El Perro y El Griego
Belfortstrasse 14
Tel. (089) 48 25 53
Mon.–Fri. 11 am–1 am, Sat.–Sun. 4 pm–1 am.
This Spanish tapas bar, decorated with faux terra cotta walls and soft lighting, attracts crowds not just on account of its good service and promptly served tapas, but also of its great selection of main courses. The most popular fare served here, other than tasty cocktails, which are served weekdays until 8 pm at their Happy Hour price, is the restaurant’s wide selection of fresh fish, ranging from red snapper (€ 13) to sole (€ 13.50) to Goldbrasse (gilthead sea bream, similar to sea bass) (€ 13). These delicacies take 20 to 30 minutes to arrive at the table, as they are carefully prepared and grilled whole, preserving the flavor and juices and making every second worth the wait. If you are in a hurry, the chef will also gladly serve you a grilled filet of the fish of your choice in half the time. In addition to fish, there are a number of other seafood choices “aus der Pfanne,” such as salmon in a basil cream sauce (€ 11) and cod with shrimp and garlic (€ 10.50). For those who don’t like fish, the first page of the menu lists meat or vegetarian appetizers and main courses, the prices ranging from € 3.50 to € 14.50. You may choose to start with a light zucchini carrot soup (€ 3.50), grilled octopus over a bed of arugula (€ 9.80) or duck breast in a simple orange sauce atop spinach salad (€ 9.80). Main meals range from chicken breast served with an apple-Marsala wine sauce (€ 8) to baked eggplant filled with seasoned minced meat and melted cheese (€ 9.50). Keep in mind, however, that the portions are on the small side (especially the Gambas in garlic white-wine sauce), so order accordingly. If you prefer to stick with the tapas, try the zesty Rosarios, garlic sausages in oil, the herb-laced sardines or the fried crayfish claws with dip. All tapas are priced at € 4. A vitrine filled with cold tapas lines the bar, so you can pick and choose as you please, or simply ask the waiter for a tapas selection, which may come with such nibblers as Manchego cheese, Serrano ham, olives, beet salad and marinated mushrooms. A glass of wine goes well with any meal here, but before you take a look at the extensive wine list, note that this restaurant does not accept credit cards.
FOOD 7, SERVICE 5, ATMOSPHERE 10