gourmet

La Mano Verde

by

Here’s an excellent vegan restaurant located in the Kempinksi Plaze just off the Ku’Damm north of U-Bahnhof Uhlandstrasse.  They offer a very creative menu filled with delicious appetizers, soups, salads, main courses and desserts.  The excellent wine list is filled with a great selection of organic wines that will surely please your palate.

I started my meal with the Lime-Almond-Gezpacho, followed by my main course of Capaletti filled with pine nuts and pumpkin with a salbei sauce.  Delicious!  I normally don’t take a dessert, but I was tempted by the Walnut-Caramel-Delice.  Wow, was that good.

If your looking for a vegan restaurant while your in Berlin, I highly recommend you visit La Mano Verde.  More information on their website: http://lamanoverdeberlin.com/

La Mano Verde
Kempinski Plaza
Uhlandstrasse 181-183
10623 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-82 70 31 20
 

Trattoria Mineo

by

Here’s a great little Italian restaurant near Berlin S-Bahnhof Halensee that offers authentic Sardinian-style cuisine.  A good friend of mine introduced me to this restaurant and I’ve been back several times.  Personalized service, Sardinian specialties (including wines from the region), and a cozy atmosphere make this a restaurant you’ll want to come back to many times.

I can recommend the Seafood Risotto as a starter.  It’s prepared perfectly!  My favorite main course is their Veal Saltimbocca.  Tender slices of veal wrapped in prosciutto in delightful sauce.  Molto buono!  For dessert, I have to recommend their Tiramisu.  It’s some of the best I’ve ever had.

If your visiting Berlin, Germany be sure to enjoy a nice dinner at Trattoria Mineo.  Reservations recommended.

Trattoria Mineo
Westfälische Strasse 51
10711 Berlin-Wilmersdorf
Telephone: +49 (0)30-89 04 37 86

 

Rasas – The Spirit of India

by

The name says it all.  Rasas truly is the spirit of India in Berlin, Germany.  This was absolutely the best Indian food I’ve enjoyed so far.  If you’re in Berlin, and you’re looking for a great Indian restaurant, this is it.  They offer very authentic Indian cuisine that’s bursting with flavor and served by their very attentive staff in a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.  They have a superb variety of Indian appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts.  I’m definitely going back again soon to try a few more!

As a main course, I had the Murgh Jhalfrezi (chicken breast fillet with vegetables and Indian spices in a special sauce).  It was wonderful.  It had a good “heat” to it, which I like; but the heat combined with the flavors was incredible.  The main dishes are served with Basmati rice.

Take a look at their website for more information.  http://bit.ly/jeZTnm

Rasas
Bayernallee 42a
(on the corner of Länderallee)
14052 Berlin
+49 (0)30 33 77 29 41

 

Pastis – a great place for Flammkuchen in Berlin

by

Saturday afternoon.  After walking around Rudesheimer Platz we decided to stop at Pastis for a bite to eat.  We ordered the Flammkuchen vegetarisch.  D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!   It was very well-prepared with lots of fresh vegetables and a delicious pesto sauce.   Pair this with a nice glass of wine on a beautiful day – bon appetit!   This is another good reason to visit this excellent French restaurant.

Cookies Cream

by

Creative vegetarian cuisine, well-prepared and delicious; that’s the best way to describe Cookies Cream.  I am not a vegetarian; but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Berlin.  Locate just of Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte this restaurant serves tasty and imaginative vegetarian dishes in an eclectic atmosphere.  I had no idea that vegetarian fare could combine so many interesting flavors together in such a palate pleasing way.  They also have a nice selection of wines to accompany your meal.

The link to their website is quite different from most other restaurants; however, I like the way they’ve used animation to show you the way to their door.  Cookies Cream is an epicurean adventure and one that I think you will enjoy.  http://www.cookiescream.com/

Cookies Cream
55 Behrenstraße
10117 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-27 49  29 40


L’Auberge Dab

by

When you visit Paris, I highly recommend that you visit L’Auberge Dab.  Located in the 16th arrondissement, this restaurant has been serving the freshest seafood and finest meats in Paris for many years.  A charming atmosphere, excellent service and yes – delicious and very well prepared French cuisine.

