Thanks a lot for your replies.
Marco I think I found a better way:
Plot3D[1/(x + 1), {x, -2, 2}, {y, 0, 2}, Exclusions -> {x == -1},
PlotRange -> {{-2, 2}, {0, 2}, {-5, 5}}, ClippingStyle -> None]
ClippingStyle is an option that specifies the style of what should be drawn when curves or surfaces would extend beyond the plot range.
http://reference.wolfram.com/mathematica/ref/ClippingStyle.html
This way one is free to specify the plot range.