Kumami Köpenick, a restaurant review

Linda’s 60th Birthday Present (belated) and my early 70^th

We had decided a while ago when Janice and Martin had said that Linda’s birthday present would be a Japanese meal in Berlin. They had discovered a new small Japanese restaurant in the middle of old Köpenick just a short tram ride from their new house. We looked after Aidan on the Friday and then on Saturday Tante Mohrle done a bit of babysitting while we went Asian.

The Restaurant is situated not far from the Rathaus made famous by Wilhelm Voigt (alias Heinz Rühmann) in the Hauptmann von Köpenick.

For you that don't know Köpenick, I would just say you should get yourself out there, it is situated on the shore of the Muggelsee in the south of Berlin (it didn't become part of Berlin until the 1920s). It is here that the short river the Dahme joins the Spree. The total length is only 95km in length and it rises in the Spreewald (also worth a visit) at a small town called strangely enough Dahme. (I think it is a place to visit in the spring when I have the camper on the road again)

The restaurant is quite small with only one table, though this does seat about 12, the table is actually a pair of polished timber planks (Walnut) with a burlap middle filled with wine corks. The walls are plain brick where the plaster has been hacked off, simple but effective. There is some of the original ceiling architrave remaining, crying back to a bygone era of luxury prior to the DDR.

Daughter had booked well in advance and as we were the only ones eating this early our places were immediately evident, there were four places all neatly laid out.

We divested (it was bloody cold out so we were well clad) and took our places at the wonderful table.

The waitress (also one of the owners) came and handed out the menu card and drinks list. The menu is a take it or leave it one, there is only one set menu, and a few add ones if you wish. The menu was to all our tastes and looked wonderful.

The menu was as follows:

1)       Sea Bass poached in a Dashi broth, decorated with pea shoots and finely sliced radishes  

2

22)      Obanzi – A selection of small starters (differs each day)

33)      Salmon Tartar on a bed of rice, topped with trout caviar and of course wasabi

44)      Trout Ponzu- Tranche of trout, wrapped in vine leaves and baked in a salt crust. The chef actually presented it at the table and broke it open serving each parcel separately.

55)      Scallop baked in the shell with a white miso sauce and mushrooms

66)      Finally there (main course wise) Roe deer leg filet, served with shredded dashi, red cabbage and         kale.

        

That was it for me, though the rest had deserts, martin a roasted green tea brûlée with a vanilla ice      cream. 

Janice and Linda both had the chocolate selection of the day.

        Martin and I both had beer served in small metal tumblers (I was a little surprised that they didn’t     have a Japanese beer, but you can’t have everything) Janice and Linda shared a carafe of rose.

I     I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food, all perfectly cooked and served with aplomb and courtesy. The waitress and cook are married and this is a wonderful innovative restaurant venture.

     

      The name of the restaurant is made up of parts of their first names Kum and Ami. I do wish this venture well and will pop in again, when the weather gets a bit warmer. One splendid addition is the toilet seats they are as is usual in Japan a warm water bidet type, a nice touch, if you get the slant of my draw.