Housed atop the former Dortmunder Union Brewery, U-view is presented as the destination dining spot in the post industrial coal town of Dortmund. Launched last year in conjunction with the RUHR2010 Industrial Culure fair. The U-Tum (tower) is a new venue for Dortmund to showcase their blossoming arts and cultural scene.
The view from the U-view prior to sunset was a pleasant city scape rendering the gritty city in the dusky hues of red and orange light. Shortly after the sun is lost to the horizon, the view from the windows transforms into an abstract light show. The windows of the U-View sit behind a large array of diode tubes that give the street level observers a massive video show, to the diners within the U a pleasant abstract illumination.
Gastronomically, the menu at the U seemed simple, with some direct and unaffected offerings. The selections were not overtly numerous nor too diverse (as so many restaurants try to seem worldly and diverse) though they did reach so far as to provide three vegetarian offerings and several thai curry dishes.
For my picks: a a starter of paprika basilika suppe and an entree of Surf'n'turf of Lamb Chops with Pulpo (octopus). The soup was very fine nicely presented with some home baked croutons, a sprig of basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Nicely done and tasty surpassing my expectations.
The entree i found pleasing. Five bones lamb chops flame broiled and presented on top of an octopus salad. The lamb was perfect seared rare and the pulpo was fantastic with not a hint of the overtly fishy and rubbery taste that abuses many a cephalapod preparation.
Where the meal falls down is the service. The surf and turf was oredered by 3 of our party. When the food arrived only two orders of the lamb arrived at the table. The server informed that the third would be out shortly. However, the delay was quite long. Out of courtesy the third of us bid us eat, only to find that we would all nearly finish before his arrived. I myself had only one bone left when his plate arrived.
Truth told, I thought his plate did look better prepared (doubtless the kitchen made effort to improve our disposition), but i fear that his palate may have soured over the delay. When the chef (i assume from the coat) came to our table to explain, that the order did not arrive in the kitchen as the printer had run out of paper; that did nothing to improve the impression at our table. Too many failures and too little explanation too late. The server did not follow up to ensure that all orders were under way, the kitchen surely had repaced the paper shortly after our order was lost, as the restaurant was busy enough. The server had not given an honest impression of the delay length (as if she might be back in a second and not waiting for the entire meal to be cooked).
U-view almost perfect but not quite. 3 stars
The view from the U-view prior to sunset was a pleasant city scape rendering the gritty city in the dusky hues of red and orange light. Shortly after the sun is lost to the horizon, the view from the windows transforms into an abstract light show. The windows of the U-View sit behind a large array of diode tubes that give the street level observers a massive video show, to the diners within the U a pleasant abstract illumination.
Gastronomically, the menu at the U seemed simple, with some direct and unaffected offerings. The selections were not overtly numerous nor too diverse (as so many restaurants try to seem worldly and diverse) though they did reach so far as to provide three vegetarian offerings and several thai curry dishes.
For my picks: a a starter of paprika basilika suppe and an entree of Surf'n'turf of Lamb Chops with Pulpo (octopus). The soup was very fine nicely presented with some home baked croutons, a sprig of basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Nicely done and tasty surpassing my expectations.
Where the meal falls down is the service. The surf and turf was oredered by 3 of our party. When the food arrived only two orders of the lamb arrived at the table. The server informed that the third would be out shortly. However, the delay was quite long. Out of courtesy the third of us bid us eat, only to find that we would all nearly finish before his arrived. I myself had only one bone left when his plate arrived.
Truth told, I thought his plate did look better prepared (doubtless the kitchen made effort to improve our disposition), but i fear that his palate may have soured over the delay. When the chef (i assume from the coat) came to our table to explain, that the order did not arrive in the kitchen as the printer had run out of paper; that did nothing to improve the impression at our table. Too many failures and too little explanation too late. The server did not follow up to ensure that all orders were under way, the kitchen surely had repaced the paper shortly after our order was lost, as the restaurant was busy enough. The server had not given an honest impression of the delay length (as if she might be back in a second and not waiting for the entire meal to be cooked).
U-view almost perfect but not quite. 3 stars
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