What a phenomenal surprise during my brief stay in Berlin...!…read more
Pauly is a Michelin-rated restaurant, and it certainly is classy and a little pricey but SO worth it, and not stuffy at all. We came on a local's recommendation, and it was a great one.
We dined in a lovely courtyard behind the main building/entrance. The service was incredible, and the sommelier was a true gentleman and expert at his craft. He paired our meal delightfully and without breaking the bank. Service was wonderful, and paced well. Each course came out in good timing, and we never waited long for anything. There was always something to nibble on at the table, even between the more substantial entrees.
Each course was better than the one before it, and the ingredients were creatively integrated and used (mackerel "chips"?? Rhubarb 4 ways for dessert?! AWESOME!). The plating was sublime, and the presentation, as you can see in the photo my friend put together from our evening, was total art.
The rundown, from the photo:
Clockwise: bread basket, deconstructed cucumber soup amuse-bouche, mussel chips with mackeral and strawberry, wild zucchini with risotto and corn foam, ox cheek with potato coins, rhubarb four ways for dessert, chef's gift of gold macarons and "coal" ice cream, and the brave survivors. :-)
We enjoyed the flavors and even a few little surprises from the kitchen, chef's treat...so much fun to dine here! We had an experience, both in flavor and in the dining setting, that none of us will soon forget. German dining in style, for sure. And yes, smoking is allowed in Europe, for the other reviewers that were harsh about that, it's a cultural misunderstanding I guess...really not a problem in our group's opinion, and we had several Americans in tow.
Can't wait to visit again in the near future...!