Great food can raise your city’s profile
In previous years, I took the time to watch the ceremony which is always broadcast live and I make mental notes to visit some of the places awarded (I never have so far). London and Berlin have made it to the list and I am planning to visit both cities this year so I might be able to grab a table.
The list is a nice mix of different countries and type of cuisines with Central in Lima taking top spot this year – one space up from last year. Geranium in Copenhagen won the top prize last year but didn’t make the list this year and you might think, they have disappeared – but no, Geranium has been awarded Best of the Best Hall of Fame, joining other restaurants like Noma, Osteria Francescana, The Fat Duck, El Bulli and The French Laundry.
Do we really need a 50 Best of Restaurants? I think we do, especially if food is one of your reasons to travel – food tourism is alive and kicking and being on the list of Pellegrino definitely raises the profile not only of the awarded restaurant but also the city/town the eatery is located in.
The first UK entry comes in at 23 with Kol in London (other London winners are Ikoyi at 35 and The Clove Club at 38). Berlin is represented by Restaurant Tim Raue at number 40 and Nobelhart & Schmutzig at 45. Checking out Raue, I learned that his menu is Asian inspired and the he doesn’t use refined sugar (nothing wrong with that), no dairy products (my heart is crying) and gluten (makes life easier in the kitchen I guess).
On first look, not something I would chose but looking at the actual menu, I like the idea of wasabi langoustine or hake with miso and mandarin. I haven’t booked my flight to Berlin yet but I normally head over early December to meet up with my brother to celebrate his birthday.
Reading up on Nobelhart & Schmutzig, I have to admit that I like the idea of ‘vocally local’ where the team is dedicated to only use ingredients from the greater Berlin region (which is rather large I have to say).
I first thought that the name of the restaurant is the name of the two owners but apparently, it’s a ‘spiel’ on the word noble (means the same in English), hart as in hard and uncompromising and schmutzig is translated into dirty or filthy (apparently not based on the cleanness of the place but the naughty sense of humour of one of the owners).
Checking out the menu, it doesn’t give much information other than venison/beetroot or potato/wild garlic. The tasting menu during the week sets you back €175 for 10 courses but Brita filtered water (yep, that’s on the menu) is included.
I think I will check the menu closer to time of travel to see if I really feel enticed to try what it means to be number 45 on the Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurants.
Insert: Central in Lima in Peru was voted the best in the world. Photo: Central