Top 50 best restaurants in the world, so of course we had to try! Reservation was surprisingly simple and I was able to get a spot no problem. We were escorted downstairs, which I highly recommend! It's more quiet and has a better atmosphere than upstairs - feels like you're in a private place. The foods tasted great! But in all honesty, it felt like a normal Michelin restaurant. No complaints there, but nothing extraordinary in relation. I was surprised to leave with a full belly though! I do recommend freeing up 3 hours. We had plans after so we requested a quicker service, which they gladly accommodated. The turnaround between dishes was 15-30 mins. All in all, I recommend trying if it fits the budget and you get to say you've been to one of the top 50 best restaurants in the world! read more

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This was our second 2-start Michelin guide and it was jaw-dropping incredible. Unfortunately, my friends, you will need to head to Berlin to dine here, but thankfully I now report to a team in Berlin, so I hope to eat here again! The courses were expectedly delicious, but unexpectedly inventive in their beautiful presentation. They actually offered TWO separate tasting menus to choose from. My partner and I each picked one and tried each other's meals. It was pure delight from start to finish, and easily in the top 5 meals I've ever had! read more

Oh, my! My wife and I went to Restaurant Tim Raue on the recommendation of my son. Reading that it was rated as one of the Top 40 restaurants in the world was a nice affirmation. We both selected different 8 course tasting menus and shared them. With all of the extras they threw in, it seems like we each had about 25 items to sample. The chef was able to make even things I normally dislike, like pork belly and foie gras taste good to me-a remarkable achievement. This was the longest (5 12/ hours), most expensive ($750 for two), and most memorable meal of my lifetime. It was simply fantastic from start to finish. The wines paired with the various courses also complimented the courses extremely well. I will always treasure our special evening at Restaurant Tim Raue. I don't know if I'll be back in Berlin anytime soon, but, Like the Terminator, I'll be back read more

Tim Raue - Asian Fusion Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Located near Checkpoint Charlie and the neighborhood he grew up in Tim Raue's eponymous restaurant serves Asian-inspired Cuisine with a focus on Ingredient quality and casual yet attentive service. Never the sort of Chef to conform, roots in Kreuzberg but an obsession with Asian Spices and cooking techniques yielding an author's Cuisine since 2006, it is after passing a piece of the Berlin Wall featuring W50B accolades that diners enter the Michelin 2-star room eclectically decorated from top to bottom. At one time an aspiring architect, prior to French training and travel to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Tokyo, Raue's current style began to emerge after earning "Chef of the Year" by Gault&Millau, travels since inspiring new ideas that comprise two tasting menus offered at night plus a chance to cherry-pick the best of each at Lunch on Saturday. Seamlessly blending Japanese purism with Cantonese methods, but not afraid to source Singapore, Szechuan or Thailand for flavors, 2017 Riesling Lotusblute exclusive to the Restaurant pairs elegantly to an Amuse rollercoaster featuring everything from a simple candied Walnut to vibrant Fish Broth and assertive "Mustard Coal." Ordered as six proper courses for €138, no Bread service but flanked by extras, the day's first dish arrived as three crispy Dumplings in a pool of Crustacean Stock with Soy, each bite subtle but effective preceding Pike Perch that emerges from steam tableside with Mint soon tickling the palate beneath a blanket of housemade Sauerkraut. Known for using Fruits to add natural sweetness amidst acidity and spice, "Duck a l'Orange" Dim Sum a stunning example as Kumquat peaks out from beneath Chili Oil, Pumpkin and Mushroom Gravy, Chef Raue's take on Sate Chicken seems almost too basic despite the elegant presentation. Using no Gluten or Lactose across the menu, Desserts included, Raue's signature spin on Peking Duck is a worthy main course comprising three plates and everything from Duck Broth with Tamago to Foie Gras while Pastry Chef Mortiz Müller's combination of Pecan, Pear and Andoa Chocolate runs a gamut of tastes, consistencies and temperatures. read more

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This asian-inspired restaurant, surrounded by the "Checkpoint Charlie" crowds outside, had every one of their 25 tables filled for lunch, including the basement grotto. Good thing I didn't try my usual, no-reservations approach. Once inside, I found the decor incongruous: a clever integrated table/tablecloths arrangement, a group of 20 "lucky cats," and giant painting of street scene with trashbags. The history of the area? I didn't ask. Off to one side, the partially open kitchen was only visible from about 10 seats.. Some of the plates seemed to have escaped the kichen without a filter, such as the 8-part amuse bouche (the only plate served with chopsticks). There was a little printed card left at the table, to help keep track of each delicious bite. And others, such as the "l'orange" duck shumai, with kumquat and pumpkin, were an excellent combination of taste and presentation. But the service for every plate was quite good. I did feel sorry for the couple at the table next to mine - she had ordered the vegan menu, and her companion chose the normal menu. "Hier ist deine Karotte!" Yum, yum. It did look amazing. But it was a carrot. I am hoping to return soon. And eat more duck. 2022 08 27. M2. read more

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Overall, the flavors and creativity are impressive. Expect Asian or Asian fusion flavors with some surprise punches of heat here and there. Definitely get the duck supplement...it's worth the splurge! The room strikes a great balance between fine dining and casual with all the servers wearing sneakers and short sleeves. That playfulness extended to some of the dishes as well with one course being served with neon utensils. Loved it! So why only 3 stars? A few key reasons: --We did the wine pairing and the blonde sommelier seemed completely disinterested in doing his job. Multiple times he poured wine and walked away without talking about the wine. We actually had to ask a server to have him come over to tell us what we were drinking and he seemed downright annoyed at us for doing so. When he did talk to us, his descriptions were terse and without emotion or excitement. He really did a major disservice to the meal. --It didn't help that some of the wines could have been better. For example, I was surprised to see Au Bon Climat table wine blend being served since it is nothing special. --While some dishes blew us away (chiefly the dim some pea, the langostine and the duck), others seemed to miss the mark. We did the seasonal menu and the lobster course was overcooked and the celeriac underwhelmed as well. If you're looking for one high end meal in Berlin, I'd recommend Facil over Tim Raue. read more

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kabob house is back open. the food is very nice as well as the atmospher. i highly recommend this place. everything is fresh and taste. read more

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Wow, what an amazing and expensive experience but oddly, worth it. I'm pescatarian so I went with the vegan options of 6 courses and added the langoustine. It was a beautiful experience- we received new silverware for each course. Very attentive staff, not stuffy at all. I don't believe there is a dress code either because there were all types of people there. I was stuffed! Portions are small but full of flavor and the cumulative effect is a very rich meal. Restaurant has minimal art and the decor is very clean and open. Definitely happy I splurged in this during my short trip to Berlin. read more

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Cyndy's Bottom Line: Well executed dishes that provoke your tastebuds. *Minimalist decor *Beautiful flower arrangement *Interesting art work *Great ambiance *Excellent service *Nice wine selection We did the tasting menu 8 plus the supplement of signature dishes of wasabi langoustine and peking duck interpretation TR. The flavor profile of the tasting menu were bold, spicy and tantalizing. Enjoyed the experience! read more

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Moin, ich will euch mal was erzählen, der Seebär, seine Frau und drei Landratten, haben einen Ausflug gemacht. Es ging nach Berlin. Da wir großen Hunger hatten, dachten wir, lass uns mal zu Tim Raue gehen und einen Happen essen. Wie gesagt, so getan. Wir kamen in der Rudi-Dutschke-Str. 26 an. Am Eingang ein paar Fotos gemacht, und dann kam ein junger Mann auf uns zu und bat uns ins Restaurant. Wir haben uns nicht lange betteln lassen, die Garderobe wurde uns abgenommen und dann saßen wir auch schon am Tisch. Eine junge Frau brachte uns die Speisekarte und wir mussten uns entscheiden ob wir Fisch oder Vogel essen wollen, Also "Koi oder Kolibri". Nach dem wir uns entschieden haben ging es auch gleich los. Der erste Gang kam, ich schaute auf meinen Teller und dachte an meine Fischerkneipe und an die Möwen, die man ja nicht Füttern soll, aber den Gedanken habe ich gleich wieder verworfen und den ersten Happen genommen. So, jetzt ist der Moment an dem ich eine Pause schreiben müsste, hier passierte jetzt etwas, was ich ungefähr so beschreiben würde. Es ist Silvester, du zündest eine Rakete und sitzt auf der Rake, fliegst und fliegst und dann explodiert sie. Bis dahin wusste ich nicht wie viele Geschmacksrezeptoren ich im Mund habe. Ich glaube aber, es wurden alle angesprochen. Der Norddeutsche würde sagen "Jo, kann man essen" was schon die höchste Auszeichnung für einen Koch in Mecklenburg ist. Dieser Zustand hielt jetzt 7 Gänge + 3 Grüße aus der Küche und zwei Stunden an. Ich möchte mich im Namen meiner Freunde recht herzlich bei Tim Raue und seinem Team für diesen schönen Abend bedanken.  "Der Seebär" read more

