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Appetizer: Bavarian Rolls
Westend Steak & Fish Factory | The "Westend Steak & Fish Factory" is located in the Westend district, more precisely in the Sheraton Munich Westpark Hotel, and opened at the end of October. My companion and I visited the restaurant right after its opening on October 21, 2016, and I have to say: Wow! Why am I so enthusiastic? Firstly, because I'm asked almost daily by readers for my tips on good meat and fish in Munich, and secondly, because the concept of this new opening is unique and innovative.
The Westend Factory from the inside
The concept of the Westend Steak & Fish Factory
First of all: Why "Westend Factory"? With the name and the associated concept, the restaurant's owners want to evoke the Westend district, formerly known as a working-class neighborhood, and its origins. Hence the "Factory" – the area was once characterized by heavy industry and labor. The root of the name and the idea is also evident in the stylish restaurant's decor, which deliberately resembles a factory. The unique aspect of this restaurant is undoubtedly its concept. Everything ordered is placed in the center of the table, and everyone can help themselves. You don't order individual dishes for yourself; instead, you order for everyone at the table. The Westend Steak & Fish Factory is most enjoyable when you grab your loved one(s), order a few appetizers and main courses, and enjoy them together.
The ingredients for each dish at Westend Steak & Fish Factory are sourced as regionally as possible. For example, the fish comes from the Franz Weindl fishery in Schongau on the Lech River, while the meat is sourced from Karlshof in Ismaning or Hofgut Schwaige in Munich (Dry-Aged New York Cut, approximately 800 grams). The drinks menu also emphasizes regional sourcing, offering, for instance, "Kracherl" (a type of soft drink) from Lake Starnberg in various flavors or pure apple juice from Holzerhof in Ismaning. A fantastic selection of 25-35 wines from Germany, Northern Italy, and Austria is also available. The most expensive bottle is a 2011 Fontanafredda, Barolo Serralunga d'Alba from Piedmont, priced at €42.
The menu
The menu is deliberately concise and easy to navigate. At the Westend Steak & Fish Factory, in addition to the regional sourcing of consistently high-quality ingredients, one thing is paramount: simple, down-to-earth, and authentic cuisine for the guests. Certain ingredients are only available in limited quantities or seasonally, meaning that each dish will only be available for a short time. The Factory's specialty: meat and fish. The menu changes regularly depending on the availability and seasonality of the ingredients. The kitchen team, led by experienced head chef Sven Segler, is constantly creating new dishes and ensuring the menu items are varied and ever-changing. A children's menu and vegetarian options are also available.
Entrecôte on average
Food offerings and evaluation
So, it was my turn to put the Westend Steak & Fish Factory to the test. We were served several appetizers, main courses, a dessert, and excellent wines. Once you're seated at one of the cozy tables and your drink orders have been taken, you're served a freshly baked bread with homemade dip on a sturdy wooden board. Ours was a hearty rye bread and a cream cheese and beetroot dip with cress. Then came the numerous small and varied appetizers. While waiting for these, we were served a crisp and sparkling Riesling from Markus Molitor as an aperitif. If you enjoy bubbles and high-quality sparkling wine, this was certainly a great way to start the evening. The appetizers are also served on a sharing basis, with everything placed in the center of the table. For us, it was a fantastic selection.
My companion and I ordered the "Pumpkin Shot" with pumpkin seed oil and bread cubes (€6), the visually sushi-like "Bavarian Roll" with pretzel dumplings, horseradish, heirloom carrots, and beer-soda (€7), the "Monaco Caesar Salad" with romaine lettuce, pretzels, and mountain cheese (€7), the 24-hour slow-cooked pork belly with salsify and radishes (€9), the "Almochsen Tartare" (€15 or €22, depending on the portion), and the smoked salmon trout from Schongau with beetroot, cress, and pumpernickel (€9). My absolute favorite, and simply divine, was the Bavarian Roll—a flavorful mix of freshness, crunch, taste, and seasoning. Truly fantastic and a must-try on your visit. The elegantly presented tartare was also excellent. You either love tartare or you don't. If the former is true, the Almochse (Alpine ox) from the menu should serve you well. The Caesar salad continued the excellent course. Its dressing, as well as the flavor of its individual components, was simply superb, and the pretzel and mountain cheese made it refreshingly different and reinterpreted. We simply couldn't leave anything behind from this appetizer round, and so after a good 30 minutes, numerous empty plates were returned to the kitchen.
