OLIV´S-VIER JAHRESZEITEN – Starnberg – international

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Last weekend, on Saturday, my companion and I had dinner at Oliv's Restaurant in Starnberg – part of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. The restaurant was kindly recommended to me, but unfortunately I can't remember who recommended it – so many thanks to the person who gave me the tip!

Before our visit, I reserved a table by phone and ended up – as the restaurant itself was still closed – directly at the Hotel 4 Jahreszeiten where I was politely asked for my details – the reservation was only made 24 hours before the meal and it wasn't particularly crowded on the day of our visit, so you can also dine there at relatively short notice.

We drove for about 30 minutes on Saturday evening – public transport isn't really fun, or even possible – to the restaurant, parked in the parking lot directly in front of the hotel – the hotel's underground parking costs non-guests about as much as a main course 😉 – and then walked in the wrong direction to the restaurant entrance. 😉 There's a second restaurant (the Aubergine gourmet restaurant) which has its own entrance. Oliv's is only accessible through the hotel's main entrance, where they wait for you and a friendly hostess shows you to your table. A couple pushed in front of us, even though we were the only ones waiting for the hostess, but that's not the restaurant's fault.

Our table was right by the window, at the front of the restaurant and hotel, cozy in a corner with a good view of the entire place. We were shown to a small round table with four white leather chairs, nicely set with a cream-colored tablecloth, a single flower in a glass, and candlesticks. There are about 17 tables in the restaurant. When we arrived, about five other tables were occupied – each with eight to ten smartly dressed people. We were initially the only couples seated there. We were asked beforehand if we wanted to leave our coats, and I fatally took my scarf with me to the table – which I later forgot when leaving. I was kindly notified of this on my phone – almost back in Munich already. So we ended up making the trip twice. 😉

The menus were brought to us immediately after we were seated – red-bound with white lettering. The menu isn't particularly extensive and offers little variety for vegetarians, for example. It includes a few appetizers, main courses, two desserts, and a set dinner menu. The numerous drinks are presented in a separate, rather comprehensive drinks menu. Appetizers included, for example, a large mixed green salad in a lemon-honey dressing with gratinated goat cheese for €9.50, a Caesar salad with Parmesan and herb croutons with pan-fried chicken breast strips for €13.50, or beef carpaccio with arugula salad, Parmesan, and white onion marmalade for €14.50. Alternatively, one of the two soups was available as a starter: beef consommé with cheese dumplings for €6.50 or truffled potato and leek cream soup with herb croutons for €7.

I opted for the potato and leek cream soup as a starter and the goat cheese salad as a main course. The soup was divine, the salad rather small and the dressing too bitter. While the small, halved goat cheese made it palatable, it wasn't a highlight. My companion chose the aforementioned set menu (starter: smoked Starnberg Lake whitefish with herb foam and mixed green salad in balsamic dressing; main course: saltimbocca of corn-fed chicken with basil foam, seasonal vegetables, and creamy risoni pasta; dessert: vanilla crème brûlée with berry compote and chocolate ice cream) for a total of €26, which was reasonably priced. Everything was also delicious, and there was nothing to complain about. The risoni pasta was even excellent – and with the generous dessert, we left feeling very full. Since I'm not a fan of creamy desserts (here, it would have been vanilla crème brûlée with berry compote and chocolate ice cream, or nougat parfait in a Baumkuchen shell with sour cherries for €7 and €6.50 respectively), I asked the kitchen for something with a bit of bite, and I received a very delicious apple pie for a hefty €7 for dessert. While it tasted very good, at that price, there shouldn't be any room for complaint. 😉

Alternatively, there are a few main courses available, as well as a snack menu with items ranging from €9.50 to €14.50. Take a look at the complete menu. Menu It's best to do it yourself.

The ambiance at Oliv's is very warm and welcoming, enhanced by the dark blue carpeting, the white leather banquettes at the occasional dining tables, the dark-framed mirrors, the abundance of white, the numerous small, carefully placed lighting accents combined with the dark wood, the ample space between the predominantly round, enormous tables, and the discreet yet always attentive staff, creating a very cozy and harmonious atmosphere. The only downside was the somewhat long wait for the food. Our drinks (still mineral water and Hugo) arrived promptly, along with a bread basket and buttered pastries, but the food took so long that the waitress came over, apologized, and assured us the kitchen hadn't forgotten us. All in all, it's more of a place to linger, enjoy, and relax. Probably not the best choice if you're looking for a quick meal, a fast start, and a low price. 😉 Give it a try – it's perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or similar events.

We paid €72 by card, and I was pleased to receive a follow-up call due to my forgetfulness and to get my scarf back. While not cheap, considering the atmosphere of the entire evening, the staff, and the quite good food in the lovely hotel, it was well worth the money.

I'll be back: Definitely for a special occasion, for example. Even if it's a bit of a drive.

Place visited: Oliv's Restaurant
Address: Münchnerstraße 17, 82319 Starnberg
Website

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