As they say on their website, " in the end it's all about wanting to lick your plate" and there was not one dish that I had that feeling. To me, everything was good, but nothing was super special....except the bill. With tasting menu and wine pairing over $600 per person. I was so disappointed as this place is known as the best Berlin restaurant that I thought perhaps dining in Berlin wasn't worth the money. Then I ate at Bon Mon. Expensive, not as expensive and plate lickin good. F read more

I was PISSED that half the Michelin restaurants in Germany were closed in August. Fortunately, Tim Raue has a hardcore work ethic and stayed open. To me there is a very large invisible line that separates one from two-star Michelin restaurants and this place got there with excellent service and food so beautiful that you want to punch yourself in the face for messing it up with the heinous act of actually eating it. The restaurant has some eclectic and kitschy art that would cater to your hipster crowd, but is overall fairly minimalist. Most of the tables have corner seating arrangements so there are few tables that don't have a good view of the restaurant. The staff uniform consists of a black polo and black sneakers - again hipster fine dining. Despite this, the service is very serious and a bit stiff, but I have to applaud them for the smoothness and precision. We each did one of the two tasting menus to try everything. The food is overall good, but not leaving you wanting for more. I feel like they were strong with acid in almost every course, and several were a bit heavy handed with salt, but I did enjoy the creativity in flavor fusions and textures. The only dish that wowed me was the salmon (a fish I never order in a restaurant), which was perfect. The restaurant suffers a bit from Michelin-itis - trying so hard to be flawless in service and presentation that the taste of food seems to get a bit lost in the shuffle. Total damage for 2 with 1 wine pairing ~$800 USD. We definitely enjoyed Tim Raue, the hardest working restaurant in Germany. read more

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This was such a special experience with friends. Traveling from NYC and Denver we wanted to have an ultimate foodie experience that could meet the dietary needs of my vegan friend and my vegan self. We had such a blast, with amazing wine and thoroughly enjoyed the artisan multi course meal. Even if it was a little salty for my liking I still absolutely loved it here and the service was so friendly and professional. Wish I took more photos! read more

Tim Raue - Vegan - Asian Fusion Near Me - Berlin, BE

I would definitely recommend eating the menu. My wife and I spent four hours. We didn't choose the peking duck. You can reserve a table two - three months in advance. read more

Tim Raue - Imperial caviar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Berlin, BE

Oh my goodness, the best restaurant in Berlin by far. This was such a fabulous meal from start to finish. Everything was perfect from the food to the service. A group of 3 couples and each couple got the two tasting menus so everyone could try everything. Pictures don't do it justice. There was an option to add the wagyu beef and the Wasabi Langoustine. The wasabi was my favorite dish- so unique and flavorful. Just wow! However, there was not a single disappointing dish. Being able to try both menus, we had such a wide variety of flavors and dishes. We were each given a little bag of chocolates on the way out. They really know the way to my heart! The sommelier was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about German wine, specifically whites. He had bottles from his personal collection, which added a nice touch. Restaurant isn't small, but feels intimate. Take a walk to the bathroom downstairs to check out the decorations. Not sure, but this space seems like it could be used to host private events. There are many great places to eat in Germany but this 2* Michelin restaurant was such a great experience, I'd recommend to anyone traveling to Berlin to find a way to get here. read more

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This is as good as it gets. We had a five course lunch at T.R and Everything from the service to the ambiance and food was nothing short of spectacular. I only had to take one bite of my pork dumbling with pepper and mayonaise to understand the level of food T.R serves up. Before our visit, me and my wife talked about how much you can elevate asian food. Now we know how great you can do when you elevate it and turns it into magic fine dining fusion. We had the Wasabi langoustine wich was a "must have" signature dish and well Worth the extra 12 € on top of the normal lunch price tag. The T.R version of the Peking Duck was another must and had three different plates wich all came together with the classic flavors of the original dish but much refined and with a duck broth that blew me away. Beef with pepper and XO sauce, Chicken with peanut sauce and Hamachi with jade sauce was among other of our favourites but all dishes was so tasty that its hard to choose. The prices are as you can imagine and our tab ended up at around 250 € with one bottle of riesling, water and a chinese beer. The service is just perfect without beeing too much as some Michelin restuarants. We had another great meal at 3 star iconic l'Astrance in Paris but honestly, this one was even better. So if you find yourself in Berlin and want to devour a meal that will leave you breathless and craving more. This is the place without a doubt. read more

