Bringing a Piece of Germany to the Midwest!

Her attraction was simple.  She worked in an office and he was kind. She saw that immediately. More than that, his accent, German, was attractive to her, somewhat sexy and the leather ties he wore just made him a stand out in her mind. She barely knew him but that quickly changed. My dear friend Karen met a German man, Detlef and her life forever changed. 

When she met him, the chemistry was immediate.  When she spoke of him, in the early days, I could sense a metamorphosis right before my eyes.  It was not just star-crossed lovers or infatuation, though it had those elements, it was a soul connection.  She found a man that had chivalry and yet had humility.  Detlef had class and confidence about him at all times but could balance it out somehow with a gentleness that was soft and comforting when she needed a rock to lean on.  His compassion extended to others as well.  She knew she had found a gem. 

Early on in the courtship, it became apparent, German culture was an important part of who Detlef was. Karen’s familiarity with this was non-existent. Infact, her first meal was a German breakfast he served her of hard rolls, cold cuts and soft boiled eggs. She was a Boston raised girl who had been transplanted to Northern Kentucky through her first marriage.  Thus, she set her sights, early on in their courtship and marriage to getting acclimated and familiar with German culture and culinary favorites and traditions, in particular her husband’s.

Through-out their twenty-one year marriage, they both had discussed and dreamed of one day opening a restaurant venue that would be a compilation of the best of their ideas.  Karen would be the creative mastermind behind the design of the space, with Detlef’s input to keep it true to the German heritage so it was authentic.   And the recipes that would be used will only be the tried and true recipes passed down from Detlef’s mother so they were the real deal, German special dishes and not the fast food variety of an imitation plate so many restaurant chains serve.   

This dream became a reality last year and on their twenty-first wedding anniversary, to the day, the restaurant they had so longing dreamed of, was opened, Steinhaus German Restaurant in Florence, Kentucky.  All the years they had spent enjoying going out for good food, great dinner venues and fine dining was now something they were offering to others.  They took the best of what they experienced what they knew and created something better.  

Front Entrance

Their restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it has a style that is uniquely different. 

From the design where the energy flow is a constant stream through-out the inside of the

facility with no angles or cuts anywhere to the unusual European style mixed bathroom one has to see to compare to typical public American restrooms.  There are hand painted murals on the walls of the countryside of Germany.  

So many places to eat these days are chains.  I am so thrilled my friend chose to start something that is truly an original, uniquely theirs, not a replica of anything created before.  This is the real Mom and Pops idea, the American dream. Detlef became an American citizen because he believes in the dream and is working hard to make it materialize.  The Koeppes feel the best value is in supreme service, excellent food, and a divine environment.  These are their core values and the guiding principles they drive the restaurant and their staff with each and every day.

Especially popular here is a concept called The Gratitude Circle.  This is a special table with a spiral on the carpet where diners can be seated on one side or both sides of the unusual shaped table.  It has wall barriers so it is a more secluded area of the restaurant making it feel as if you are in the elite crowd sitting there and it is in close proximity to the bar as well! It is best seen as it is a hard image to describe.    The acoustics in the center of the circle is something magical; the voice of the person speaking echoes! I had the opportunity to be seated in this area, very cool!

A German restaurant would not be German if not for many steins around to view. This place has the most elaborate decorative steins you will ever see anywhere! And several are huge!  The beauty of the imagery on them is unbelievable and they will allow you to freely take pictures while dining there which many diners I noticed do.  It is impossible to capture them all in just one visit.  

There is also a Stein Club patrons can join. When you dine there, be sure and ask your waiter for all the details. With a membership, you can attend the regular meetings for

Stein Club Members

members and also get your stein put in the boxed area behind the waiter stand and held there exclusively for you any time you arrive at Steinhouse.  

To understand how those that frequent their restaurant feel, one only needs to visit the attached review site to see.  Click this to go to Reviews Chris Helms, General Manager, is given many accolades also for his ability to not only supervise the staff and manage the restaurant but accommodate large clients’ needs for their reception and banquet hall.   

The biggest thrill of all to me is seeing two wonderful friends with a marriage still full of romance like the day I stood up next to them have a big dream come to fruition. I would hope, by describing what is unique about Steinhouse, others will be enticed to not only experience it but tell others!   Whether on a date night, family night or just a group going out, check it out!  Please let Karen, Detlef or Chris know you would like to be an advocate, if interested, after eating there. Advocates, if given cards, can give out 7 and when those 7 individuals turn theirs in, you get a discount on your meal.  Keep in mind too, the gorgeous banquet rooms are available for larger venues, be it receptions, seminars, business meetings.  They also have different menu options available for those. 

The staff is also important but never as important as you, those that are the patrons. 

Thank you for those reading this that frequent my dear friends’ dream!  And those that are about to go, from reading this blog, Danke schön!