A Dish Best Served Cold

"" is the third episode of Season 3 of Grimm and the forty-seventh episode overall. It first aired on November 8, 2013 on NBC.

Synopsis
A doctor and nurse monitor Nick as he goes through physical tests, including running on a treadmill hooked up to devices to monitor his heart rate. The doctor increases the speed and steepness of the running machine, but Nick's heart rate remains constant. When the tests are finished, the doctor tells Nick that his heart rate and blood pressure barely change no matter what, saying either the machine is broken, or Nick is in really good shape. When asked, Nick blames it on "work being stressful lately".

Monroe and Rosalee are having a dinner date together at a restaurant. Monroe subtly tries to invite Rosalee to move in with him, as a waiter brings them each a beef and truffle tartlet as compliments of chef Ostler. Rosalee eats hers, but Monroe can only gaze wistfully - he cannot eat the meat. Rosalee messes with Monroe, pretending not to understand his hidden meanings, before agreeing. Both exchange loving words, before Monroe's old friend, Sam, walks past, with his wife Kimber. They greet each other warmly, before Sam and Kimber take their leave.

A man stumbles around in the forest, ripping off his coat and holding his stomach in pain. He leans against a tree and unbuttons his shirt, revealing a very bloated stomach, before turning around and frantically climbing the tree.

Nick tells Juliette about the physical at their house . She is slightly worried, bring up the night when his pulse slowed so much she thought he was dead. Juliette suggests that the toxin may still be affecting him, differently from others, because of his Grimm lineage. Since they can't tell the doctor the truth, all they can do is monitor him and hope it's temporary. Nick claim that he is more aware and in control, suggesting it to be a psychological issue, but Juliette expresses her worry, saying she isn't letting him go far for awhile. They kiss and Nick says he thinks he is feeling better already.

The man in the woods is sitting in the tree still in pain. His stomach is making noise and he is grunting. He woges into a Blutbad. His stomach makes more noise and then explodes.

Nick arrives at the precinct, and is about to sit down when Hank tells him not to get comfortable; a man whose stomach burst open on a tree has been found. They head over to the scene. A Forest Ranger escorts Nick, Hank, and Wu to the tree with the man's body. They are all at a loss of how he ended up in the tree in such bad shape. They suggest maybe a bear or mountain lion got him. Nick notices that whatever got him, got him in the tree since chunks of the man's guts are on the ground below.

Captain Renard receives a call from Sebastien. In French, Sebastien briefs Renard on the happenings in Vienna: the police are searching Eric's castle but haven't found anything yet. The family is cooperating as far as the police know, but are fighting amongst themselves and things may get bloodier before the throne is taken. Sebastien informs Sean that some people think Eric was murdered by the Resistance while others think it was another Family. They note that Frau Pech will be looking for someone else to make a deal for the baby with. Sebastien says that he has not heard from her lately, and Renard tells him that it is probably time he did. Sebastien agrees, but has to leave abruptly due to someone approaching.

It is Adalind, who asks if the police know who killed Eric yet. Sebastien says they do not. Adalind asks who will take Eric's place, and the reply is, "the last Royal standing." Satisfied and amused, Adalind walks away.

At the crime scene, the man is out of the tree. Wu drily comments that the man is ironically an organ donor, although no one is likely to want his organs now. Wu says he will go run his name as Nick and Hank examine the body, befuddled and without any leads.

Nick and Hank go back to the precinct to question the hysterical wife of the dead man. She tells them that nothing was out of the ordinary the morning before he died as they both went to work, but did not talk to each other because they were both busy. She called the office when the husband was an hour late from work, but they told her he had left early. She then called the police. Hanks asks her if everything was going okay with their marriage and she says yes - they had just gone out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary.

At a park, a young man and a young woman jog off of the path up to a tree and start making out. Blood drips onto the woman, and they look up and see a woman with an exploded stomach dead in the tree.

Nick is at his desk looking at the DMV info on his computer of the man he killed when he was in his zombie-like state. He gets up and goes to Captain Renard's office. Nick confides that he is still bothered and beginning to remember.

Renard coldly wonders what's really bothering Nick: "The fact that you killed somebody, or the fact that you killed somebody who wasn't Wesen?", reminding Nick that he has killed plenty of them - "That's what you Grimms do, isn't it?" Nick is left speechless as Renard exits. Nick returns to his desk, and as he sits down, Hank informs him about another "tree-hugger".

They head to the park where the body is. Wu is there and tells them they found her car abandoned nearby with the door open and her purse inside. Nick and Hank look up at the body and wonder, since it is the same MO, what the connection between the victims is. Wu takes them to the victim's car, and they look inside. They find her wallet with some receipts. They look at them all and notice that she recently went to dinner at Raven & Rose. Hank remembers that the first victim went out to dinner with his wife to celebrate their anniversary, so Hank calls the wife to ask her what restaurant they went to and she tells him it was Raven & Rose.

Nick and Hank go back to the precinct. Hank is looking up info on the head chef at Raven & Rose, Graydon Ostler. Hank reads that he is a celebrated, award winning chef and restaurateur who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and the ICC in Munich. He recently returned from Europe to open the Raven & Rose. Nick and Hank decide that they should go to Raven & Rose and talk to Chef Ostler.

In Rosaliengebirge, Austria, Sebastien breaks into Frau Pech's home looking for information about where she is. After looking around a bit, he finds a notebook and reads through it. He calls Renard who asks him if he has found Frau Pech. Sebastien says that he has been unable to find her in Vienna, and Renard says she may have left Austria to find a buyer for the child. Sebastien says she may not have left because he found a note that says Sacher 215, which he assumes is the name of a hotel and the room number. Renard tells him to find out who is in that room and hangs up.

Nick and Hank arrive at Raven & Rose and knock on the door because the restaurant is not open yet. The waiter lets them in when he realizes they are cops. Hank says they need to speak with Graydon Ostler, and the waiter says he gets pretty stressed right before they serve dinner. They hear someone yelling from the kitchen and go check it out. They watch as Ostler is yelling at his chefs for not doing things the right away. He tells them cooking is an art not carpentry and slams a butcher knife into a cutting board. He woges into a Bauerschwein and the four chefs he is yelling at do the same. Hank notices the way Nick is looking at them and asks what he sees. He tells them that they are all Bauerschwein. Nick and Hank talk to Ostler and show him the images of the two people who died recently. Ostler says he doesn't recognize either one and asks what this is about. Nick tells him they both died and Ostler is shocked that they think their deaths were related to his restaurant. Ostler says they had the health inspector in a month ago, and he gave them perfect scores. He also shows them the menu that says they ask if the customer has any food allergies and the menu warns of ingredients such as raw eggs and shellfish. Nick and Hank says they need a list of all the employees to see if they knew the victims and they also needed to know what the victims ate at the restaurant.

Nick and Hank go back to the precinct to look over the new information they gathered. They discover the two victims ordered different meals and that none of the employees including Chef Ostler have a criminal record. Wu brings the tox screens for both of the victims and tells Nick and Hank that the results showed no known pathogens, poisons, or toxins, so they have nothing.

Nick and Juliette are making dinner and Juliette says the way the victims died sounds like an extreme form of gastric dilatation volvulus which is bloat. Many animals like dogs and cattle get it, and it is breed specific. Nick asks about the volvulus part, and Juliette says "that's when the stomach gets twisted around the longitudinal axis of the digestive tract." Nick says he wonders since it is breed specific that victims in the case may be the same breed. He wonders if they could have been Blutbaden since the kitchen staff were all Bauerschwein, but it's impossible to find out now that they are dead. Juliette asks why he would think they were Blutbaden. Nick briefly tells her about the feud between Blutbaden and Bauerschwein. Nick then wonders since it is a restaurant and anyone could eat there, how would they know who was a Blutbad and what they were ordering. Juliette tells him he should think about it on his way to Monroe's house because he is moving out that night.

Monroe, and Nick bring Nick's stuff down stairs and Monroe says it will be weird not having Nick around all the time anymore. Nick thanks Monroe for letting him stay while the Juliette thing was going on. Nick remembers he forgot his toothbrush and heads to go get it. He asks Monroe if he has heard about Raven & Rose, and Monroe tells him that he and Rosalee just ate there, and it is spectacular. Nick asks if Monroe knew that it is run by Bauerschwein and Monroe asks why it should matter since lots of Wesen own restaurants although he wouldn't eat at a restaurant owned by a Schneetmacher. They head to the front door because Nick says he has everything. Monroe says he will help and gives Nick two boxes while he grabs a bag. When Nick asks if he can open the door, Monroe tells him he isn't leaving yet. He takes one of the boxes from Nick and Rosalee, Juliette, Hank, and Bud come from the kitchen and yell "SURPRISE!". They tell him it's a party for his leaving and Bud tells Nick his wife even made a cake. They all go into the kitchen to cut the cake. Monroe begins making a toast when the phone rings. Rosalee says she will get it, and Monroe finishes his toast to Nick. Rosalee tells Monroe that Kimber is on the phone and that something has happened to Sam. Monroe takes the phone to talk to Kimber. Rosalee tells everyone that she just met Sam and Kimber the other night. She tells them that Kimber is very concerned because Sam hasn't come home, and he isn't answering his phone. Monroe comes back to the group and tells them that Kimber said he didn't feel well that morning, but went to work anyway, and now she can't find him. Nick asks if Sam ate at Raven & Rose and when Monroe says yes, Nick asks if he is a Blutbad. Monroe says yes and asks why Nick is wondering. Nick tells them about the case they are working on and tells Monroe the names of the two victims, asking if he knows either of them. He says he knows the male victim and that he was also a Blutbad. Nick asks Monroe if he feels okay, and he says yes. Rosalee asks how the victims died, and Juliette tells them it is like gastric dilatation volvulus, and that basically their insides burst. Rosalee says that sounds familiar and she needs to get to the Spice Shop.

