We waited forever to eat here because from the street it looked as though it was just another cafeteria, probably just for the language school groups who didn't have time to search out something else. Even when we came inside, and saw that it was a restaurant, we still had reservations, though the atmosphere was very warm and welcoming--not loud at all, even when a large group of students came in the back. The service was great, but it was the food that was amazing. My fellow skeptic ordered the Schnitzel with Bratkartoffeln, and I picked out three of the German "tapas" in the front of the menu. He was super happy with his Schnitzel--which was ridiculously big, and came with a whole bowl of fried potatoes--and I was unspeakably happy with my small portions of North Sea shrimp in some sort of mayonnaise sauce (if only they were more environmentally friendly), a small tomato salad (with summery sweet cherry tomatoes, probably grown in a nuclear powered greenhouse on the Danish border, but very delicious), and tiny little baked potatoes in sour cream and oil. I stole some of the Bratkartoffeln from my date (just three of the tapas were enough to curb my hunger, but not quite fill me up), and they were delicious as well, though I think the baked potatoes were just a little bit better. The tapas idea is super--and well executed, if all of their other tapas are anywhere near as good as the three I tried. If my parents are ever here in Berlin, this is where I'm going to take them. The other tapas on the menu are all traditional German foods as well--Schwarzbrot with cheese and honey, split pea soup, and maybe even Eisbein?
Update (10.03.2011): So I still plan on taking my parents here for the tapas, but I'd like to qualify my recommendation above and take off one of the stars. Since I originally wrote, I've tried the main courses, which vary by season, and all of them were very overpriced and disappointing (undercooked polenta, very overcooked "Schweinebraten")--even inedible. On the other hand, we regularly go back for the daily lunch specials and the tapas are a good bargain. I'm also a new convert to the green Flammkuchen. This is not, however, the place to go for a fancy dinner. Lots of better options in the neighborhood. read more