This new kid on the busy block of the Schönhauser/Eberswalder crossing in Prenzlauer Berg feels like a welcome anomaly in an otherwise unmemorable area. AV is an intimate yet chic eatery run by Italian chef Antonio Vinciguerra, who personally brings you his creations on beautiful tableware from Neukölln ceramic producers Helka. Following culinary training in the north of Italy and a spell traveling and working in kitchens around the world, Antonio ended up in Berlin – a fortunate fact, since it’s the ideal place for his experimental cuisine. The menu is innovative and contemporary, focusing on seasonal and regional ingredients that work together with the restaurant’s curated selection of natural wines. AV’s zero-waste cooking philosophy means they’re big on fermentation, allowing otherwise-wasted food to be preserved while creating lots of tangy taste experiences. Regularly changing menus are offered omakase style in both non-vegetarian and vegetarian versions, accompanied by sourdough bread baked to perfection in-house by the sous chef. Expect beautifully presented clean food which, thanks to the team’s probiotic concoctions, is full of umami and nutrients. Among the currywurst stalls and kebab shops, AV is a haven of flavors making dining here a special occasion. Time to treat yourself? We think so.
Text: Rei Matsuoka / Photos: AV
AV, Schönhauser Allee 44, 10435 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Lunch: Thu–Sat 12–15h; Dinner: Wed–Fri 18–22h30 & Sat 18–23h
