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Not too long ago I read about the Upside Down Dinner I've already reported on my experience at The Charles Hotel in Munich and the exquisite menu I enjoyed there. Perhaps some of you have already visited based on my recommendation. As mentioned in that article, the moment I entered the hotel and walked through the restaurant, I knew I wanted to return to try the Davvero restaurant. Davvero is the hotel's restaurant, boasting a spacious and tranquil terrace, and impresses with its creative, Mediterranean-inspired dishes. A few days ago, the time finally came, and my companion and I had a table reserved.
As soon as we entered, just as on my first visit for dinner, a friendly, smiling lady greeted us, took our coats, and showed us to our cozy table for two in the back of the spacious restaurant. It's truly inviting: very high ceilings, a wide view, comfortable leather banquettes, interesting artwork, tables already set, and simply a perfectly harmonious overall impression. Before I go into detail, I'd like to say something: I'm in restaurants almost every day, and lately, quite often in hotels. There, I regularly chat with the staff, restaurant managers, and even guests, and we all agree: you're making a mistake with the unfortunately all-too-common attitude, "I don't eat at hotels." The restaurants there are just as good, if not often better, than "regular" restaurants and offer excellent cuisine. Whether people are staying in their rooms above, next to, or in front of you is irrelevant to the taste. 😉 So, my dears: Away with that unnecessary inner inhibition, because nobody's going to bite you. 😉 The next time you're looking for a good restaurant, remember my words, and even more so, remember Davvero in the Charles Hotel between Königsplatz and the main train station.
As with the Upside Down Dinner, the brilliant Michelin-starred chef Michael Hüsken was in charge of the cooking – many thanks again for the fantastic meal. My companion ordered the four-course menu from the à la carte menu, while I opted for a four-course tasting menu created by Mr. Hüsken himself. I wanted it that way, as was the case at the Upside Down Dinner in October – meaning the menu wasn't known beforehand – and everything tasted absolutely superb. Since I wanted to eat at the same time as my companion, I also chose four courses. Admittedly, it struck me again at Davvero: when I eat something so exquisite for the palate, so beautiful for the eyes, and soothing for the soul, I'm always a little envious that I wasn't born with two such "cooking" hands. However, that wasn't a problem for me that evening, because the exceptionally chic and cozy Davvero restaurant has such a wonderful chef. 😉
As soon as we were seated, we were asked for our drink preferences and offered several aperitifs to start the evening. Since I'm not a fan of overly bitter drinks, I opted for a Hugo, and my companion ordered an Aperol Spritz – both very refreshing, served with a straw, and perfectly mixed. We also received a glass of still and a glass of sparkling water, and then we began choosing our food. The clearly laid-out menu offered a well-balanced selection of dishes, divided into appetizers (€14-19), intermediate courses (€17-22), main courses (€29-38), and desserts and cheeses (€12-15). Delicacies such as goat cheese risotto with pine nuts, oxtail praline with lamb's lettuce pesto, beef fillet with potato and olive oil mash, warm chocolate cake, and quark pancakes are just a few of the many exquisite creations on the menu. Moreover, it changes every four to six weeks, thus regularly showcasing new and varied creations.
The restaurant's autumn menu (€59), specifically the fantastic four-course meal my companion ordered, is also on the menu and sounded simply too good to pass up. Here's an overview for you (to whet your appetite): Gang IScallop | Beetroot | Horseradish | Granny Smith apple, Gang IIChar fillet | Pointed cabbage | Black bread croutons, Gang IIIVenison loin | Parsnips | Guajana chocolate, Gang IVOrange tart | Calamansi sorbet | Citrus salad. Sounds amazing, right? I can tell you: it was. I sampled every course – in addition to my own meal – or was served it myself, and just as expected, everything tasted absolutely delicious. The combination of ingredients is simply superb. I would never (well, I certainly wouldn't, but maybe any of you would...) think of combining scallops with apple or venison with chocolate. It was simply fantastic.
