Kaffee in Berlin series: #9 EINSTEIN in Quartier 206 (neue/wieder Eröffnung)

EINSTEIN in Quartier 206

As you may be aware if you live in Berlin, Einstein Coffee is a Berlin chain of Coffee Houses, starting I believe with the original Einstein Villa in Schöneberg.

Now in Quartier 206 (C) MJT

The Einstein new opening on Friedrichstrasse in Quartier 206 is a welcome return to the area, as it was one of my original haunts when I first moved to Berlin.

Kaffee Einstein (C) MJT

Living long distance, I would spend hours each day skyping back to Australia in the cosy Coffee Shop close to my work. However the manager/owner decided to move to Savignyplatz, and the lease was taken over by a watch store (a watch store!! really??!! it was the best coffee for blocks!) However, Einstein Kaffee have now re-opened after a number of delays on the opposite side of the street in the centre of Quartier 206 in a much bigger store with upstairs seating. Directions here:

Espresso macchiato (C) MJT

While this is still a chain, the friendliness of the staff (particularly the manager) and the loyalty cards, makes this an extremely reliable place to grab a quick espresso, or if you are on a skype date enjoy a larger beverage such as the hot chocolate, or even for a lunch of cous cous salad or panini.

A quick espresso macchiato date (C) MJT

My only reservation is that the prices are slightly too high for a chain (particularly on lunch food) and there are now more places around Berlin to get good coffee. Given that the location is tourist central and Quartier 206 is considered hoighty-toighty, this is perhaps not so surprising.

Care of www.einstein-kaffee.de

In summary, EINSTEIN Kaffee in Quartier 206 comes in at a good recommendation, particularly if you are in the area around Checkpoint Charlie or Gendarmenmarkt and need a refresher:

Coffee: ★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Recommended Drink: Espresso macchiato or Hot Chocolate

Price: €1,80 or €3,50

Best Quality: Wifi, Service (particularly the manager) and atmosphere (now upstairs seating and in Quartier 206)

Kaffee in Berlin series: #4 Ampelmann Shop

AMPELMANN SHOP UNTER DEN LINDEN

Amidst the building works currently disguising Unter den Linden at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse now stands yet another Ampelmann Shop. To describe what that is and why it is signifcant to Berlin I will leave for another blogpost. However I do wish to make mention of the coffee that is now available at this particular location.

(C) MJT

Firstly it should be known that Unter den Linden is a tourist hotspot, being the boulevard linking two of Berlin's iconic landmarks - the TV tower at Alexanderplatz, with the Brandenburg Gate at the entrance to the Tiergarten. As such, most of the shops and restaurants in this vicinity cater to a tourist market and so prices are often inflated. 

One of the biggest reliefs when the renovated Ampelmann Shop opened on this particular corner, was that their prices remained consistent with their other shops, and that the coffee is not only good value, but actually quite nice. 

(C) MJT

Within the shop itself they have a coffee wagon, with benches and tables nearby where you can rest while drinking your coffee (although, I doubt you would linger, as one is still inside the ampelmann shop...) and it has an interesting indoor/outdoor feel with the fake cobblestones and crossing lights. 

(C) MJT

It was curiosity that initially drew me in to sample their "introductory rate" of coffee (at the time, only €1 for an espresso - what it really should be anywhere in Europe!) and not only was I pleasantly surprised, but I was shocked that a "non-coffee" chain in a densely tourist populated area could  produce such a satisfying espresso. The prices have since risen 50 cents, which brings the Espresso to €1,50 and the cappuccino to €2,50 - however those are quite standard prices in Berlin. And cheaper compared to many other options on Unter den Linden.

(C) MJT

So if travelling-by on your Berlin sight-seeing tour, be assured that this is a reasonable coffee pit stop, and most likely you will then be encouraged to pick up some truly Berlin souvenirs in the Ampelmann Shop itself. Corner of Friedrichstrasse and Unter den Linden (Part of the Westin Grand building) (Directions here)

And for the history of the Ampelmann and the cult that has grown out of it, check out their website here: http://ampelmann.de/

Finally, they also offer a loyalty card with stamps - 10th coffee free!

(C) MJT

In summary, the Ampelmann Shop Coffee comes in at a good recommendation, particularly given the location being a tourist area:

Coffee: ★★★☆

Service: ★★★★ 

Atmosphere: ★★☆
Recommended Drink: Espresso or Cappuccino
Price: €1,50 or €2,50
Best quality: The effort in creating the store and the coffee wagon.

Kaffee in Berlin series: #3 Café BRAVO

CAFÈ BRAVO

Located on the very hip street of August Strasse in Mitte, Café BRAVO is situated in the courtyard of KW 69 - an art exhibition space (Kunst Werk).

(C) MJT

We particularly enjoy coming to this cafe for many reasons. 

Firstly the location is very central to the heart of Berlin's Mitte. Close to the intersection of Tucholsky Strasse, near S-Bahn Station Oranienburger Strasse, and only 5 minutes walk to the Northern part of Friedrichstrasse. (Directions here)

Care of KW

Care of KW

Secondly, the Hof (courtyard) is extremely pleasant to sit and enjoy the quiet (off the main street) and on a sunny day, the umbrellas and trees still provide enough relief from the fierce sun.

