In the midst of the pandemic, Stilian Laufer, who among other things runs the Lützow Bar, has quietly opened the MQ restaurant on Kurfürstendamm. The restaurant with young Californian cuisine is doing well, which is not least due to the good network of the owner Laufer. The restaurant offers 80 seats in the hotel Louisa’s Place and the chef is also no stranger.
Chef Andelko Krmpotic already knows the restaurant’s premises from his days at ‘Balthazar’, where he worked as chef de partie for a year in 2006. Things have changed since then – the interior with unplastered granite, leather and wood is now modern with thoughtful light installations and contemporary art. The MQ has created an elegant and cozy atmosphere to match the modern cuisine. This is oriented toward Asian-Californian with Central and South American influences that California cuisine is known for. Light dishes, such as tiraditos and ceviches, as well as innovative surf-and-turf creations are offered.
Chef Krmpotic has gained some experience in the 14 years between Balthazar and MQ. He was sous chef at the famous Borchardt, worked internationally for four years as head chef at the ‘Beefbar’ in Monaco, and was subsequently head chef at the Gendarmerie, the Paris-Moscow restaurant, and Patrick Hellmann’s Schlosshotel.
He cooks with high-quality ingredients from preferably regional suppliers. The menu features light contemporary cuisine like that found on the West Coast of the United States. Starters include burrata, edamame, papaya salad, pulpo ceviche or yellowfin tuna tartare. In addition to vegetarian dishes such as mushroom risotto and truffle tagliolini, the main course features meat specialties such as entrecote, chateaubriand or Korean porkbelly and fish dishes such as miso black cod or Norwegian salmon. Side dishes such as green asparagus, broccoli, pimentos or the addictive truffle fries can be ordered separately.
The wines, most of which are Californian, surprise with their special depth and are an ideal match for the exceptional cuisine of the MQ restaurant.
The strong network of host Stilian Laufer, who is co-founder and has been the operations manager of the 40seconds Group for almost 20 years, is the main reason for the guests’ enjoyment. Among other things, he helped shape Berlin’s nightlife at the 40seconds Club for 13 years and subsequently took over the catering of the International Club. In 2013, he and his business partner Thorsten Schermall opened the Vesper Bar, which is located right next to the MQ restaurant.
Since 2019, he has also been the operator of the Lützow Bar, which has since become a highly frequented destination for partying Berliners.
The new restaurant is in the former SAVU Restaurant.
The MQ, whose name is inspired by actor Steve McQueen, has 81 seats and a large window front, as well as a small terrace in summer. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. Reservations can be made through the website www.mq-restaurant.de.
Restaurant MQ, Kurfürstendamm 160, 10709 Berlin, Tel: 030 223 255 78