That's exactly how it was for me too. My food was great. I got as first gear Arctic char tartare with avocado, lemon, and ginger. Absolutely divine. The portions are never too large, and you'll definitely be able to finish everything. That was certainly the case for [name of person/company]. Gang II and the wild mushroom ravioli with celery and truffle, topped with freshly sprinkled Parmigiano Reggiano. I was actually a little disappointed when my companion wanted to try some and I had to share, they were so good. 😉 Gang III was a sea bass with smoked potatoes and saffron mussel nage and Gang IV The small orange tart, which my companion also enjoyed. Ah… I want more, because everything tasted absolutely delicious!… Well… you can't have everything. But what we definitely did have that evening was good wine, namely a bottle of Terre di Tufi (for €58). A delicious, slightly acidic white wine that paired perfectly with my fish and yet was incredibly mild and smooth on the finish. (So I can definitely recommend it).
Before the culinary delights began in the form of the set menus, we were served a starter of briefly seared tuna with roasted vegetables, lemon-basil cream, and olive oil (delicious!). As soon as you're seated, you, like every guest, receive an attractively presented amuse-bouche. This features fresh, homemade focaccia, walnut and tomato bread, avocado cream, cottage cheese, and pickled garlic, rosemary, and chili salt. Very refined and a great (flavorful) harbinger, which already hinted at the culinary highlights that would soon await us on our plates. The selection of other fine breads, such as olive baguette, pflute, or multigrain bread, is constantly changing. Just as much as the starter, amuse-bouche, and set menu, I enjoyed the final nougat praline with passion fruit on butter caramel – the perfect ending and so delicious. Just take a look at the photo below in the gallery, I don't think I need to say anything more…
Davvero also offers a late breakfast on weekends and holidays. This means you can enjoy a leisurely and relaxed breakfast with all the culinary delights at Davvero from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, finding the perfect start to your day. Besides honeycomb blossom, tonka bean and strawberry jam, Eggs Benedict, and other classics, freshly blended smoothies and much more await you. And if you'd like to linger a little longer, but your children are eager to leave, they'll be well looked after in the Kids Club on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Equally appealing is "Davvero's Daily," the restaurant's new business lunch, which is offered five days a week (Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm). There are three daily changing courses available as a two- or three-course menu, for €28 or €38, which can be selected in addition to the à la carte lunch menu.
The restaurant, which currently seats 120 people, will be undergoing renovations from mid-January of next year for approximately 2.5 to 3 months. However, the restaurant will remain open as usual, so you can still enjoy dining there. Once completed, the restaurant will seat 90 people and the bar 60. Davvero's regular opening hours are 6:30 am to 10:30 am (until 2:00 pm on weekends), 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm for lunch, and 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm for dinner. The Charles Hotel in Munich is easily accessible by public transport: U2 (Königsplatz station), U1, U2, U4, and U5, as well as all S-Bahn lines (Hauptbahnhof station). From there, it's just a short walk to the wonderful, cozy, and inviting restaurant, where you can relax and enjoy yourself.
My personal conclusion, even though – I'm aware – Davvero is a rather expensive restaurant: Definitely try it. For your next special occasion or evening out, reserve a table at Davvero and let yourself be surprised. I'm absolutely certain you'll love it, as I've had the pleasure of trying over 15 different creations by Michelin-starred chef Michael Hüsken, and every single one was simply fantastic. You're guaranteed a wonderful evening. Say hi to the chef for me and enjoy your meal! And if you're just a little hungry and happen to be nearby: In winter, they serve roasted chestnuts and homemade mulled wine. Delicious!
I'll be back: Absolutely. Delicious food and exceptionally friendly and attentive service.
Place visited: The Charles Hotel – Davvero
Address: Sophienstraße 28, 80333 Munich
Website: The Charles Hotel – Davvero
Pictures:
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