16. September 2012: Restaurant Relish @The Westin Grand Berlin
The evening started with a selection of mango relish, relish seasoned the Asian way, rough pepper, sea salt and a selection of different breads and it was definitely a good start. As the Westin Grand Berlin was celebrating its 25th anniversary I went for the anniversary menu (5 courses, EUR 66.00).
The menu started with a crispy bunny on mushrooms, peaches and wild herbs (EUR 12.00 – if taken as a single course). The rabbit was luscious and the combination of the mushroom with peaches and wild herbs was a great mixture between a balanced taste, a sweet taste and a herbal taste. Delicious!
In order to “calm down”, a cold avocado foam soup with garden bread (EUR 8.00 – if taken as a single course) was served. The soup was refreshing and refined with pumpkin seed oil. On the side, a quail egg was served.
A cripsy charr with a risotto of pearl barley on garden herbs (tangetis and barbara herb) was the third round of the night. The charr was quite okay – nothing outstanding but good. The risotto of pearl barley though was outstanding and absolutely mouht-watering. The herbs from their roof top garden were absolutely delicious in combination with the risotto – making your taste buds go wild (EUR 17.00 – if taken as a single course).
The main course was veal medaillon from Linum wrapped with Pata Negra, served with chanterelles, pears and potato mikados (EUR 29.00 – if taken as a single course). The meat was tender and rich due to the Pata Negra, the chanterelles in combination with the pear were outstandingly tasteful. The potato mikados were definitely not my thing – somehow just not appealing at all.
The last course was a selection of cheeses with fruit bread and fig mustard (EUR 13.50 – if taken as a single course). The cheese was good, the bread as well and so was the fig mustard. And here is the perfect crossover to the service Ms. Susann Russow provided. It was absolutely excellent – outstanding, she was very friendly, were professional, helpful at all times and just being there when you needed anything. The only small thing which was not perfect was that she did not explain which cheeses were served. Other than that, absolutely great service!
The place itself is pretty nice – it is not really large and is located in the lobby of the Westin Grand Berlin hotel – but it still somehow is nicely decorated and quite quiet.
The prices are pretty hefty for Berlin one must admit – although 5 courses for EUR 66.00 is not that much. The wine I was recommended, a bottle of “Rioja Marqués de Riscal, Reserva, Alavesa, Alava” (EUR 40.00), was tasty and fit well to the courses served. A bottle of water is EUR 9.00, a double espresso EUR 6.00 and a glas of white wine Riesling Wagner (1dl) accounts for EUR 6.00.
The Restaurant Relish is absolutely recommendable – it has been rated among the top 101 hotel restaurants of the world according to the TheDailyMeal.com. And I must admit it is definitely a great restaurant – have not had many better in a hotel, honestly. So, if you are in Berlin, it is even worth trying the Restaurant Relish when you are not staying at The Westin Grand Berlin.
Rating:
| Atmosphere: |   |
|
| Service: |  |
|
| Dishes: | |
|
| Price-Performance Ratio: | |
|
| Overall Rating: | |
Contact Details:
Restaurant Relish @The Westin Grand Berlin
Friedrichstrasse 158-164
10117 Berlin (DE)
Tel.: +49 30 20 27 31 77
E-Mail: restaurant@westin-berlin.com
Homepage: http://www.theberlingrandhotel.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
