The Award for Hospitality was presented to the best catering establishments at a festive gala in Dresden at the weekend. The Cologne bar Grace & Grape came out on top in Germany. The high-calibre jury of experts stated: ‘The Grace & Grape Bar has shown in an unbeatable way how the art of hospitality and ambience go hand in hand. The bar knows how to present tradition with innovation in a harmonious balance. It promises a feel-good atmosphere for guests and sets new standards in the catering industry.’
The aim behind Grace & Grape is not to reinvent the bar, but to create a relaxed place for everyone. Owner Stephan Hinz explains: ‘We want to lower the inhibitions that classic wine or cocktail bars often entail. We call it casual glamour: cultivated enjoyment in a casual setting. Top quality, but without all the fuss. The combination of cocktail bar and wine bar also means that nobody has to change locations just because they fancy something different. Everyone can find their favourite drink here, even non-alcoholic!’ With the award-winning Little Link bar and extravagant events and catering, Hinz and his team have made their mark on top gastronomy over the last ten years. But things are surprisingly casual at Grace & Grape.
Over 20 open wines invite guests to discover and taste, from uncomplicated Pinot Blanc to specialities such as pear or apple sparkling wine. Each wine is described in detail on the menu so that even newcomers can easily find their way around. The bar team is also happy to help at any time. In addition to high-quality classics, the cocktails focus on a low-threshold selection of light aperitifs with a reduced alcohol content. Hinz explains: ‘Our penchant for the aromatic range of grapes plays a major role in the selection of ingredients, from verjus to port wine and crémant. We vary classics in new ways and, for example, give the orange and crémant mimosa a spicy upgrade with saffron and chilli. Instead of the usual supermarket products, we use high-quality natural aperitifs for our Spritz variations and serve drinks such as the Ricordino Spritz with ricordino, orange blossom, rosemary, lemon and crémant. In this way, we create the right balance of creativity, quality and accessibility without overwhelming insecure guests.’
There are also creative bar snacks. The focus is on homemade tarte flambée: Creations with the best ingredients, at the cutting edge - such as the tarte flambée extravaganza with Serrano ham, tomato snow, olive chutney, truffle cream and Emmental cheese. Despite the sometimes unusual combinations of ingredients, Grace & Grape is not a bar where food or drinks have to be explained at length. Whatever tastes good is allowed. Stephan Hinz explains: ‘Even though we love unusual products, we see ourselves as a place for the neighbourhood, where anyone can drop by in the evening for dinner, an after-work drink or to celebrate a birthday.’
This convinced the jury of the hospitality award. Now you can see for yourself: Grace & Grape is open from 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 4 p.m. on Sundays or can be booked for your next business event!