Our party of six (including 2 children) came here after Fat Head's was too busy and crowded during some football game - what a delightful surprise! I was already dreading a meal with the kids in tow (especially when Fat Head's was our original destination) but this location was AMAZING and so kind to my children!
The decor is just really cool (I wish we were the table with the fire pit in the center!) - so it was cool on face value and gave my kids lots to look at and talk about (A+)
Then, the entire staff was just super friendly and knowledgeable. When my child asked the hostess about juice she was more than accommodating letting him know all the juices they had and continuing his never-ending conversation about food and gosh knows what else.
The beers were YUM and the food was the same. The prices were also not unreasonable which was refreshing. I had the Fall Salad, our entire table devoured 2 apps of pretzels, elk burgers, steak and macaroni cheese all around ... they were even so kind to make a grilled cheese for my four year old (which isn't on the menu).
It's a smaller place so I think it would be cool for dates because it's intimate and not too loud. If you're really into German culture, you'll like the plates and everything else too - they serve beers in the glasses they are meant to be served in and the plates are genuine (albeit fragile! And no - we didn't break anything)
This place was just a really cool find on Carson Street - and I didn't even know you couldn't smoke there but that would explain why I could breathe during my meal. A++ from this original NY-er where smoking was banned over a decade ago in restaurants.