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A very good restaurant with a typical but delicious food. Compliment to the very attentive and professional service staff. The surroundings were great. We will be back. Definitely recommended read more

With a trip to Berlin already planned we knew we wanted to eat at Tim Raue Restaurant after seeing the special about him on TV. We made reservations for lunch (dinner was not available) and looked forward to the occasion. It was fantastic and all that we could have expected: superb service, beautiful decor and excellent dining. The dining staff are exceptional with every detail taken into consideration. We chose the two different chefs platings and enjoyed every bite. The only thing in give pause to was after the fifth plating, the following three came out very slow. The staff could see we were looking impatient and addressed the matter but we finished the meal without enjoying the dessert. My favorite was the langostina and of course the Peking duck. The wine selection and recommendations were phenomenal. read more

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Tim Raue is a high-end, two Michelin star restaurant located near Checkpoint Charlie in the heart of Berlin, serving Asian fusion food. The service, plating, and presentation at this semi-casual restaurant were impeccable, but the flavors of the dishes themselves left something to be desired, especially given the high price point. We got the six-course Signature menu as well as the restaurant's signature dish, the Peking duck. Out of all these courses, I found two of them in particular to be worth mentioning. First, the Kaisergranat, or lobster, which was breaded, fried, and served with a delicious wasabi mayonnaise with just the right amount of kick, along with mango, carrots, and what appeared to be rice crackers: the lobster was tender and flavorful and went perfectly with all of the accompaniments--even the waiter serving us said that this was his absolute favorite dish from the restaurant! The other very memorable menu item was the black pepper beef, which was fall-apart tender (uncharacteristic of a typical Asian beef dish) and very deep in savory beef flavor. It was also served with peppercorns and covered in a vinegar/tea sauce, which added to the complexity of the flavors. Overall, eating here was certainly a great experience and a splurge, but I probably would not come back anytime soon, since the flavors of the dishes were not all that memorable, and given the high price point. read more

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LOVED the food here!! My husband and I were seriously impressed with Tim Raue, and we are picky food snobs. Asian food is our favorite (I'm Asian, husband is not) because it's just so flavorful and multi-dimensional, and this restaurant definitely captures the best aspects of Asian (fusion) cuisine, from the umami to the notes of citrus and accents of spices and spiciness. The dishes were flavorfully colorful, delicious, and creative, and I couldn't get enough. We didn't have any pairings but the couple next to us did and at one point they had an amazingly exotic-looking cocktail that I wish I could've tried! Ambience is upscale but more casual than a formal fine dining restaurant. They display some cool & eclectic paintings too. Absolutely one of my top favorites from the World's 50 Best list! read more

TIM RAUE restaurant, Berlin. 2 stars 40th best restaurant in the world. The place is very nice. High ceilings. Big windows to the boulevard. Entrance in the back in a little industrial looking court. Confortable tables. Lots of light. Two menus of course at 2* prices plus Berlin prices. But the quality of the food is totally up to the par. Stylish and lovely amuse-bouches spread on 8 plates to pick with long chopsticks. Then a lovely first dish based on caviar. See the details of the préparations on the menu. Then the next dish is very good and very powerful. Strong spiced, salt, power. We are happy. Then the next dish is also very powerful, even more and we are still happy. But then one needs to be refreshed as some point by a lighter " delicate " dish. But no here each dish comes back at you like a heavyweight boxing champion, just hitting you more. It's the only problem with this restaurant. The power and strength of the WHOLE menu. Hopefully we had added the langoustine as an extra dish and that was a little less powerful (although with a wasabi crust around and sugar and spices in the sauce. So yeah. Then suckling pig, crispy skin and very tasty flesh but we were overpowered by everything we had before. A céleri course was a little lighter but then the pigeon with a very powerful sauce and over the top spices. And believe me, we are used to strong spice (vindaloo, green Chili, etc) but too many spicy and strong courses one after one is too much. All in all it was really very good. But the menu should be structured in a way that you don't overpower the guests' mouths. One the side of the wines, the selection started with extremely classical wines, then the sommelier noticed us and gave us some more interesting choices. Still too many of the wines were sweet which during the meal is not my idea thing. A nice Junmai saké was a good break. Small critic : you need to ask for a " voucher " to use their WiFi and they give you a code which is only valid for 1,5 hours.... whilst your meal will be at least 3 hours long, I thought it was silly and cheap. They should just have a simple code like " TimRaue2019 " and just change it from time to time. Service was very nice. I would return in the hope maybe at another season to have a more " varied powers " menu. It's clearly worth the 2* even though I would be on a global note of 16/20 (effectively 17 but minus one as we were " tired " after the menu as it was too strong). read more

