Lutter & Wegner

German cuisine, so often perceived as naught but sausages and pretzels, is much more varied and inventive. Lutter & Wegner, a German restaurant and wine house founded in 1811 presents an interesting array of dishes both traditionally German and German with a twist.

The restaurant has multiple locations across Germany from Hamburg to Berlin. Lutter & Wegner on Bellevuestasse, Berlin is an exceptionally beautiful restaurant in a prime location. Directly across from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Potsdamer Platz, the restaurant creates a quiet and elegant atmosphere.

In good weather, naturally weathered wooden slat chairs and small tables are positioned on the cobblestone streets. The outdoor dining area is fenced by lovely wooden planters filled with White dahlias and delicate flowers. Light bulbs lie discretely beside the flowers, illuminated at dusk. The waitstaff are very precise and cater to the customer without being overwhelming. Unlike American restaurants, the waitstaff doesn't reappear every five minutes so the meal is never rushed.

 I began with a glass of pinot grigio while I read through the menu. Lutter & Wegner specializes in Schnitzel and Sauerbraten with rotkohl. There is a great variety of traditional German fish and meat dishes as well as fresh salads and soups. I chose the vegetarian option: potato gnocchi with tomatoes and spinach in a creamy ricotta lemon sauce.

Prior to the meal, a wooden bread basket with fresh bread, a creamy herb sauce, and olives arrived. The white bread was soft with a delectable crunchy crust. The rye was a strong compliment to the herb sauce. Soon after, the main course arrived. Brightly colored, fresh, and literally bubbling with energy, the gnocchi lay in a simple white dish.

The sauce was light with a rich creamy texture that slipped down my throat smoothly. The light note of lemon in the sauce deepened in the potato gnocchi, mingling richly with the fresh spinach and small pieces of tomato. To experiment, I dipped the white bread in the cream and discovered a brilliant flavor.

I savored the meal and the wine, mixing tastes and opening my senses. Before I knew it, I had finished my delicious dish and was scooping up the remaining sauce with bread. A final sip of wine and a cleared table later, I sat back to watch the evening fall on Potsdamer Platz. The light bulbs suddenly began to glow, emitting soft light on the white dahlias.

Too full after my feast, I reluctantly passed on the apple strudel with the expressed intention to return again.