Renowned restaurant group, D&D London has announced a new direction for its much-loved Kings Cross flagship, German Gymnasium, with the relaunch of the first floor Restaurant and the arrival of new Executive Chef, Alexander Thiel.
Curated by Executive Head Chef, Alexander Thiel (previously of Barrafina and Beaufort), the Restaurant’s menu has been inspired by the German home-cooked dishes he grew up with. Thiel’s mission is to challenge preconceptions of German cuisine by bringing a new and refined take on the country’s cooking to the London food scene.
The new concept represents a new era for German Gymnasium, which opened in 2015 within the iconic Grade-II listed historical building. While the first-floor Restaurant will introduce a sophisticated, seasonal menu that explores German-speaking Europe, the ground floor Grand Café will continue to serve German and Mittel-European classics from breakfast to dinner.
The Restaurant menu draws upon Alexander’s experiences as a restauranteur in Berlin, working at Sachs and Dressler, as well as launching his own successful restaurant, Thiel’s. Expect dishes such as Gefüllte Paprikaschote mit Letscho (Roast Stuffed Red Bell Pepper, Courgetti Rice, Shallots & Herbs, Red Pepper, Tomato & Paprika Sauce), and Forelle mit Mandlebutter (Pan Fried Whole River Trout, Caper, Parsley & Almond Butter).
The Restaurant will offer a range of authentic German starters including the Krabben Cocktail and Flädlesuppe (clear beef bone broth). There will be a variety of roasted meats for the main showstopper, including Rehrücken Baden Baden (roast roe deer saddle) and the Ente aus dem Rohrwith (whole roasted duck).
There will be a range of different dishes from different regions around Germany its neighbours, such as the Gefüllte Paprikaschote mit Letscho (roasted stuffed bell pepper) and the Forelle mit Mandlebutter (pan fried whole river trout). To finish, the dessert menu will offer all time, authentic classics such as Kaiserchmarrn, Quark & Apricot Strudel, or the Windbeutel.
Alongside the exciting revamp of the Restaurant’s offering, the first floor Meister Bar will also be launching a brand-new cocktail menu in mid-April, inspired by Germany’s National Parks, using ingredients, flavours and colours that represent their namesakes.
The Meister Bar encompasses Berlin glamour and world-class cocktails and serves as a stand-alone destination, as well as servicing Restaurant diners. Guests can soak up the impressive high-ceilinged grandeur of the Grade II-listed historical building as you sit at low tables, or perch at the bar, enjoying the masterful offering of signature cocktails, that Jerome Orive, the Head Bartender has curated.
New menu highlights include: 'The Black Forest' with Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, Jasmin, Black Forest Regional Wine, Peach Liqueur, Supasawa and Grapefruit Bitters and 'The Muritz' with Blackwell Rum, Remy Martin VSOP, Strawberry Liqueur, Lillet Rose, Lime, Gomme, Fresh Strawberries and Soya Milk Clarification.
Both the Restaurant and The Meister Bar menus feature Monkey 47’s Dry Schwarzwald Gin, distilled in Germany’s Black Forest. A favourite product of Head Bartender, Jerome Orive, Monkey 47 (The Schwarzwald DNA), shares German Gymnasiums’ mission to tell an authentic German food and beverage story.
The Restaurant will also offer an extensive list of wines around the world, with a large focus specifically on German wine such as Kalmit Spatburgunder 2017, Weingut Kranz. Pfalz, Germany and Spatburgunder, Carl Koch, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2020.
German Gymnasium continues to boast a beautifully restored all-day grand cafe, sophisticated restaurant dishing out refined modern fare, two breath-taking bars, and a vast outdoor terrace, German Gymnasium is a return to the mega-brasserie style and offers something for everyone.
Beautifully designed with a theatrical staircase linking the sprawling, marble-floored ground floor Grand Café to the first floor Restaurant, with secluded tables tucked behind gleaming pillars.
The new direction will offer a full 360 experience of German food, cocktails, and brasserie style food, offering something for everyone for any occasion.