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4 stars for food but 5 for service and attentiveness. I wasn't sure what to expect at Tim Raue, mostly because the idea of fusing German and Asian flavors(East Asian but not necessarily SE Asian as I found out) was not that appealing. I had the 4 course tasting menu which was accompanied by an amuse buche and an digestif palette cleanser. The best course by far was the beef sort rib with spring onions, although the duck dim sum was perfectly cooked as well. Overall everything had the same flavor and lacked depth. My favorite favorite item was the post meal cucumber freeze with passion fruit creme. I could eat that shit every day and die happy. Maybe for dinner service there is more attention to the food, but overall it just wasn't that exciting- high quality products with a focus on seasonality was much appreciated but honestly I didn't find anything bold or bright enough (exception mentioned above). I would go again because for two michelins the price is on point, and of course the sommelier was perfect. read more

Tim Raue - Asian Fusion Near Me - Berlin, BE

Tim is infatuated with Asian herbs, particularly lemongrass and cumin, and the place reminds me of the early heady days when Australians were leading the charge into fusion cuisine. That said, the quality of dining is quite good, though the portions could have been a touch more generous. The ingredients are indeed top quality and the textures and flavours are rather sublime at times. Service is perfect, attentive, friendly with a touch of humour. Decor is as one would expect from a restaurant that charges 148 EUR for the tasting menu. Overall, good, maybe even very good but still some way short of the finesse of, say, Harald Wohlfahrt at the Schwarzwalder Stube. However, Tim Raue's genius is his ability to sway Germans into appreciating fusion dining and that can only be a good thing. read more

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I've now been here twice, both times for lunch. It's so crazy cheap compared to michelin restaurants in Denmark, so it would be completely crazy if I didn't go, when in Berlin! The lunch menu is usually a bunch of different courses, and you then choose how many courses you want. A 6-course lunch-menu is 68 euros - but you can also chose 3, 4 or 5 courses. There might be an extra fee on some of the courses, but nothing too expensive. You'll also get a set of different hors d'oeuvres before te 1st course. The atmosphere (and waiters) is extremely polite, but at the same time really laidback and relaxed and does not feel snobby at all. The sommelier is always up for a little chit/chat about the different wines, and are happy to learn you something interesting about the wine you're drinking along the way. The kitchen is asian fusion and so, so, so good! Mr. Raue and his team of chefs certainly knows what they're doing out there. read more

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I had so much fun. Lots of exotic citruses and Eastern influences - wild combinations. The amuse bouche pieces were all so varied, the baby bok choy being my favorite! A lot of bitter notes, and a little bit of everything where meat is concerned, the Veal being the coup de gras of the signature menu (6 courses). Service was absolutely lovely, the martini was perfect, and I didn't want to leave despite not liking the chicken skewer dish. Comfortable environs, and lots of little surprises along the way. Highly recommend. read more

I like the feel of this restaurant, it's elegant and comfortable at the same time. The staff are friendly, attentive and enthusiastic. The food is modern chinese, beautifully plated. I was a bit let down by the desserts which were good but not spectacular. It is surprisingly expensive (even by London standards I would say) but I would probably go back for a special occasion. read more

Tim Raue - Asian Fusion Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Overall, the flavors and creativity are impressive. Expect Asian or Asian fusion flavors with some surprise punches of heat here and there. Definitely get the duck supplement...it's worth the splu read more

Amazing but pricey Asian fusion restaurant around the corner from Checkpoint Charlie. Great ambiance and world class service that seems effortless potions are small but packed with flavors I've never experienced before. Most are sweet and savory. The extensive wine list is reasonably priced. I've posted lots of pictures of the restaurant and the meal. Without desert and including a tip the tab came to about €285. That included two glasses of sparkling wine and a bottle of Neumeister Sauvignon Blanc. You get a great amuse bouche medley and sweets with the meal. From a dining point of view, this is as good as it gets in Berlin. Quality triumphs over quantity. Very satisfying. read more