I really enjoy their “Nos Plateaux de Fruits de Mer” – a delicious selection of fruits from the sea.  Select a nice bottle of white wine to accompany your meal.  I can heartily recommend the Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

For more information about this very fine Paris restaurant, visit their website at: http://www.rest-gj.com/aubergedab-1.html

L’Auberge Dab
161, avenue Malakoff
75116 Paris
Telephone: 33 (0)1 45 00 32 22

 

Le Mani in Pasta

by

I liked this restaurant so much that we ate there three times during our trip to Rome. The restaurant is located in the district of Trastevere – a charming district with lots of side streets to visit and located just to the west of the Tiber river.  I thought all the dishes we had were really outstanding.

If want to try a really authentic Italian appetizer, try the “Insalata di Polipo e Patate” – Octopus and Potato Salad.  It is so good – very fresh and very tasty.

I tried three different pasta dishes on my visits to Le Mani in Pasta.   They were all incredible and this was the reason I kept coming back.  Spaghetti, Linguine, Tagliolini – molto buono!  And if you’re really want a complete Italian dining experience, select a “Secondo” and then finish off your meal with some “Dolce.”  There are plenty of tasty Italian dishes to choose from and I’m sure you’ll find something that will please your palate and satisfy your every culinary desire.  Buon appetito!

More about this excellent restaurant at: http://www.lemaniinpasta.com/

Osteria Le Mani in Pasta
Via dei Genovesi 37
00153 Roma
Italy
Telephone: 39 06 581 6017

 

Pastis – Fine French dining in Berlin

by

Here’s a delightful French Restaurant located at Rüdesheimer Platz in Berlin.  A great location (right next to the U-Bahnhof), friendly service, and excellent French food make this a “must go to”  destination in Berlin.  The menu is updated with daily chef’s specials.  The descriptions of the entrees stimulate both your imagination and your palate.  I found the staff to be very friendly and quite helpful.  They offer a nice selection of wines to accompany your meal.  I am definitely going back.  Bon appetit!

I had the Filet vom Adler Fisch (filet of Sea Bass) with coconut curry foam on a nut Risotto.  It looked good when I saw it on the menu and it was absolutely delicious!

You can find out more about this gem of a restaurant on their website – http://www.restaurant-pastis.de/

Pastis
Rüdesheimer Straße 9
14197 Berlin, Germany
Telephone: 49 (0)30-81055769

 

The Carlton

by

A creative menu, personalized service, and a great atmosphere make for an enjoyable culinary experience at the Carlton Restaurant located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.  Kevin Joyce and his team do everything possible to make your dining experience memorable.  Their menu is updated daily with the chef’s specials and local favorites that keep customers coming back again and again.  Their professional staff will be happy to recommend the perfect wine to accompany your meal from their superb wine selection.

My recommendation: try one of their fresh seafood main courses which are always well-prepared and accompanied by palate pleasing sides (when offered, the Tuna Three Ways is excellent).

More information about this excellent Pittsburgh restaurant at: http://www.thecarltonrestaurant.com/

The Carlton Restaurant
BNY Mellon Center (formerely One Mellon Center)
500 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Telephone: 412-391-4152

 

Il Palio Ristorante

by

A piece of Tuscany located in the heart of North Carolina – welcome to Il Palio.  They serve authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere that will make you feel as though you have been whisked away to a small villa in hills of Tuscany.

This is a great place to take that special someone to celebrate an anniversary or other special occasion; especially since you can arrange for an overnight stay at the Siena Hotel.

My recommendaton:  try one of their excellent pasta dishes.

You can find more information about this very special Italian restaurant at: http://www.sienahotel.com/IlPalio.aspx

Il Palio Ristorante at the Siena Hotel
1505 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Telephone: 919-929-4000