Rutz Weinbar - Berlin

Differentiated restaurant! great wine list and excellent food! and we don't pay expensive! worth the visit for sure!

Rutz Weinbar has become my favourite (wine) bar when in Berlin. The service is always excellent, they have huge selection of great (German) wines and even the decoration is just my style. Of course this is not the cheapest bar around but who cares when it's this good? They also have wine store so you can take a bottle (or a case) of your favourite wine to go. And when enjoying the wine a nice cheese platter is so delicious!

My gosh. What a disappointment I experienced last night. I have been to Rutz twice. My first experience was quite good, though not really exceptional. I was certainly interested in returning. I was also planning a wine tasting even with 8 people from my office. Last night has caused me hesitation. I stopped in with a friend to eat from the A la Carte menu in the wine bar. I can first say that the service was fine, though a bit inconsistent. The main service was fine, as was the sommelier, though some of the staff did not seem to appreciate the finer nuances of service--like not pouring a second and different wine in the same glass as the first wine when there was still wine left in the glass. Should be a new glass. Keep in mind this is a two-star Michelin restaurant. My starter was a straightforward salad. Things went south when the steak arrived. I initially realized that I had not been asked how I wanted my steak cooked. I feared that it would be too rare for my liking. The waiter explained that they intentionally don't ask because the Chef believes that the dish should be served so as to maximize the flavor of the dish. I was not thrilled about that, but respected the sentiment so I accepted it. When the steak arrived I immediately was struck by my inability to cut through the steak. It's not unusual that a steak may have a fatty area or area of gristle that must be cut around. The more a tried I found that the steak was mostly gristle. Even with a sharp steak knife I could barely cut through it and found almost nothing I could actually eat. It was obvious from the plate that I tried and failed. This was really disappointing because I was really hungry.I decided to not make a big deal of it, but still say something to the head waiter. I essentially described the steak as full of gristle and said that I literally could not even cut through it. I invited the kitchen to try for itself. He seemed taken aback and pretty much speechless, and took the plate away. I was curious to see how they would handle the situation by the end of the night.We ordered a dessert and had a nice dessert wine recommended by the sommelier. No comment was made on the steak. There was no acknowledgment or apology or comment at all. When the bill arrived it appears that 10% was taken off the steak itself. I found this to pretty remarkable given that it was a 45 euro steak. They knocked 4.50 off a bill for a steak I literally could not eat. Our overall bill was almost 200 euros. I'm normally not one to complain, but I found this experience to be rather amazing. With no steak to eat, my entire meal consisted of a small starter salad and half of one small dessert. I think what was most amazing is that nobody ever even said anything. I was obviously really disappointed in the steak--my main course--and nobody seemed to care. If I had been in a regular restaurant I might have expected this handling, but Rutz is a Michelin two star restaurant. I know, for example, if I had expressed even mild dismay at The French Laundry (another Michelin star winner) in Napa, let alone an inedible steak, the restaurant would have been mortified. To literally say nothing was rather bizarre.My experience is particularly troubling because I love the atmosphere in the restaurant, and they have an amazing wine list. Regrettable, I am now very hesitant to return.

We requested a table for 4 weeks before the arrival in berlin and were delighted that a table was available from the waiter list. we have loved each other as a family of 4 with my husband and two daughters (both 12.) we have loved this evening. it was one of the best we had in a long time, and we have eaten at numerous 3* melin restaurants all over the world. they are thoughtful about the taste of each plate and how it all comes together without care. we loved especially the carp that mangalitsa swarm, the alcohol-free juice pairings and the local German weine. They take humiliated ingredients and make them magically over alchemy each dish was spectacular in its taste, and the portion sizes perfect we were full without the crowded, bloated feeling at the end of the meal. we loved the local German elements that they worked into the meal most ingredients are from local farmers and producers, although they are not fanatic about it and the concrete is really on quality and the meal fantastic. service was very friendly and thoughtful, without being intrusive at any point. very memorable and definitely would be here again for more dinner!

My visit did not begin well when I said after a confirmation that my wife was unable to come with me. then they asked, I couldn't take anyone else. I didn't. but it was excellent. there is a set menu of either...7 or 8 curses that they can add caviar (as separate curs.) Wine pair is available, and it was very good. all 9 courses were exceptional. this is really a 3-star restaurant! service was also very friendly and professional.