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This Michelin Star restaurant deserves it's stars! The Asian fusion dishes were amazingly tasty and refreshing to the palette. If you're looking for a discerning treat with mouthwatering deliciousness in every dish, then this is the restaurant to go to. It is not a restaurant you dine at every night, but for a special occasion, you're in good hands. The wait staff are very attentive to your food needs and are there to help explain and answer any questions about the menu. Speaking of the menu, if you are a vegetarian looking for a Michelin Star Restaurant that has a good variety of vegetarian dishes, then Tim Raue is a good place for you. They have prix fix menus, but we decided to go a La Carte in order to get a little bigger serving size. They even create a custom menu with the dishes you've selected, so that you know exactly what's in it. My fiance and I both selected 2 main dishes and dessert. Everything tasted amazing! read more

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I mean, there is a reason this place has two Michelin Stars. It's awesome. Some of the single most amazing tastes I've had. I probably would skip the Peking duck if I went again, however it's worth forking up for the wasabi lobster tail. So, so good. Also, get the Peking duck dumplings. Beef was a great main as well. Great atmosphere, felt so relaxed after the nice long meal. If you have some extra money to eat with, or you are rich, eat here. read more

Great service; casual elegance; and pricey, of course. Some dishes are just outstanding (perch, langoustine). Others are good to above average. Food presentation is well done. Would return. read more

Had lunch with my husband there and went for the three course meal. Food was delicious and the service was excellent. The amuse bouches were great! If anyone is questioning whether they should pay the supplement on any meal, I think the Wasabi Langoustine was worth it. The sous vide salmon was moist and tasty. The quince, macadamia nougat, and passion fruit was sweet with a little tartness. They also gave you a dessert on the house that was probably the best dessert I've eaten! read more

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We dined here last June. The first of 4 multi Michelin star restaurants we dined at in 4 days. Tim Raue was much better than expected. One of the best 2 star restaurants we experienced. We had recommended this place to several people and were pleased to see that Tim Raue was ranked #78 in the world recently. Congratulations. Our dining experience was superb. There were 3 of us and we all ordered different Prix fixe menus. Our son is a vegetarian and they had a fabulous vegetarian course for him. We tried some of it and the creativity, presentation and flavors were amazing. When we are back in Berlin, we will definitely be back here. read more

Meh. It tastes like nothing. Not sharp enough. It tastes like diet food.

Traditional Chinese food with some modern twists. Presentation is decent. Service was good. A lot of variations in terms of the flavor and the 4 course meal was well worth the price. Not sure about if the 6 course justifies the premium though. Only major complaint is the duck which was cooked too western like and below my bar, although the bar for Chinese in terms of roasted duck is really high. Just don't call it Peking duck anymore... Perch and scallop were of very good quality and tasted fine but somehow lost some flavor unique to fresh seafood - probably due to excessive pre-processing. Should be fine for people not used to fresh/live seafood though. read more

the food is very interesting, interesting combination of Asian flavours although not always successful. the dim sum are wonderful and the ambient and service are perfect. One problem is the size of the portions way to tiny considering that no bread is served. we left the restaurant still a little hungry, after paying for the lunch 200EUR (with a bottle of wine) for a couple. read more

Culinary adventure on what appeared to be Asian fusion food but in fact a truly German cuisine. The food blended French technique with Chinese cooking philosophy while utilizing Japanese and Thai flavors. But the body and the soul of the meal is no doubt German, interpreted in Chef Raue's own way. It was an intellectually challenging dinner, unlike many of the boring Michelin 3 star restaurants. The langoustine was out-of-the-world delicious. Service is welcoming and professional. read more

Excellent food - not really excellent staff considering the price range. One could see the staff coming out of the kitchen furiously, even being nasty to fellow colleagues, and suddenly putting on a really fake smile when arriving at the table. The staff's behaviour made me feel uncomfortable, especially when I compare it to the Michelin restaurant "Reinstoff" around the corner, where the staff were authentic, humorous and friendly. read more

