Delving into the flavors of Jolie Bistrot, located in Prenzlauer Berg, reveals a unique culinary experience.
Jolie Bistrot: A French-Infused Neighborhood Gathering Spot in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg
The Catch Family, a dynamic culinary collective with roots in Latvia but based in Berlin, has added another gem to the district of Prenzlauer Berg. The latest addition to their portfolio, the Jolie Bistrot, is now housed in the former Kollberg 35, a breakfast café and evening neighborhood pub concept that struggled to maintain a presence.
Located just steps away from the November Brasserie, the Catch Family's French-Japanese fusion establishment, Jolie promises to be a "Nachbarschaftstreff" - a neighborhood meeting spot - offering seasonal plates and low-intervention wines. This vision aligns with current trends prioritizing relaxed, laid-back dining experiences.
Establishments like the November Brasserie and Jolie Bistrot have transformed Prenzlauer Berg, replacing outdated eateries with vibrant new concepts. The November Brasserie, once an iconic fixture, underwent a transformation several years ago, transforming into a French-Japanese brasserie on Husemannstraße. In its later years, it became a relic of times past, serving a pickled cucumber mounded with fried potatoes.
In contrast, Jolie Bistrot, though planning for a limited seating capacity, does not suffer from a lack of customers, as has been the case with previous ventures by the Catch Group. The restaurant is led by Alexander Slobine, a prominent gastronome who has brought together an international team with a focus on Eastern Europe. The head chef, Danas Pozlevicius, is Lithuanian and previously worked at the November Brasserie.
My visit to Jolie Bistrot, accompanied by a friend, revealed a picturesque terrace with a view of the Kollwitz playground in the summer. Inside, the living room-sized dining room offers an intimate, chic atmosphere, reminiscent of a sophisticated New York brothel entrance or a luxury yacht from the twenties. The restaurant's service, while primarily conducted in English, was enchanting.
The menu is designed for sharing, with an array of French-inspired dishes – from oysters and sardines as starters to beef tartare and raw fish crudo for the main course. The stracciatella cheese is creatively paired with alternative ingredients, and a sourdough bread and salty butter combo serves as an excellent finishing touch.
Items that stood out on the visit included a beautifully prepared wolf fish dish on a warm fennel salad base, and a tuna crudo elevated with roasted pistachios and basil slices as accents. The kitchen's creation of twice-fried potatoes with raw Comté cheese and truffle accent was a standout side dish. The sous-vide cooked, grilled Iberico pork neck, served with Miso-Sake glaze and a fermented kimchi made from red cabbage, proved to be a masterful main dish.
Jolie Bistrot's pricing is reasonable, with small snacks ranging from 4 to 12 Euros and other plates priced between 12 and 22 Euros. Desserts are available for 8 to 10 Euros. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity, and the restaurant's hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday 6 p.m. to midnight.
- The Catch Family, known for their focus on food and lifestyle, has expanded their portfolio with the addition of Jolie Bistrot, a French-inspired restaurant located in Prenzlauer Berg.
- Jolie Bistrot offers an intimate and chic interior design, creating a sophisticated atmosphere that resembles a luxury yacht from the 1920s or a New York brothel entrance.
- The menu at Jolie Bistrot features a variety of global cuisines, with recipes highlighting fashion-and-beauty through the art of cooking and food-and-drink pairings.
- Travelers visiting Berlin should add Jolie Bistrot to their itinerary, as it offers a unique dining experience showcasing the best of French cuisine amidst the revitalized food-and-garden scene of Prenzlauer Berg.
- As the popularity of Jolie Bistrot grows, travelers should make reservations to avoid disappointment, and plan their visit during the restaurant's expansive hours from Tuesday to Sunday, or on Monday evenings.
