Kitchen Library Brilliant Cuisine in Charlottenburgrg

On our first visit to Kitchen Library on Bleibtreustraße a good year ago, we were absolutely smitten- not only with the creative, lovingly served dishes, but with the fact that the restaurant is run by a team of two that takes care of both the kitchen and the service on their own- and with such charm and dignity that you feel completely at home.

How a one-man show can reach such standards in the kitchen will forever be a mystery for us. Udo Knörlein is thereby extremely creative, unifying exciting components on plates to create harmonious ensembles. Daniela Meyer’s service is so natural and obliging, it’s a true pleasure to experience.

Little has been changed of the old, typical West Berlin interior left by their predecessors. A growing number of bookcases, filled exclusively with cookbooks, are meant to dominate the ambience. It’s cosy, inside and out, where you can sit under a marquise that provides cover from even the worst storms, leaving you free to fully enjoy the culinary delights.

Daniela Meyer brings us gluten-free bread and, due to a lactose intolerance, serves in place of cremes a cucumber soup dressed with fermented cucumber, steamed spring onions, mini mushrooms, bacon shavings, and cauliflower. A slick move with the individual components and a felicitous start to the summer menu. We’re totally hooked!

A cold cauliflower-coconut soup with lavender whipped cream and crushed almonds leaves an equally good impression with my companion as my appetiser of “Scallop & Durroc Pork Belly” with pineapple chutney, finely cut mange tout, sesame, and cuttlefish mayonnaise does with me. Another hit!

The streak continues with our mains: a black halibut filet cooked to perfection with pea creme and peas, rhubarb chutney, white wine sauce, and a phenomenal small tomato cake. I’m not usually a fan of such small-scale cuisine, but Udo Knörrlein pulls it off wonderfully.

The dessert also leaves us swooning. The vegan chocolate cake with granny smith parfait and coconut powder is simply stunning. And at Kitchen Library, what sounds pretentious is delivered with complete ease and humility. An uncomplicated place with fantastic food. Definitely check it out!