Near Washington Park, Sam parks his vehicle and gets out holding his stomach. He walks into the forest as his stomach makes noises.

At the spice shop, Rosalee pulls out a book and says she knew she had heard of it. It is called Völlige Verzweiflung or the black despair mushroom. She reads that the mushroom is rare and mostly found in the black forest. It is similar to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis from the tropics, "which attacks carpenter ants, causing them to climb into trees where their insides burst, spreading the fungal spores. When eaten raw the mushrooms are harmless, but when cooked they release a toxin fatal to Blutbaden." Monroe tries to remember if he had any mushrooms at Raven & Rose. Rosalee remembers that the tartlets that were compliments of the chef had mushrooms. They weren't on the menu and everyone got one, but Monroe didn't eat his because it had meat. Hank receives a call telling him Sam's car was found off the road near Washington Park. Hank, Nick, and Monroe leave the spice shop to look for Sam.

Sam is running through the park still in pain. He falls to the ground and lays on his back as his stomach rumbles and makes noise causing him to woge.

Nick, Hank, and Monroe arrive to where Sam's car is, and an officer is already there waiting for them. They hear growling coming from the forest. Nick tells the officer to call the paramedics and stay with the car. Nick, Hank, and Monroe go into the forest with flashlights and look for Sam in the trees. They finally find him and Sam woges and howls before his stomach explodes.

The paramedics and more officers arrive to the scene and take Sam's body away. Monroe watches as Sam's body is loaded into a vehicle and tells Nick that he is "going to kill that Bauerschwein." Nick says there is still no evidence that the chef knew what he was doing. Monroe counters by saying he is a Bauerschwein, and this is a time where they can't wait to find evidence. He tells Nick, "either you take care of this, or I will." because he doesn't want to lose anymore friends.

At Raven & Rose, the waiter tells Chef Ostler that one of the detectives is there again. Ostler leaves the kitchen and goes to meet with Nick. Nick tells him there has been another death of someone who ate at the restaurant. Ostler says he: "doubts it was anything they ordered", and Nick says "it wasn't. It wasn't on the menu. But everybody ate it, compliments of the chef." Nick tells him there was a special ingredient from the forests of Germany and asks if he has heard of "the Black Despair" which causes Ostler to woge and say "that is absurd." Nick says, "not for a Bauerschwein who's killing Blutbaden, it isn't." Ostler woges back to his human form, realizing Nick is a Grimm. Ostler tells him he can't prove that he killed anyone with a mushroom only deadly to Blutbaden. Nick tells him he was hoping he would confess because it's the right thing to do, but Ostler says no because he, and everyone who works for him has lost relatives to Blutbaden. Ostler tells Nick that this is about getting Blutbaden and Bauerschwein on equal footing so they don't have to live in constant fear. Ostler says he is going to ask Nick to leave and stands up to go back to the kitchen.

Juliette and Nick are discussing what happened, and Juliette says there is no way Nick can prove Ostler killed the Blutbaden even though he knows what he did. Juliette asks how he is going to stop this and Nick says he can't as a cop. Juliette asks if he is going to kill him and Nick says that is what his ancestors did. Juliette tells him that that won't stop it, and Nick says it won't stop it everywhere, but it will stop it in Portland. Nick tells her that if he doesn't do anything, then Monroe will, and he doesn't want him to go to jail for murder because that can be proven. Nick suddenly pauses and turns gray like he was doing in his sleep. Juliette grabs his arm and yells his name. Nick snaps out of it and asks what she is doing, and Juliette tells him "you're getting that look again" but Nick says he is fine.

At the spice shop, Monroe and Rosalee are talking about what happened to Sam and his other friend, saying they were both decent and never hunted Bauerschwein. Rosalee tells him he needs to calm down, but Monroe asks how he is supposed to, after just watching his friend explode in a tree. Rosalee says she doesn't want him to do anything crazy and that Nick said he would handle it. Monroe says Nick can't because this is between Blutbaden and Bauerschwein, and "if we let them get away with this, it will be open season on us." Nick walks in and tells them Chef Ostler knows exactly what he is doing because he talked with him to give him a chance to turn himself in. Rosalee asks what good is it if they know he is guilty, and Monroe says there is nothing he can do, at least as a cop. Monroe woges, and says he isn't letting them get away with this and leaves.

