Themroc, one choice, 3 cooks, Mitte
May 19, 2011 9 Comments
The Themroc ‘concept’, if you will, is one menu served to all. One menu meaning the same starter, main course and dessert. We don’t all have to eat it at once, in fact the cook prefers it if the seatings are staggered. That’s not all. There are three cooks. Yorgos a Greek artist, Laurent who was also our waiter the night we went and a Persian (who wasn’t there but is the owner, we were told). Of the 6 days they are open, each day has a different menu.
They serve 34 people a night and most nights they are full. The food doesn’t start coming out until around 7:30 - 8:00. More like 8:00 pm.
Laurent takes periodical cigarette breaks out front and after most of the mains have gone out, Yorgos starts doing the same. Laurent tells us that at midnight, they have to move the party indoors where everyone can stay as long as they want, drinking and chatting.
The whole concept and place made me think of the closing months of my senior year. The hard work is over, once feral teachers have turned all fuzzy around the edges, random moments seem poignant because you know that this is it: life will never again be this simple. You are in an atypical and unusual window of time. As a result, you (me, back then) are over-confident, slightly euphoric, brimming with possibilities.
I kept feeling wisps of that all night at Themroc and I get it in a lot of other places in Berlin. The city is still flush with whimsical concepts like this one and what’s more they do well. I suppose some might say it’s one of the draws of Berlin.
I almost feel like Themroc is more about the philosophy than the food. Although the food was, for the most part, nice, rustic, simple fare. I gave them a bit of leeway because none of the dishes are rehearsed, this is a fly by the seat of your pants kind of place.
Prices were reasonable, I seem to remember somewhere around €20 - €25 per person which I appreciated because counterintuitively, Berlin can be a lot more expensive than you would imagine, especially when dealing with a small place.
I enjoyed my evening, I might even go back, this time for lunch (did I mention they are also opened for lunch?)
Themroc
Torstraße 183
10115 Berlin, Germany
0162 4251121
Themroc’s facebook page
Sounds good… but not as good as this!
*semi-relevant musical interlude*
Umm, ok, how did you stick a youtube thing on my post in a comment? Teach me!
I just remembered, I took a photo earlier this year, of the interesting menu outside:
http://u1.ipernity.com/18/16/86/10631686.6afe7edf.jpg
Note that it says “Mittagsfisch” rather than “Mittagstisch”. Yum.
The subtlety is lost on me… : )
Suzy — I love your blogs. They are funny and great to read… I remember you experimenting with food a bit while at AUP - you once came to my apartment and cooked amazing pasta:). I cook quite a bit as well - attended ICE whilst living in NYC.
I live in Brussels at the moment and are about to move to Vienna… Let me know if you ever travel that way.
Petra
Thank you Petra!
My husband is from Vienna. He goes often but I never seem to get up there. But will certainly let you know if I am ever in town.
Hey,
I really like your blog! I’m always on the look-out for great places to eat in Berlin.
Can you recommend any good cafés?
Thank you,
Kat
Cafes, well I like Kaffeemitte. An oldie but goodie - although quite modern inside. Love the Barn (very small though). Are you looking for coffee, people watching?…
Both, and places that serve good food as well!
http://suitesculturelles.wordpress.com/
cheers,
kat