Zum Heiligen Teufel - Cucina Italiana — Restaurant in Berlin

The food is admittedly very good, to put that first.

I made a reservation and received a confirmation for 6:30 to 10pm. Though starting to get there in time, we got stuck in public transport, so despite all efforts we were 11 minutes late (that is 11 minutes, not half an hour). When I introduced myself, first thing I heard was "You are late!". I felt scolded, honestly. They informed me that it was important to be punctual because I only had the table until 8:30pm. I then saw that they even called me, at 6:33, so three minutes after the starting time. I showed them my confirmation email saying that the reservation was until 10pm. They did not care about it. At 8:30 sharp I was given the bill ("I am afraid it's time."). Sure, they offered me to stay and sit at the bar. But I invited a friend to this dinner. Not only did I feel discomfort because I got scolded in front of him (and he and I knew we were trying to be there in time), I was embarrassed having (to tell him) to leave the table so rushed. Errors in the system can happen (such as my confirmation for the reservation until 10pm seems to have been an error). And we would not have insisted on staying until 10pm sharp. We were about to finish anyway, but we would have stayed for 15 to 30 minutes. Given the level of the taste of the food, I do not think that the service and handling this incident matches it, which was...

"While this restaurant basked in its glory days a couple of years back, its recent relocation has turned it into a culinary catastrophe. Our latest attempt at gastronomic pleasure was nothing short of a tragic comedy, with the once-proud main courses sauntering in at 11 pm, as if they had better places to be. The food, an uninspiring shadow of its former self, barely achieved the status of 'edible,' while the stingy portions left us questioning if they were in the business of fine dining or dietary teasing. Their inflexible stance on allergies and preferences was a masterclass in customer inconvenience, making it abundantly clear that customer satisfaction is a foreign concept. And as the pièce de résistance of their ineptitude, they had the gall to slap an extra 5€ on a farewell sip of limoncello—a move so petty it belongs in a miser's handbook. This establishment's customer service isn't just lacking—it's a spectacular crash and burn, leaving patrons longing for the golden era that's now buried beneath layers of culinary...

Took us a while to write this review, because as neighbours we wanted to keep this place our secret for a little while longer. We liked everything about this place (and we very rarely do): The atmosphere is very cosy and supported by very tasteful, yet down-to-earth design - from the lighting, to the music, to the distance between tables, even the charming little bathroom. Nicolas's service is knowledgeable and friendly, and gives you a sensation that's not very common in Berlin restaurants - that you are wanted, and seen as more than a wallet. The food (by Antonio, although we've been there twice and maybe they switch) is spectacular. Also here - no fireworks, but rather a very compact menu of dishes with a lot of thought and skill behind them, resulting in distinct, clear flavours. Prices are more than fair for a place at this level, and daily menu is already a real catch. We wish these two all the best, and we hope they don't lose the magic when they get big, as...