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The dessert, or rather the 7th course of the menu, and my favorite.

Showroom Michelin-starred restaurant in the Au As you know, I eat out a lot, enjoy it immensely, and generally feel more comfortable in restaurants than in my own living room, not to mention my own kitchen. Nevertheless, there are always evenings, visits, and culinary experiences that leave a particularly lasting impression. Recently, I was fortunate enough to take that feeling home with me once again. I spent a wonderful evening at the newly renovated Michelin-starred restaurant "Showroom," which was taken over and renovated by Dominik Käppeler on January 1, 2017 – formerly Schweiger², run by Andi Schweiger. Schweiger had been cooking there for some time, and now his own name is also on the doorbell. The restaurant is Munich's smallest Michelin-starred establishment and completely different from what one might expect. Different and enchanting – in every sense of the word – but let me explain.

Michelin-starred restaurant showroom: What can you expect?

The Michelin-starred restaurant Showroom truly lives up to its name. From the friendly handshake at the door for every guest, to the relaxed yet professional service throughout the meal, to the culinary creations on the plates, it's a truly unique experience. You don't dine in such an upscale restaurant every day, and certainly not in one like Showroom. To put it simply: I could have happily stayed and stayed and stayed, even long after my plates and glasses were empty. Simply because of the atmosphere and the feeling of well-being. A quick word about the location itself, before we get to the culinary details: The ambiance is fantastic. After an initial "Wow!" of surprise, you immediately feel at ease. Showroom is small, chic, and inviting. Tables are, of course, set in advance, with subtle lighting, soft background music, and smartly dressed service from the sommelier and restaurant manager (thanks also to Florian Herbst!) to the table service (thanks to Martin Sohl, David Schaubruch, and the entire team!). A perfectly harmonious concept with soft colors and meticulously thought-out details awaits you here. The showroom has 11 tables for 25 people, which are assigned in the evening – always in different locations, depending on the request and the number of people in each group. After a look into the kitchen and a walk through the restaurant, I got a cozy table for two by the window and off we went.

Showroom Sternerestaurant Au Das Restaurant

The restaurant from the inside

Menu, wines and service

„"The menu, please." That's not how it works at the Michelin-starred Showroom restaurant. Nor is there a talking menu where the server tells you what to expect at the beginning. No, it's quite different. At Showroom, they offer a five- to seven-course surprise menu. Exclusively. À la carte isn't offered, nor is a quick glance at the menu beforehand. And that's a good thing. You're simply asked what you don't eat (vegetarians, for example) or what you might have an intolerance to, and then the meal begins. Five courses cost €115, six courses €125, and the most extensive seven-course menu €135. Now that I know, I can only tell you: Trust me, it's worth it! My companion and I enjoyed the seven-course menu and were absolutely blown away. Whether you want to enjoy the menu as a tasting menu is, of course, entirely up to you. Usually, around 801 TP3T do this, and during my visit, there were hardly any tables without a wine glass in hand. The wine list boasts over 300 different selections, and each course is paired with a suitable wine. A 0.1l glass of wine per course costs €12, so the wine pairing costs €84 for seven courses. The focus is on German wines, but individual selections from across Europe are also available. Naturally, recommendations are gladly offered upon request, but ultimately, you decide what you like. However, you'll certainly have the most fun in the showroom if you simply let the evening unfold naturally and don't make any decisions yourself. That's nice for a change, isn't it?

The first course – unsurpassed in creativity

Now, let's talk about the menu. It changes every two weeks, and from amuse-bouche number one to amuse-bouche number two, all the way to the main course and dessert, you'll be served only the very best. The presentation is creative and varied. Sometimes it's served in a small bowl, sometimes classically on a plate, or even in a "mini greenhouse." It's best to click through the image gallery to get an impression. I'm afraid I have to disappoint you if you're so hungry you're hoping for this exact menu, because it's already changing again – the menu changes every two weeks. But to give you a good idea, here's the sample menu I had, exclusively for you:

Amuse I: Small puff pastry pillows with avocado, cheddar and quince
Amuse II: Small spheres of sour cream, char and pepper (molecular gastronomy)
Amuse III: Eel, banana, Stilton and mustard
Gang I: Lake trout, carrot, salsify, parsley and hemp | Wine recommendation: 2010 Riesling Hölle, Weingut Künstler, Rheingau
Gang II: Duck, red cabbage, onion, cucumber and hazelnut | Wine recommendation: 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Joseph, Potzinger Winery, Southern Styria
Gang III: Turbot, lemon, Brussels sprouts and oyster | Wine recommendation: 2010 Chardonnay Gaja&Ray, Gaja Winery, Piedmont
Gang IV: Iberico ham, plum, chocolate, black pudding and cauliflower | Wine recommendation: 2009 Blaufränkisch, Weingut Moric, Burgenland
Aisle V: Wagyu beef shoulder, coffee, passion fruit and beetroot | Wine recommendation: 2010 Bricco dell Uccellone, Braida winery, Piedmont
Aisle VI: Cottage cheese, capers, vanilla and parsley | Wine recommendation: 2014 Gewürztraminer, Weingut Odinstal, Pfalz
Aisle VII: Pear, sage, yogurt, rhubarb and brown butter | Wine recommendation: 2013 Riesling Pettenthal Spätlese, Weingut Schätzel, Rheinhessen

The third course of the menu: turbot, lemon, Brussels sprouts and oyster

…and how did it taste?

Does that sound good, or does that sound good? It was heavenly, I tell you. My favorite, besides the second amuse-bouche, was definitely the first course, whose plating was simply unparalleled in its creativity, featuring lake trout and salsify, as well as the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef shoulder. The saying "Last but not least!" was also true, because I would have happily ordered the dessert several times over, complete with walnut liqueur to finish. All the courses of the menu share one thing in common: they only unfold their true breadth and the full spectrum of flavors when tasted together in the mouth. What might taste simply like chocolate on its own, for example, tastes completely different and new to the palate when combined with the other components. This is one of the restaurant's distinctive features. Of course, the high quality of the individual ingredients, which are sourced as locally as possible, also contributes to this.

Hard facts

The Michelin-starred restaurant Showroom is open Monday to Friday from 6:00 PM. They exclusively serve surprise menus. Parking nearby can take some time, but the S-Bahn (Isartor or Rosenheimer Platz stations) will get you there by public transport. It's also worth noting that the Showroom is the ideal size for events with a maximum of 25-30 people. When booking, for example, you won't have to share with other guests; you can reserve the entire venue for your event, corporate function, or celebration. For inquiries, reservations (always make a reservation!), and other information, please call +49 89 444 290 82. Card payments are accepted, and dogs are welcome.

Showroom Sternerestaurant Au Bianca Murthy

I like it!

Personal conclusion

Showroom hits the nail on the head. You absolutely have to check it out! Obviously, you can't afford a visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant every day. Some people might not be able to at all, or only on special occasions. But if you have the opportunity and are asked, for example, "Where would you like to eat? Anywhere, I'll treat you!", then think of the Showroom restaurant. 😉 The value for money is absolutely fantastic, and I would be very surprised if you left the restaurant disappointed, or not satisfied, or anything like that. That happens all too often, and then what should have been a wonderful evening quickly turns into a disappointment. Not so at Showroom. Everyone on the team is incredibly friendly, relaxed, and welcoming. You don't feel too formal at your table, nor do you feel like you have to pretend just because it's a Michelin-starred restaurant. They are also happy to answer any questions you may have about the ingredients, dishes, and wines. Unfortunately, I often find myself in upscale restaurants: a stiff atmosphere, joyless faces, stiff bodies, and just not a relaxed evening at all. This place was completely different. An open team, a relaxed atmosphere, and yet excellent – truly excellent – cuisine. The courses are attractively and appetizingly presented and, of course, explained at the table. Each course tastes unique and combines its individual components in an exciting and decidedly original way. Dominik Käppeler himself regularly brings individual courses to the table, introduces himself beforehand, and shows his concern for his guests' well-being. I thoroughly enjoyed dining in the showroom. Not primarily for the food itself, but because the entire experience is crucial on a visit like this. After getting up and leaving the restaurant, I would have happily chatted with every single member of the team and felt happy, satisfied, and completely at ease. Therefore, I would like to encourage you to visit the Showroom restaurant to ensure you take home a truly special experience – simply different, the amazing Michelin-starred Showroom restaurant.

Details:
Tested: Showroom – Michelin-starred restaurant in the Au
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 6:30 pm (closed Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and Christmas/New Year)
Address: Lilienstraße 6, 81669 Munich
Website

Pictures: