Since taking over the culinary reins from Joachim Wissler, Dennis Kuckuck, his long-time sous-chef and trusted colleague, has continued to uphold the high standards of this elegant fine dining restaurant. The cuisine, based on the French classics and rounded out with modern influences, is a real treat for diners – think wonderfully tender, poached and lightly flambéed winter cod, served with salmon roe and a buttery vin jaune sauce with savoury spruce shoot oil. Here, they know just how to bring out the natural flavours of the superb ingredients. The dishes have a clear structure and harmoniously balanced contrasts. Both of the set menus – one with meat and fish, the other vegetarian – are available as five- or seven-course meals. You might decide to opt for the wine pairings or the alcohol-free alternatives devised to go with the set menu. Either way, the excellent wine list is well worth perusing. Service comes courtesy of a proficient and attentive front-of-house team. What better way to round off the evening after a MICHELIN-starred meal than an overnight stay at the luxe Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, in which the restaurant is located?