Restaurant - Restaurant MASTAN

The simplest dishes reveal true mastery. The Kreuzberg restaurant Mastan takes up this challenge and brings fine bistronomy to Berlin. The former head chef of "Aux Lyonnais - Alain Ducasse" - Yann Mastantuono - has left Paris to fulfill his dream in Berlin: a restaurant of his own that combines contemporary French bistro cuisine with the traditions of the South of France. Born in Marseille, he grew up with the cuisine of the south of France and matured into a master of bistro cooking thanks to Alain Ducasse. The cuisine of the Mastan restaurant combines the style of contemporary French bistros with the traditions of the south - Provence, the Mediterranean and the diverse regions of south-west France.

Thanks to creative ideas, craftsmanship at the highest level and regional products, Mastan brings the typical joie de vivre of the neighboring country and the simplicity of bistro cuisine with fine dining techniques to the point.

Owners Yann Mastantuono, chef, and Dorothée Louise Recker, painter (All photos Florian Kroll)

The seasons and harvests determine what is served on the table. Yann Mastantuono maintains close contact with producers and farmers from the region in order to create subtle nuances, intense flavors and authenticity with products that are as natural as possible. The menu is therefore determined by regional products that express the French recipes in their own way. In addition, the wine list at Mastan offers a well-stocked selection of organic and natural wines. Yann Mastantuono also attaches great importance to personal contact with the winegrowers.

As is customary in French bistros, there is also a bar in the "Le Zinc" tradition, where guests can enjoy typical specialties such as cheese and sausage with their wine. Whether at the white-clothed tables, on the beautiful terrace or at the simple bar: at Mastan, the focus is on joie de vivre and enjoyment, so you can forget about everyday life for a few hours.

Chef and owner Yann Mastantuono

After his training and initial experience in sophisticated kitchens in his home city of Marseille, Yann Mastantuono moved to Paris. There he got to know and love bistro cuisine. He honed his technical skills and his knowledge of regional produce, particularly as head chef at the restaurant "Le Verre Volé Sur Mer". The former wine shop is considered a pioneer when it comes to natural wine and the kitchen is also brash and adventurous. In 2016, 3-star chef Alain Ducasse brought Mastantuono on board and entrusted him with his parisian restaurant "Aux Lyonnais" as head chef. There, Mastantuono was able to further develop his experience with first-class bistro cuisine and at the same time acquire comprehensive skills for managing a top restaurant. After this intensive period, which earned him recognition in the French gourmet scene, he finally wanted to open his own restaurant - in Berlin, whose exciting gastronomic scene he had become increasingly enthusiastic about during numerous visits.

Restaurant manager and artist Dorothée Louise Recker

Dorothée is Yann Mastantuono's partner and closest collaborator. The Norwegian-born Franco-German, a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, made her debut as an artist in Berlin before meeting Yann in France. She joined the project as a matter of course and now supports him as administrative manager and in the day-to-day organization of the restaurant. She has also taken on the design of the interior - from putting together a few works of art and old mirrors to her own mural, which stretches the entire length of the restaurant room. Like him, she grew up in the south of France, and they both share a love of good food, wine and the French way of life. Dorothée continues her career as an artist at the same time. Her work is represented by Galerie Lætitia Gorsy at the Leipziger Spinnerei.