Potsdam restaurant

When visiting Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, Germany, do yourself a favor and enjoy a tasty and relaxing meal at the Wiener Restaurant & Café (Luisenplatz 4, Potsdam, Germany; www.wienerrestaurantundcafe.de). It’s located near a bus stop on a square two or three blocks south of the eastern entrance to the park and at the west end of Potsdam’s newly redeveloped, pedestrian-only Brandenburger Strasse.

On a cold, rainy March ’07 afternoon, my wife and I along with another couple sought shelter in this classy-looking restaurant for lunch. After making our way past their extensive display of succulent cakes and sweets, we were seated in the white-tablecloth section on the lower of two seating levels.

Despite the many appealing dishes offered on the menu, most of us opted for the cheapest of the specials that were chalked on a board at the entrance. That €7 (near $9) special included a generous bowl of chili con carne (a surprisingly common menu choice in this region) and dessert.

We were served what was possibly the best chili con carne that I’ve had the pleasure of eating. The varied seasonings in this meaty chili provided just the right amount of punch along with an unexpected complexity of flavors. Bread and butter were served alongside. To accompany our meal, my wife and I ordered a half-liter carafe of a very drinkable German red wine for €10.50 ($14). Dessert was ice cream served with a wafer.

Our English-speaking server was pleasant and professional. The very clean rest rooms are located one floor above the ground level. During our visit, all of the other patrons appeared to be local residents; there were no other English-speaking travelers present.

The total bill for the four of us was €49.50 ($65). This was one of the very few restaurants we encountered on this trip that accepted credit cards.

STEPHEN O. ADDISON, Jr.

Charlotte, NC