Altes Zollhaus is locate in central Berlin, by Spree canal in a idyllic setting, tucked away from the hassle and bustle of city life. The building reminded me of a small castle in the middle a forest in a fairytale story. The restaurant is beautifully furnished in a country house style with some exposed beams and hidden behind trees and a biergarten. Downstairs is the main restaurant with about twelve tables of six and four people; and one big table in the middle holds about ten people. Upstairs there’s a very nicely decorated function room and that evening they had a wedding party. Once again we didn’t have a reservation. However, the staff were very accommodating and swiftly found us a table. It didn’t take long for the room to fill up from very distinguish locals to international business guests. The ambiance was cheerful with people talking and laughing without disturbing the other patrons. The restaurant was awarded the highly respected “Kochmütze” award by the renowned restaurant guide, Gault Millau, for its persistently excellent gastronomic performance. And what a performance!
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| The dining room |
Once seated we were given the menu and told that the restaurant is famous for their regional and duck specialities. This restaurant has a modern take on the regional cuisine. Once we order our aperitif (below), the waitress brought some appetizers: cottage and pesto, sour cream and chillies, black olives and hers, virgin olive oil and fresh baked bread.
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| The house aperitif: mini apple, calvados topped with German sparkling wine |
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| The smallest apple I ever seen |
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| Tasty! |
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| the menu |
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| they have their own wine yard |
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| 2006 HORCHER popt ROT |
The service discreet, charming and seamless. The food, made from local produce and high quality ingredients, was glorious – a word I don’t use very often to describe food! That evening our dishes were expertly prepared by Florian Kliem – the head chef and his team.
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Duck heart, stomach with truffle mash – delicious!
It tasted better than it sounds. The sauce was thick and complemented the meat very well. |
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Goats cheese crisp cornett with preserved vinegar apricots
They looked liked samosas and they were divine! another great combination. |
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Salad of sweet water crayfish and seabass and watercress
a lovely fresh dish ideal for a summer’s evening |
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Veal and Chanterelle mushrooms
Chanterelle are in season so it couldn’t be a better choice to the tender and succulent veal |
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Duck confit with potato cake and braised cabbage
a house speciality and very well executed. |
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| Lavender ice cream |
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| creme brulee prepared at the table |
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| the cheeseboard desert with sweet mustard – I loved all but the mustard made it very special indeed! |
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The bill came in this box and I forgot to take picture of it!
The bill came to €196 for 3 people – well worth it.
Highly recommended. Booking advisable.
Altes Zollhaus
Carl-Herz-Ufer 30
10961 Berlin
t: 030 6923-300
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Mini apple, calvados and sparkling wine – yum!!
Very interesting meal! Isnt that a cherry though from looking at stem and seed? Will be browsing more of your blog later!
Hi Silvana It was lovely drink, perfect start to the meal.
ANON – at first I wasn't sure then I tasted it and it was definitely an apple. It wasn't a green cherry. Thanks for taking time to view my blog.