Given the buzz - in Berlin and elsewhere - I was very excited to dine at Tim Raue. The disappointment began almost immediately (one might say that expectation is all or almost all, so I should have tempered my excitement upon entering the restaurant?). My seat faced a large canvas of trash bags (my request to shift didn't go anywhere though there were empty tables at the end of the evening). Perhaps I am not hip enough and too old, but the buzz of young waiters attired in black, wearing Keds, gave at best a sense that one was in a highly self-regarding contemporary art gallery in a global city. The cubicle-like banquette was not all that comfortable. Never mind: I came to eat, not to luxuriate in a plush environment or to see a well-dressed (again, apologies for my conventional taste) women and men as servers. I ordered an eight-course tasting menu (my companion went with the 'signature' tasting menu with the presumably 'signature' wine tasting). Amuse-bouches were Tim Raue's variations on little dishes one gets at Chinese restaurants. They were pleasant - and piquant - enough, though each of the six or so tiny dishes were flavored too bluntly for my taste (most annoyingly, over-salted). The wine pairing commenced with the first dish ('imperial caviar'). The sommelier brought out Dom Macle (a Jura wine). Pardon my conventional thinking but I'd have expected a glass of champagne (preferably crisp and unoxidized - I realize that the restaurant cannot afford to serve Krug so perhaps Taittinger?) or perhaps even vodka. Surprised by his choice, I asked what he was thinking about the particular wine pairing. He stammered a few inaudible words and left. I like Macle (and many Jura) wines but - while good on its own - its alchemy with the caviar dish was puzzling at best. Shrugging my shoulders, I was happy to give the benefit of my doubt. The second course, 'white asparagus' was unfortunately poorly prepared. Limp and fibrous (it's toward the end of the Spargelzeit or the asparagus season even in northern Germany), the imperfect dish was accompanied by a Sancerre. To be sure, it was from an excellent producer, Pascal Cotat, and asparagus can go well with sauvignon blanc. The problem was more that when I asked why he picked this wine, the sommelier couldn't really say much of anything. Not a word about why Pascal and not his brother François. Not why Sancerre rather than other regions' sauvignon blanc. Or why not Grüner Veltliner or Alsatian Riesling or whatever. Rather than piling more examples, I will just summarize. Tim Raue is probably a great chef (one of his signature dishes that my companion ate - a langoustine dish - was superb). However, coming from the land of Asian-inspired French cooking - the San Francisco Bay Area - Tim Raue's 'fusion' can be great when he checks 'Asian' flavors (such as soy sauce or wasabi), as in the langoustine dish, but well-nigh unpleasant when he uses them bluntly. It struck me as a poor imitation of imperial Chinese cuisine but with multiple portions of whatever flavors are used. It is no match, for example, with Benu or any number of restaurants in my home town. The sommelier's choices for the 'signature' tasting menu seemed generally excellent so I am not sure if he didn't spend any time thinking through for my tasting course. More troubling to me, however, is his unwillingness to articulate his reasons for choosing a particular wine to go with a particular dish. It's possible that his English is poor, but when he switched to German he wasn't much better. When asked about the Bordeaux white he selected for Hamachi, all he could say was that the candied-fruit flavor went well with the 'jade sauce' for the fish (the fish, incidentally, was overcooked - surely a bad sign in a high-end restaurant). There was not a single pairing that was inspired and not a single time he (or other servers) gave any information that went beyond the label and Hugh Johnson's compact guide. The new 'international style,' i thought, valorized local and regional produce (and wine). I didn't really see much of anything that would satisfy a locavore in food or wine (not a single German or even Austrian Riesling). The final dish probably said it all: Thompson grapes in a meringue made of calpico (Japanese sugary drink reminiscent of lassi). Edible. Finally, before the final dish the waiter came and took away my specially-printed menu and said that the penultimate dish wouldn't be coming. I can see that anyone can make a mistake but did he have to tell me right before the dish was about to show up? I can only hope that the restaurant had an off night but I suspect that it is coasting on its past achievements. If there are defenders, then I'd suggest that they take a trip to San Francisco (Benu) to learn what a truly fabulous Asian-inspired fusion cuisine might taste like. In short, Tim Raue is a disappointment. June 2016. read more

this place rocked from the service to food and everything else. my favorite was pike perch with its own theatrical smoke machine (liquid nitrogen probably) and foie gras that came as a part of "peking duck." (12 more euros) Complimentary pickles were so delicious I wanted some white rice to go with them but alas they don't serve rice. Not cheap but still a bargain for such experience. read more