The chic AV Restaurant is located just off the hectic Eberswalder Strasse. At the time of writing (December 2023) it offered an Autumn tasting menu (4 courses) and larger full tasting menu (6 courses). A curated selection of accompanying wines is also available. Prices are mid-level for a fine dining experience.
Note: Wording on their website indicates they might be moving...
courtesy Freya Choi
First impressions
It was a cold Winter's night when I visited the AV restaurant. As noted above, it is currently situated at an extremely busy transport hub. Interestingly the restaurant shares the same block as those exemplars of the Berlin fast food scene Risa Chicken and Burgermeister. Somehow this seems appropriate to me, a nice reminder that Berlin is a city where both popular and fine dining can coexist... for now at least...
The AV restaurant's entrance is rather subdued, but the small neon signage suggestions something is going on inside... Could this be a cocktail bar? A private club? Or a night club for that matter?
Venture inside and you are greeted by a welcoming long bar. I believe it is possible to dine at the bar, but I'd suggest this area is better set up for relaxed post-work cocktails with colleagues and friends.
The friendly bartender, who also serves the restaurant, greeted me and showed me to my table.
The interior is quite minimalist, but there are some tasteful artworks and a few decorative touches to create a warm atmosphere. The lighting is subtle, prefect for Winter dining...
While waiting for my regular fining dining companion (Freya Choi) to appear, I review the menu looking for something to drink.
Drinks options
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the drinks menu included some intriguing craft beer options. I find beer is often neglected at fine dining restaurants.
Sadly many high end restaurants offer beer options not too different from what you'd find in supermarket or corner shop. I don't mean that in a snobby way, what could be better than a crisp Becks or Jever or a hot summer's night for instance? But it would be nice to try something new when it comes to beer.
However, when it comes to beer the AV Restaurant does not disappoint. Initially I chose their pilsner in lieu of a complementary champagne. Brewed locally, I found it refreshing.
Jumping ahead here a bit, later in the meal I sampled a lambic sourced form a Czech brewer.
What prompted this switch? well believe it or not it was the wine.
I opted to go for the wine paring with the Autumn tasking menu - yes I'm getting to that. It consisted of two Roses and a red, 100ml servings each. The Roses, unusually - at least for my limited pallet - had a distinct yeasty flavour that reminded me a lambic. I'd never sampled wine with this flavour before. Both Roses were extremely tasty, but worth baring in mind I am a fan of lambic. If this is a flavour your not sure about, might be worth ordering by the glass instead.
The red was flavourful and pleasantly light. But back to Czech lambic, definitely worth sampling, the Belgians should be worried....
I rounded the meal off with a Negroni cocktail. Actually, one of the tastiest I've sample. And the presentation was first rate.
The food
And what of the food? Well as mentioned I opted for the set Autumn tasting menu, which consisted of four dishes. I believe there is a larger set menu also available but ordering a la carte is not possible.
The first course was a modified pomegranate dish. I enjoyed this one, even though I'm not typically a fan of pomegranate. Freya commented on the texture, which waiter/bar tender mentioned required quite a bit of work from the chef to achieve.
Courtesy of Freya Choi
The second course was the standout to me. A smoked fish. The smokey salty flavour was really incredible.
Courtesy of Freya Choi
Third up was duck pared with orange. Perhaps a traditional option, but once again well execute and tasty.
Courtesy of Freya Choi
Finally we had a mascarpone with pear. Again, great flavour, texture, well done.
Courtesy of Freya Choi
The presentation throughout was excellent.
Final thoughts
Definitely worth checking out if you want a relaxed and sophisticated dining experience. Pleasant atmosphere, not overly loud in the dining area.
I'd be intrigued to come back another day to just sample some cocktails at the bar. Could be a good start an evening
Use of images
Tagged images are courtsey of Freya Choi, please contact her for permission for further use
See link for images from William Samuel McDonald
Review of AV Restaurant by Wiiliam Samuel McDonald is licensed under Attribution 4.0 International
