Tabacco - Hartmannstrasse 8, Munich, Germany
Hartmannstrasse 8
Tel. 089 22 72 16
Difficult to find unless you know about it, Tabacco reminds me of a cross between an English pub and a New York bar, with lots of dark panelling and a very smoky atmosphere.
It has a good pedigree, since the two owners served their apprenticeship under Charlie Schumann, and it shows in the service. It's quite relaxed and the guests are a mix of ages and styles, but they all seem to be quite well off - check out the jewellery on display. They offer reasonable food, but if you have to wait 30-40 minutes for what is effectively posh steak and chips or fairly standard pasta dish and pay the prices they want you to pay, you will probably figure you are better off elsewhere.
Tables are usually reserved, but if you really want to eat they become available quite quickly. The bar is a classic flirt set-up and even on quieter nights all the barstools will be full of fun-loving people looking for company. Just make sure you bring your wallet to impress them properly.
Review © 2001 Christopher Larmour & Damien Fournier, Groovy Munich
Just had a fabulous evening there and must disagree with the tone of the review. Yes, it is an upscale bar but the prices are within range of what is to be expected in this part of town. And the excellent filet I had would rival any in town and was a reasonable 20 €. The staff was very friendly in German and English and the wine selection good and great care was taken with the cocktails. The menu changes daily and is found on the two boards, not on any menu nor posted outside. Work colleagues report the food is consistently good. My filet was ordered Medium and came expertly prepared, with a nice seared exterior and refreshingly still-red center. My only complaint is the spicy mustard served with it, but perhaps that was more intended for the potatoes. You would easily miss the place as it is tucked away on a small road opposite Bayerischer Hof and kind of looks like a cigar store. It is very near the main police station and there are always several Polizei vans parked outside. Given the name Tabacco it was surprisingly well-ventilated and almost smoke-free on the weeknight I was there. I'm sure it can be stronger, but is small and had a consistent pleasant breeze. Overall, I'd highly recommend it for an after work drink and/or dinner.
Posted by: "Freiheit" at 11:55 am on 7.Jul.2006The menu does not change daily, nor does it need to. Excellent beef, oysters (in season), gateau au chocolat, and cocktails exceptionale... what more does one need?
Posted by: "Tim" at 1:30 am on 19.Nov.2006