Adalind is in her hotel room on her laptop and opens up a news video about Eric's death. A bloody tear streams down her face. There is a knock at the door so she wipes her tear and closes her laptop. At the door is a waiter bringing her room service. She tells him she didn't order anything, and that it's a mistake. Off to the side, Sebastien takes a picture on his phone of Adalind and is surprised to find out she is the one in the hotel room from Frau Pech's notes.

At Raven & Rose, Chef Ostler opens up a box of Völlige Verzweiflungs. He pulls one out, smells it and smiles as he examines it. He closes the box and leaves the restaurant for the night. He walks around a corner, and a few seconds later Monroe follows. Ostler looks behind him and sees Monroe following. Nearby, multiple Blutbaden are closing in on Ostler. Ostler turns around again and sees Monroe is getting closer so he starts to run. He unknowingly runs into the trap set by Monroe and the other Blutbaden, and Monroe confronts him. Monroe slowly walks towards him, talking like he is going to eat Ostler. Monroe woges, which scares Ostler causing him to also woge and he tries to plead with Monroe. Nick and Hank suddenly drive up, and Monroe tries to run at Ostler, but Nick tackles him to the ground. Nick and Monroe start fighting while Hank runs up to Ostler so he doesn't run away. Monroe hits Nick to the ground, and grabs a metal barrel to throw at Nick, but Nick quickly gets up and points his gun at Monroe. Nick tells Monroe that he is under arrest and Monroe woges back into his human form. Ostler tells Nick he has to protect him, and Nick tells Monroe to put his hands on his head. Monroe says "not until we kill every last one of them" and one of the many Blutbaden surrounding them says "all Bauerschwein must die." Monroe stares Nick down and looks at Ostler. He starts to run forward, but Nick shoots him, and kills him. Ostler smiles and says "you killed him! Thank God." Nick says that "he didn't give me a choice." Hank walks over to Monroe and check the wound. Suddenly many Blutbaden start coming towards them. Nick tells Ostler they're everywhere, and the feud is ending now. Ostler tells Nick he has to get him out of there, but Nick says not until he confesses to the murders. Nick tells him if he doesn't, the Blutbaden coming towards them will kill every Bauerschwein that Ostler knows. Suddenly Monroe raises his head and says "there's nothing you can do to stop us." Nick looks at him, raises his eyebrow and Monroe lays his head back down, and closes his eyes. The Blutbaden start howling and growling. Hank says "oh man. There's a lot of them. We have to start thinking about ourselves here, Nick." Ostler pleads and says they can't leave him. Nick tells him "unless you confess, we gotta let nature take its course." Ostler looks around at all the growling Blutbaden and confesses to Nick and Hank that he killed the Blutbaden. Nick and Hank grabs his arms and walk him to the car. As they pull away, Monroe opens his eyes and smiles.

At the precinct, Ostler signs his confessions and scoffs. He asks Nick if he really thinks him admitting this will stop something that has been happening for centuries. Nick says no, but it is a start and leaves the room. Nick gives the confessions to Hank who then gives it to Renard, who was watching on the other side of the one way mirror with Monroe. Monroe tells Nick that he connected on some of his swings, and Nick tells him he did too. Renard looks at the signed confession and says "this little piggy went to jail."

Press Release
AN AGE OLD FEUD REACHES EXPLOSIVE NEW HEIGHTS -- A series of disturbing crime scenes leads Nick (David Giuntoli) and Hank (Russell Hornsby) to the resurrection of an old feud that’s all too familiar for Nick and Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell). With the news of a royal family member’s demise, several key players start to make their move. Meanwhile despite his recent trauma, Nick finds himself healthier than normal and Monroe and Rosalee (Bree Turner) talk about moving their relationship forward. Bitsie Tulloch, Sasha Roiz, Reggie Lee and Claire Coffee also star.

Wesen

 * Blutbad
 * Fuchsbau
 * Half-Zauberbiest
 * Bauerschwein
 * Eisbiber

Production Notes

 * Footage from and  was reused (flashbacks)

Continuity

 * Monroe and Rosalee profess their love and agree to live together at Monroe's Home.
 * Juliette's professional veterinary knowledge proves helpful in solving the murders.
 * Nick grows gray and cold as he first did in.

Trivia

 * The title is a reference to the old saying "revenge is a dish best served cold."