Le Cochon Bourgeois

From my very rusty knowledge of French I’d guess that “Le Cochon Bourgeois” means something like “The posh pig” or “The swanky swine”. Whatever, the name is certainly apt because in the German adjectives which spring to mind for describing this restauarant are “Edel” and “Gehoben”. It’s an upmarket joint.

As you might expect from this class of restaurant, especially a French one, the food is excellent. As is the service. And I’m reliably informed that the wine is good too, but I’m no conneseur (I can’t even spell it) so I can’t comment. As for the atmosphere, well, it’s great if you happen to be sat facing into the restaurant with a view of the bar and the other tables. Unfortunately the time I was there I had nothing to look at but a blank cream coloured wall. Oh, and my dining companion. If I owned the place I’d put up a big mirror on that wall. It’d give the folks in the cheap seats something to look at during a conversational hiatus.

There’s two areas to the restaurant: a front with a view out over the street, and a back. I didn’t really look in the back. As for the prices, well, a starter will rob you of 8.50 to 11 Euros. A middle course costs 11 or 12. And the main courses are between 15 and 19.50. The clientelle here are mostly retired business men, and society ladies with too much facial surgery. One old dame next to me had her skin pulled so tight that every time she crossed her legs her mouth opened. It wasn’t pretty.

Anyway, to sum up: if you’ve already made your dot com millions then you should definately visit this “lokal” and make your own judgement. If you’re still an impoverished student or under-employed graduate you should wait another decade or two before eating here.

Fichtestr. 24, Kreuzberg, Berlin.
Tel. 030 6930101

Posted by James at May 2, 2003 11:58 AM