In Bavaria we drink beer. Never will I ever argue with that. But for days when your arms are too sore to lift up a Maß, maybe just maybe try to lift a wine glass.
To be honest, I’m not a big beer drinker, although I do delight in the sunshine pleasures of Biergarten season and I’m more than looking forward to the upcoming Oktoberfest. If I had to, I’d call myself a wine girl, but don’t get too excited and try to talk shop with me. This palette is definitely untrained. That’s probably why I more than enjoyed the chance to get recommendations from the staff at Kim & Co Weinbar. It definitely took the stress out of choosing a wine, and honestly, life is far too short to stress about picking wine when we can be drinking it instead.
Located in Haidhausen, by the ever-adorable Johannisplatz, the church bells can get pretty loud near Kim & Co. So, yes, there is a chance you might have to take a talking break or speak louder sometimes, but that’s the only thing close to a complaint I could come up with for this cute, quaint locale. The truth is, I don’t mind the bells at all.
With its wooden detailing and small dining room, Kim & Co exudes a charming, cozy vibe with alpine hints that perfectly suit the location’s double squirrel logo. The bar is large, the kitchen is visible, the terrace is unassuming, and stairs descend to a sleek-styled basement. The concept itself is simple: lots of wine bottles, a couple open wines, and a small weekly menu.
In my opinion, Kim & Co is the perfect place to catch up with an old friend, but some families and couples can be seen there as well. The setting is casual, but intimate; the surrounding neighborhood is cute and accessible; and the menu is customizable enough to fit any need. Whether you want to share a bottle, or sample the open wines, you’re bound to find something to your taste, and the staff is always available for a recommendation. You can pair your wine with a small appetizer, a sweet treat, a cheese platter, or the three-course menu. The choice is up to you. At Kim & Co, the point is to relax with good wine, good food, and good company.
On my own short sojourn at Kim & Co, I decided to try the three-course menu with a variation of the open wines—mostly because my companion wanted a bottle of red and I wanted a bottle of white, so thoughts of sharing flew out the red-trimmed windows. As an appetizer, we shared the grilled vegetable antipasti with pesto and parmesan. A mainstay in the Kim & Co menu, the portioning was more than generous, and the taste was delectably fresh. My companion chose another menu mainstay for his main-course: the Backhendl. A vast set of chicken strips with potato salad and lemon remoulade were presented upon a long wooden tablet. The chicken was tender and crisp, and the portion was more than large enough to satisfy any appetite alone. I myself ordered the flank steak with topinambour mousse and king trumpet mushrooms. I’d never tried topinambour—otherwise known as Jerusalem artichoke or sunchoke—but this nutty and sweet root vegetable quickly won me over. I’m an official fan now. Spread under a large pile of steak stripes, I found the dish absolutely satisfying. For dessert, I ordered a perfectly descent crème brûlée—I’ve never been known to resist a crème brûlée—with a delightful raspberry sorbet over berry ragout.
Overall, I’d say I was happy to find a place to go when beer doesn’t quite hit the spot. I look forward to a lot of happy evenings meeting there with girlfriends for a quick gossip-fest or my S.O. for a casual date night.
As always, let me know what you think when you check it out. Also, tell me, where do you go for your wine-fix? I’m always looking for a new go-to spot.
Kim + Co. Winebar
Johannispl. 11
81667 München