The wild berry sorbet
After a small intermezzo – a very flavorful and, of course, homemade wild berry sorbet served in a pot – we continued with various main courses: fish, meat, two different sauces, vegetables, and salad. More precisely, we had a meat platter served on a wooden board featuring three different meats: veal entrecôte from Münsterland (€26), "Porki" dry-aged pork chop (€29), and ox roast beef from Gut Karlshof in Ismaning (€33) with homemade demi-glace. This was served separately with char from Schongau (€24) and homemade mustard sauce. A large bowl of freshly dressed salad and a pot of fresh vegetables and potatoes accompanied the meal. This is standard practice at the Westend Steak & Fish Factory: all main courses come with freshly prepared side dishes and salad. You should definitely take a closer look at the vegetables and savor their flavor. Here you'll find, for example, the rare vegetable variety "Bimi"—a cross between broccoli and asparagus. The meal concluded with a wonderful dessert. The Factory always offers two different ones: one cheese and one sheet cake, depending on the season. We were served a combination of pear and plum crumble with zabaglione on shortcrust pastry, served in a small pot.
The char
The meat and fish deserve a separate review. I started with the entrecôte from Münsterland, using a sharp knife, and even the first cut told me what was in store: meat par excellence. Tender, seared to perfection, and melt-in-your-mouth soft. For a brief moment, I cursed the sharing principle. 😉 The pork chop and roast beef were also incredible! I've added photos after the first cut. A picture is worth a thousand words. The fish was also incredibly fresh. I have to admit, I initially forgot about it because of the amazing meat, but then I tried a piece with the mustard sauce. It couldn't be fresher or more tender. My companion, on the other hand, was so taken with the homemade demi-glace that it even "accidentally" ended up on the fish. 😉 From a culinary perspective, we were definitely in heaven that evening.
Ambiance and service
The restaurant, inspired by the name and history of the Westend district, is designed like a factory. Bare walls, pleasant earthy and gray tones, and a clever combination of simplicity and design. The concept and history of the location and the restaurant are reflected in many small details. For example, the aforementioned Bavarian rolls were served on a miniature Euro pallet (see photo), and a consistent theme was evident in many other details as well. I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in. The dim and cozy lighting, the tables not being too close together, and the atmosphere were pleasant.
homemade bread with dip
The service is also competent and attentive. They're never too busy at the table or away from the table for too long, so you don't have to wait for anything. During the meal, everything was explained to us in a friendly manner, and questions about the wines, the origin of the ingredients, and much more were answered. (Speaking of wines: Be sure to take a look at the wine list and ask for recommendations on how to best complement each dish. Of course, they also serve wine by the glass!) What I also really appreciated during my visit was that the owner frequently checked in with the guests at their tables, asked if everything was alright, and was happy to chat for a bit. He was relaxed and very easygoing. And I also made sure to shake hands with Saskia Rittmann, the apprentice who was just 20 years old, and who had prepared the highly praised meat so excellently and to perfection. I certainly couldn't have done that at 20 (…and 30… ;-)).
The dessert
Key facts and personal conclusion
I'll be back. If you want to know for sure, I'll be there this week. It's already reserved for me and a friend. I've rarely eaten such good meat, nor have I felt so personally looked after and so comfortable as at the Westend Steak & Fish Factory. For me, it's the ideal place for meat lovers, fish enthusiasts, and those who enjoy a good glass of wine in the evening. Definitely add this place to your to-do list. The cuisine is creative and varied, and the service is warm and welcoming.
The restaurant is open from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, with hot food served until 10:00 PM. Reservations are recommended and can be made even at short notice. The restaurant offers seating for 75 people inside at approximately 20 tables (depending on their placement) and 30 more guests on the cozy terrace. Parking shouldn't be a problem, as the restaurant is just a stone's throw from the "Heimeranplatz" U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus stops. Once a month, a local microbrewery is featured, and you can try new beers – currently, for example, the brewery at the Eiswerk ("Joseph Spezial" with a light smoky note, strong malt character, and pleasant roasted aromas | 0.33l for €6.90). Wine evenings are also held regularly. You can find information about these, for example, on the [website/social media platform - context needed]. Facebook page of Westend Steak & Fish Factory. The mascot, by the way – which is also part of the logo and half cow, half fish – is named Willi and can be spotted in various places around the Factory. Why not drop by sometime soon and see for yourself? I highly recommend a visit.
Place visited: Westend Factory – Steak & Fish
Address: Garmischer Straße 2, 80339 Munich
Website
Pictures:
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