On March 19, the new restaurant Balaustine will open in Berlin Mitte with Modern Middle Eastern Cuisine. Balaustine, the blossom of the pomegranate tree, symbolizes the culinary art of the Middle East. A kitchen with many spices and fresh ingredients.
Head of Culinary will be Mitz Vora, who most recently cooked the modern cuisine of Jerusalem at “Restaurant Palomar” in London, among other places.
The new Balaustine restaurant celebrates the rich history of Israeli cuisine and the great influence of neighboring Middle Eastern countries – Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, etc. The region’s cuisine is diverse, but also bears some resemblance to regional specialties. The vibrant food culture of the Middle East has long become an important part of Berlin’s gastronomy. Balaustine shows a very modern interpretation of this spice-intensive and brightly colored cuisine.
Meats and vegetables are grilled on a charcoal grill to a juicy, smoky texture, accompanied by sophisticated salads, fluffy fresh bread and traditional yogurt-based dips. Drinks include flavorful cocktails and Arabic coffee served in traditional coffee pots at Balaustine.
Fresh, local and organic German produce combined with Middle Eastern flavors form the basis of the menu. On it, for example, you’ll find Jerusalem bagel with tomato and tahini (EUR 6), Balaustine hummus with chimichurri, walnuts and sumac (EUR 9) for starters. Or beet with labneh, dill and hazelnut dukkah (14 EUR) or eggplant with roasted jalapeño yogurt, date molasses, pomegranate and puffed freekeh (14 EUR). For the main course, there is, for example, whole roasted sea bass with chraimeh and mild herbs (21 EUR) or pork belly with apricots, ras-el-hanout and pickled fennel (14 EUR). Desserts like the baklava croissant (8 EUR) have an obvious European influence, which makes for modern Middle Eastern cuisine.
In summer, Balaustine offers a large terrace directly on the Spree River with views of the famous Berlin Dome. The interior design with its orange marble elements creates a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
Restaurant manager will be Nabil Salim, who can look back on more than 25 years of gastronomic experience, including as restaurant manager at Café am Neuen See and most recently as manager for L’Osteria. Through his Lebanese roots on his father’s side, Nabil Salim grew up with Middle Eastern food and is looking forward to this new challenge. He says, “The restaurant is meant to be a place to gather with family and friends to share small plates of traditional and modernized Middle Eastern cuisine with cocktails to match and a friendly atmosphere.”
Culinary director Mitz Vora was most recently in London at “Restaurant Palomar.” There Vora cooked modern Jerusalem cuisine. Previously, Mitz Vora had worked in top restaurants in the Niagara region and the rest of Canada. Among others, “Treadwell’s”, “Hillebrand Estate Winery Restaurant”, “The Eden” and “The Wickaninnish Inn” in Tofino. Mitz Vora is now looking forward to tying in with Levant cuisine, for which he has a particular passion, at Balaustine.
The restaurant has 120 indoor seats as well as 100 patio seats. It will be open daily from 12:00 to approximately 23:00. It is barrier-free, child-friendly, has a terrace where smoking is also allowed, and free Wi-Fi. All credit cards are accepted.
Reservations can be made via the website or by calling 030 233466 or info@balaustinerestaurant.com, as well as OpenTable.