Food_amp_amp_Travel_Arabia_Vol3_I7_I8_2016_vk_com_ENGLISHMAGAZINES

GOURMET TRAVELLER
MUNICH
Previous page: spices;
dining area. This page:
Left to right, top:
restaurant interior;
Charles Hotel exterior at
night. Left to right,
bottom: Executive Chef
Michael Hsken; garden
dining; Bar Manager
Roman Kern
Having only recently savoured the delights of dining at the
Michelin starred Number One restaurant located in Rocco
Forte’s Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, I couldn’t resist a visit to
Sophia’s restaurant in the Rocco Forte Charles Hotel during my
recent stay in Munich.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Old Botanical
Gardens, and somehow reminiscent of New York’s Flatiron Building
the Charles Hotel is ideally located; close to Königsplatz and just a
short stroll from the designer stores of Maximilianstrasse.
With a well-earned reputation, I was looking forward to
experiencing the gastronomic treats from former Michelin starred
chef Michael Hüsken, who leads the talented brigade in Sophia’s
kitchen. From my arrival in the busy restaurant and bar I was
immediately impressed; the level of service was both personable
and friendly without being intrusive and the welcome was warm and
genuine, a tenet that permeated throughout my evening.
The menu is a celebration of regional produce, exotic flavours
offering a wide range of prime cuts of meat and the freshest of
fish that are the basis for Chef Michael Hüsken’s botanical
bistronomy cuisine.
We decided to let chef recommend our meal for the evening and
we were not disappointed; the appetiser was a delicate plate of
sweet and tender scallops, served with apple, fennel and lardo di
Colonnata that gently tempted my taste buds as the contrast of
textures and flavours gently unfolded on my tongue.
The main course was an exceptional treat, the moist white meat
of the Monkfish with light golden crust served with potato caper
purée, white asparagus, thin shavings of courgette and a luxurious
foam reduction that brought all the elements of the dish together.
To complete our culinary voyage of discovery we were treated to
an indulgent plate of a velvety coffee ice cream, served with
crumble biscuit, the lightest of meringues, the intense flavour of
blueberry pastille and fresh blueberries, which provided just the
right level of tartness to the sweet overtones of the coffee ice
cream; a perfect balance of blueberry and coffee in this most
enjoyable dessert.
Make sure to add Sophia’s to your dining “must do” list next time
you are in Munich.
Sophia’s Restaurant & Bar, The Charles Hotel, Sophienstrasse
28, 80333 Munich, Germany Tel: +49 89 544 5550
www.roccofortehotels.com
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FOOD & TRAVEL ARABIA