Germany is a country known for its beer, football, precision engineering and really tall people. But there is more to Germany than what meets the eyes. A rich cultural heritage paired with modern influence has resulted in a diverse European landscape. In the next few posts, I re-visit the sights and feeds that made me love this systematic country.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________After yesterday’s less than perfect dinner I was looking forward to lunch. Fortunately my mate Charmaine had some research done. Today’s lunch was at a Berlin pub called Zur Letzten Instanz. For over a century, this restaurant has attracted demanding eaters and some even said the likes of Charlie Chaplin have visited this classic diner. But is the age of the restaurant a testament to the quality of food it serves? I guess its something I was here to find out.
Grilled Pork Knuckle, red cabbage, and potato dumplings
I had a bit of this and if there was something I wanted to have at Hackethal the night before, it was this. A gloriously crisped pork knuckle that just leaves you craving for more. Every bite was crunchy and with the stewed cabbage, it was a sensational pork dish. For the beer lovers, look forward to the crispy -salty crackling as it is the best I have had.
Homemade Meatball, sautéed vegetables and fried potatoes
This dish was my random shot at trying to be different. It brings me away from the typical German stereotype of sausages and pork knuckles. And for me, it was a gamble that paid off. Who would have thought that the Germans did meatball that rivals those of the Swedes?! The meatball was flavoured sensationally and having the sweet sautéed vegetables as a pairing kept the sodium levels contained. And for carbohydrates, I could have not been more pleased with the potatoes presented before me. It was superb!
Veal liver, shallots, caramelised apple, sautéed vegetables
The thought of a liver main course would send shudders through the nerves of most. But with my colleague ever so keen with the “I’ll have whatever you recommend” move, a meal of liver came without anyone on the table even noticing. Surprise surprise, the veal’s liver was super meaty with no stench whatsoever. In fact, it tastes like a braised steak! Very delicious especially when you have the sweetness of the apples!
The century old gastropub Zur Letzten Instanz is almost a no-brainer if you are in Berlin looking for a quality grub. The food is good, its interior rustic and even its service was decent for a busy gastropub. All dishes really hit the sweet spot for me but if I had to choose what I found most impressive on the table, it would be the Pork Knuckle and the Veal Liver. Why not the dish of meatball you might ask? Well one of the meatball dishes came without any vegetables and it was then I realise it was really salty! Definitely a memorable meal.
WenY