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

The traditional 19th Century architecture of Kunst-Werk is artfully contrasted by Café BRAVO's modern glass structure - perfect for those winter days in Berlin, fully equipped with magazines for your leisure time. 

Care of www.bravomitte.de

Care of www.bravomitte.de

(C) MJT

And above all we visit for the coffee itself - a smooth, well rounded blend with just the right amount of frothed milk for a cappuccino. Particularly well suited to Melbourne tastes. 

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

An ideal space to visit for an afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen, or a midday soup, panini - or a stop between visiting all the exhibitions at KW. More information of which you can find here: 
http://www.kw-berlin.de and for the Café itself: http://www.bravomitte.de/

(C) MJT

In summary, Café BRAVO comes in at a very, very high recommendation:
Coffee: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★★☆
Atmosphere: ★★★★★
Recommended Drink: Cappuccino
Price: €2,30
Best Quality: Atmosphere and Peacefulness

Leave a comment if you have visited KW also!
M

Gendarmenmarkt Weihnachtsmarkt

A CLOSER LOOK AT ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MARKETS

In my last blog post I described our general experience leading up to and including Christmas, which didn't give me a chance to explain in greater detail the Christmas markets in Germany. 

ⓒ MJT

The Christmas market, or Weihnachtsmarkt, in the centre of Berlin at Gendarmenmarkt is one of our favourite places to visit during December. It is one of the few markets that remain open for the few days after Christmas. 

ⓒ MJT

Gendarmenmarkt is in the centre of Berlin on Charlottenstrasse (near Friedrichstrasse) and Franzözischestrasse. The site was originally the area where a number french cavalry defected from Napolean's army and settled. Hence the area of the cuirassier of Gens d'Armes was germanified to Gen-darmen-markt (square/market). 

View to Franzözischer Dom ⓒ MJT

The Huguenot community built their cathedral, now the Franzözischer Dom (French Cathedral), between 1701-1705 and is mirrored by the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) on the opposite side of the square, commissioned by the emperor as a gesture of respect. 

Towards Deutscher Dom ⓒ MJT

In the middle of the square between the two Dom-s is the Konzerthaus (Concert House) designed by Schinkel (who was the architect for many buildings in Berlin, including the Altes Museum).

Konzerthaus ⓒ MJT

As for the Weihnachtsmarkt itself, it opens in the last week of November and finishes on New Years Eve. Unlike most of the Christmas markets there is an entry fee of €1 (considered outrageous by many Berlin locals), however we consider it worthwhile, as it is a very safe, completely enclosed, and very well presented. If you can't bring yourself to pay the entry fee, Monday to Friday there is free entry 11am to 2pm. 

 

 

Christmas Market Gendarmenmarkt ⓒ MJT

There are your typical Weihnachtsmarkt foods, such as the compulsory Glühwein (malt wine) - with souvenir mug (or simply €3 deposit), Bratwurst or other sausage delicacies, and sweet crepes (usually with Nutella). However at the Gendarmenmarkt Weihnachtsmarkt one  has a selection of wood fired breads, Raclette (melted cheese on toast from Switzerland, but a very common New Years Eve dinner), dried apple crisps, pesto selections and indoor Wine Bars (eg from Lafayette) or Italian restaurants. Quarkbällchen are a common German dessert, and essentially a dougnat-like but cottage-cheese based, deep fried ball covered with powder sugar. Extremely healthy and nutritious of course...

Glühwein Stand ⓒ MJT

Glühwein ⓒ MJT

Raclette ⓒ MJT

Quarkbällchen ⓒ MJT

Indoor Wine Bar ⓒ MJT

Indoor tent with Chandeliers ⓒ MJT

A benefit of the Gendarmenmarkt Weihnachtsmarkt is that a third of the market is actually indoors (ideal for those cold, windy, snowy days in December) and shelters a number of hand made crafts and wares. People are often sitting at their stall making their wares before your eyes, including wood carvings, leather goods, weavers, knitters, wrought iron, art and more. 

Traditional Wooden Christmas Decorations ⓒ MJT

Tapestry weaver working at the far end ⓒ MJT

Undercover art and carvings stalls ⓒ MJT

Back outdoors there is the monument to the philosopher and writer Schiller standing in the centre of the square and the centre of the market, with an outdoor stage on the steps of the Konzerthaus (for both live bands, children's plays and general market entertainment). 

Schiller Monument ⓒ MJT

The giant Christmas tree stands high above the rest of the market and is donated each year by the mayor of Berlin. 

Weihnachtsbaum ⓒ MJT

Vor dem Weihnachtsbaum ⓒ MJT

And as in every Christmas market, there should be a nativity scene:

Nativity scene at Gendarmenmarkt ⓒ MJT

 

So until next year when the Gendarmenmarkt Weihnachtsmarkt returns, wishing you all the best for 2014 and if you have any suggestions of what you would like me to write about in Berlin, please leave a comment below. 

ⓒ MJT