"Cookies Cream may wield a Michelin star, but as you walk up to the entrance — in an alleyway delivery dock — it’s clear the restaurant isn’t your typical exemplar of fine dining selected by a tire company. Owner Heinz “Cookie” Gindullis’s background in the Berlin club scene is evident in the vibe, with hot red banquettes and industrial-chic exposed concrete (not to mention a large painting of a German expletive). The anything-goes approach extends to chef Nicholas Hahn’s outré, all-vegetarian, lineup (a small a la carte selection and a tasting menu), which includes items like potato ceviche or a dish of red peppers infused into items like chips and ice cream. The mostly natural wines are paired with superb care, but it’s worth choosing the option to mix a wine pairing with the restaurant’s non-alcoholic drinks to get a taste of some of the team’s creative, house-made juices and ferments." - Tim Forster