Lutter & Wegner in Berlin, Germany

There's a gem of a restaurant waiting for you across the street from the historical Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) in the Gendarmenmarkt square of Berlin, Germany.  Lutter & Wegner has menus in both English and German and the servers I interacted with all spoke good English, which is a big relief for English-speaking travelers like myself and makes for a much less stressful dining experience.

I had a medley of sea scallops and shrimp over white asparagus that was dribbled with hollandaise sauce and tasted so delicious that I found myself cutting small pieces to savor every last bite.  I paired the scallops with a dry German reisling at the recommendation of my server, that provided a fruity (even slightly tart) contrast to the entree.

White asparagus comes from the process of etiolation, which is the deprivation of light. Dirt is kept mounded around the emerging stalk, depriving it of light. The plant cannot produce chlorophyll without light, thus there is no green color to the stalks. White asparagus is slightly milder in flavor and more tender than green asparagus, even with the thick stalks shown above.

Lutter & Wegner has an incredible wine selection, and the walls inside are stacked high with an impressive display of wine bottles... which of course will make you want to  ask for the wine list.

Their outdoor seating is cozy and romantic (or would have been if my wife had been with me) with candles at each table, umbrellas to protect from the elements, and even blankets to wrap around your legs if it's chilly at night.

Service was fast and professional, and I highly recommend this restaurant if you're in the area.  There's also a Hilton exactly one block away that faces the South side of the German cathedral if you're also looking for a hotel recommendation.

Location: Charlottenstraße 56, 10117 Berlin, Germany‎ - 030 2029541-15

Recommendation: Thumbs Up