In the middle of nowhere 

Not far to the east of Apolda, past fields, fruit trees and meadows, a stylishly designed sign in soft shades of purple suddenly points the way to one of the top restaurants in Weimarer Land. Chef Felix Thomas and his guests, who often travel a long way to get there, agree that Restaurant Venerius is a discovery. 

From employee in luxury hotel to own restaurant 

Chef Felix Thomas greets his guests warmly and answers the first puzzled question about the restaurant name "Venerius. It comes from Latin, he explains, and simply means "sensual. The name is the program here, describes the chef, for whom high quality is his personal standard in the kitchen. Since his culinary training and various stations in Australia and Germany - including at the luxury hotel Ritz Carlton Berlin - cooking means "passion!" to him. "Going on a voyage of discovery with products, perceiving them and tasting what can be made from them" is his motto.

Whether classic, international or crossover, his current cooking style is characterized by typical regional dishes with his own interpretation. He relies on seasonal and regional products from the Weimar region. Every month there is a new menu, which also creates incentives for Felix again and again and ensures a successful variety for the guests. 

Traditional culinary craftsmanship paired with creative lightness 

A visit to the Venerius Restaurant is best described by a quote from the French officer François VI Duc de La Rochefoucauld: "Eating is a need, enjoying is an art." The team at Venerius is also dedicated to this motto. "The art is to bring the different flavors into harmony and to create ever new taste experiences, but at the same time to reinforce the origin, the natural taste," Felix Thomas describes his own aspiration. With his restaurant, he wants to make an active contribution to establishing Weimarer Land as a culinary stronghold. Strict critics have long since recognized that he and his team are succeeding in this. Venerius has made it into the international ranks of restaurants recommended by the Gault & Millau restaurant guide.