OUR WIRTSHAUS STORY
A German Comfort Kitchen Built for Ottawa
Haus Kartheiser Wirtshaus is being built as a chef-led German comfort kitchen inside the Ottawa VFW hall at 1501 LaSalle Street. The concept brings together schnitzel, wurst, spätzle, rotkohl, rich sauces, warm hospitality, and a room designed for dinner service, private gatherings, and hall events.
The goal is not to create a generic pub or banquet-hall kitchen. The goal is to build a distinct Wirtshaus identity — food-first, event-ready, and rooted in the kind of comfort dishes people want to gather around.
Chef-Led Kitchen
The Wirtshaus is anchored by Chef Mason Hessing, with a food program built around comfort, presentation, and custom-event flexibility.
German Comfort Plates
Schnitzel, wurst, spätzle, rotkohl, sauerbraten, rich sauces, and classic sides shape the heart of the launch menu.
Private Events
Custom plated dinners, buffet menus, and chef-led event service give the room more ways to host memorable nights.
The Chef Who Makes It Happen
Meet Chef Mason Hessing
Chef Mason Hessing brings a hospitality background that reaches beyond the kitchen. He started in restaurants across several roles before falling in love with back-of-house cooking, then grew into private dining, custom events, and chef-led meals for clients in Chicago, the suburbs, and beyond.
At Haus Kartheiser Wirtshaus, Mason helps give the concept its center: German comfort food with enough range to support dinner service, chef specials, weddings, private dinners, and hall events.
Mark Kartheiser
Mark leads the project direction, systems, construction planning, financial controls, and operational setup that are turning the Wirtshaus concept into a functional restaurant and event-ready operation.
His role connects the buildout, brand direction, guest experience, website, vendors, and launch planning so the restaurant can operate with structure from day one.
Jake Less
Jake supports the kitchen side of the Wirtshaus as it comes together, helping build the rhythm needed for prep, service, events, and launch execution.
As the opening plan develops, Jake’s role helps support the practical kitchen flow behind the chef-led food program and the private-event side of the operation.
ROOM, FOOD & GATHERING
Our Story in Pictures
From menu development and chef-led plates to renovation details and custom event service, Haus Kartheiser Wirtshaus is being built as a place where food, family, veterans, neighbors, and private gatherings can all share the same room.
Chef-Led Food. Warm Hospitality. A Room Built for Gathering.
Haus Kartheiser Wirtshaus is designed to stand on its own as a restaurant identity while supporting the hall around it. The food program centers on German comfort plates, the room is being shaped for dinner and events, and the operation is being built with the systems needed to serve guests well.
Schnitzel, wurst, sauces, sides, and specials.
Mason’s kitchen direction gives the concept its center.
Private dinners, weddings, hall events, and custom menus.
A local gathering space with a distinct Wirtshaus identity.