3 Minutes sur Mer | New on Torstraße

Torstraße is one of Berlin's largest culinary hubs. New restaurants are constantly opening up and closing again. 3 Minutes sur Mer certainly has the stamina to stick around for longer. It's an offshoot of the popular Bandol sur Mer, a légère French bistro that 3 Minutes aims to equal in its nonchalant atmosphere.

Reservations are marked in red pen on the paper tablecloths that cover the tables. The place is filled with the typical Torstraße crowd: Designer stubbles, 30+, artsy folks. Most people know each other, some shake hands upon entering the restaurant, one regular is contently spooning up a soup at the counter.

The menu features French classics: Oysters on ice, veal tatar, escargots, grilled red mullet, halibut, gilthead seabream soup with red prawns, as well as tripe and duck liver pâté.

We order a leek quiche with salmon to start things off – it is served on a wooden slate with a side salad and tastes exquisitely good. The entrecôte is tender and flavorful, just perfect. Unfortunately, sides like green beans, fries, gratinéed potatoes and salads are counted as extra orders at 2,50 a piece. The duck with red cabbage and potato dumplings looks so good that the adjoining table has trouble suppressing jealous glances.

The desserts are a joyous culmination of our night. The Crème Brûlée is served with a scoop of delicious red wine ice cream and the buttersoft Tarte Tartin is decorated with eggnog ice cream.

I strongly recommend making a reservation, on any day of the week, at least in the early evening hours. Already, 3 Minutes seems to have reached the popularity level of its famous next door neighbor. Or try the lunch menu if you have time.

(abi)