should have been replaced on the house after this ordeal. This was an awful choice to eat for my grandmothers 72nd birthday. Congratulations, this was the first time I never left a tip. Good job. I hope the owners read this review. Youve lost my business for all future dates, dinners, and events. 2/10

A

A Private User

Small, unique place with a unique atmosphere, great beer and great food! This isnt one of your chain places (The Brick, The Keg, etc.), the Powerhouse supports its long history by keeping the atmosphere relatively unique and authentic. Brewing their own beer on the premises means fresh and exclusive. If you love beer you love places like The Powerhouse! 8 to 12 beers on tap at all times with generous prices and friendly, helpful staff. Beer rotation changes seasonally... do what any good risque diner would do... ASK the staff for recommendations and take them! I had the Chicken Basil & Pesto (upon staff recommendation) and it was excellent and filling, very nice portion for the $12.95 (or so) I paid, made me glad I skipped the "real" Italian places that evening. Beer was cheap and of great variety. A sampler of 5 three ounce servings is available for only $5 for the adventurous types. Beer to go was also available. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Atmosphere was great, keeping the unique (its a former power sub-station after all!), small establishment feel without ever feeling crowded. Ill be back!