Dear Diary,

Something unexpected happened: I started out just looking for a way to not be hungry anymore and ended up having a great dining experience. Grindelallee is full of places to eat and we have all walked past them on our way to or from uni but then just end up going to the same places over and over again. (At least I do.) Thus I had of course been aware of the existence of Spiesserei  but just always assumed it to be too fancy (read: expensive) for me. But today I saw a sign. More specifically, the sign advertising the lunch menu. And I was just in time to order before it turned 5pm and the deal ended.

For just under five bucks (the money kind), I had a delicious meal surrounded by bucks (the animal kind) that seem to be the favourite motive of the interior designer that gave us the cozy but modern design pairing rustic wood and brown leather with metal accessories and an otherwise light colour scheme. We settled down with a pale ale from the small-ish but eclectic drinks selection and put some distance between us and the stressful workday with the aid of the relaxed but not too soporific tunes.

But now to the most important part: the food. I had three chicken skewers with a side salad and potatoes, while my companion indulged in a salad that also boasted eggplant, zucchini, carrots, beans, and olives and came with two skewers. I don’t usually expect the side salad to already make the meal worth it without even having tasted anything else but it did. The balsamic dressing was beautifully smooth and the generous amount of pepper gave it a nice kick. The basis consisted of two kinds of lettuce and rocket (my favourite – how can a leaf be so flavourful?) and the diced tomatoes and cucumbers added substance to the variety.

Just as I had to pace myself and not simply inhale my meal, I have to tell you about the eponymous “Spieße” (skewers), so they don’t just become a side note once I start on the culinary highlight of the evening. The chicken was expertly grilled, tender and with a tasty roast aroma, and came in a sweet mustard marinade, which was quite understated and could have been more generously applied.

And finally: the potatoes! I have to admit, I am a huge fan of potatoes as it is, you might have heard me praise their golden goodness before, but the roasted diced potatoes I had at the Spiesserei were simply gorgeous. The edges a crispy brown, the texture substantial – you can feel the freshness! They were seasoned just right with some Mediterranean herbs than perfectly balanced with rich, hearty potato flavour. I almost have to cry just thinking about them. [Cue gif of Samwise Gamgee emphatically saying “PO-TA-TOES”. Did I tell you I was thinking about naming my child Tüfte (the translation of “taters” in the German dub)? It’s probably good that I’m not planning on having any. /ramble]

Anyways, if anybody reads this (quite inappropriate, considering this is a diary, really), I can only recommend checking it out and if you feel like saving some money, make sure to be there before five.

***

Address: Grindelallee 32, 20146 Hamburg

Website: spiesserei.de

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 11 am – 10.30 pm

– Pat was listening to Fake It by Bastille while writing this diary entry.