Lucy's The Deli

Lucy's The Deli

Finally a new cafe has moved into the long-unoccupied space at Torstrasse 116 near Rosenthaler Platz. "Hermann's" had a couple of successful years, but has been vacant for quite a time, which has been a loss to the area, as it has one of the biggest physical spaces in the area. 

Thankfully "Lucy's The Deli" has arrived (moving down the hill from Brunnenstrasse) and the atmosphere is very calm, with friendly staff and good food and drink. Much of the layout, furniture, and ambience has been inherited from "Hermann's" - all the better though, since it is very open, spacious, and calming. There are even booths if needing to work a little. 

For all those looking for vegetarian or vegan options, you will find a great selection of fresh options. And there are a couple of Keto options too, if you ask nicely. 

Being summer, I can definitely recommend the iced-matcha latte and the protein balls (different flavours available).  

Here's wishing Lucy's The Deli a strong survival, but not at the loss of the current atmosphere and vibe. 

Kaffee in Berlin series: #12 Röststätte Berlin

Café Name: Röststätte Berlin

Care of pro-macchina.com

Address: Ackerstrasse 173, 10115 Berlin
(Near Rosenthaler Platz) 

Google Maps: Röststätte Berlin

Transport (BVG): 
U8 (Rosenthaler Platz)
Bus 142 (Torstrasse/Tucholskystr or Rosenthaler Platz)
S1, S2, S25 (Oranienburger Strasse)

Website Link: Facebook

Coffee selection: Filterkaffee, Espresso Macchiato, Americano, Cappuccino, Cortado, Flat White, Latte, Iced Black, Iced Latte

Coffee sampled: Cappuccino

Cost: €2,80

Extra Shot:

Taste: Rich, creamy espresso blend. Very satisfying and fresh.
 
Wait-time: Though the cafe part is quite small, one can usually get a table either inside or out on the street, or occasionally can spill into the espresso machine shop area. (There is also a whole shop area dedicated for coffee lover courses). 

Friendliness of Staff: Very polite, multicultural, and efficient. 

Facilities (Toilets): Possibly one of the smallest toilets that you can find, but stylish and clean nonetheless. 

Ambience and Seating: Very stylish and smart layout. The coffee making area specifically, but for such a small space it is very well designed. Lounges, tables, benches and window seating. Plus outside on the street (a narrow, short street). Daily newspapers for perusal.

Dogs allowed inside: Yes

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Yes, from a specific filtered water tap next to the barista machine.

Wifi: Yes, ask at the counter. 

Hint: The Cortado is similar to an antipodean style Café Latté (less milk than a cappuccino, served in a glass). 

General remarks: One of my favourite and regular places. Take-away quite efficient with Keep-A-Cups available for purchase. Their Arabian coffee beans are fair-trade ethical and roasted on site. 

Score: 9.5 / 10

Care of www.foursquare.com

Mikkeller Opening

Mikkeller Opening 

If you have visited Rosenthaler Platz in the past two years, you will have noticed that it has been a hive of construction and gentrification activity. I have lost count of the number of eateries and shops that have opened, since closed, been renovated and reopened as other business since living in the area.

Long overdue, the stretch along Torstrasse from St Oberholz to Schmittz is having a face lift and an abundance of new businesses are on the verge of opening their doors. 

It was unfortunate to see "Jean and Lily" homewares depart the area, but a new trendy-looking Deli has since taken its place. And the outdated "Fleischerei / Currywurst" dive is having a complete overhaul after lying vacant for at least 18 months. 

Then there is Torstrasse 102. A large commercial space that has been everything from Vintage clothes, to aethiest shoes, to outlets, and also vacant for more than 12 months. Suffering perhaps from being on the curve of Torstrasse, one has to be just that bit more adventurous to walk further away from Rosenthaler Platz to find it. And until now there has not been anything specific to lure people to the location.

BUT THE WAIT IS OVER!!!

Tomorrow 18.03.2017 the Grand Opening of "Mikkeller" will introduce residents and tourists alike to the assortment of Danish-brewed craft beer. 

http://mikkeller.dk/event/mikkeller-berlin-grand-opening/

The friendly staff, builders and general manager have been working at an incredible pace to get the bar ready to receive thirsty Berliners on Saturday, and the work and design has indeed paid off.

A few progress pictures from their website give you an idea of how welcoming and astutely designed the place has been transformed:

http://mikkeller.dk/location/mikkeller-berlin/

http://mikkeller.dk/location/mikkeller-berlin/

For directions to Torstrasse 102, click here:

And to more information about their Grand Opening, have a look at their facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/mikkellerberlin/

One hopes that the venture is a success, and certainly we will be joining in the celebrations of the Grand Opening tomorrow afternoon to sample some of the Danish beers on offer. Prost!!

MJT.

Japanese food in Berlin: #2 Hashi

Hashi - Japanese Kitchen

Only two years ago the ground floor of a brand new building between Rosenthalerplatz and Weinbergsweg opened its doors as a Japanese restaurant, named Hashi. Directions here:

(C) MJT

We had frequented this new restaurant off-and-on during its beginnings - bento box lunch deals, tapas-like dinners and sushi.

(C) MJT

Glad to say, Hashi is still here and they have managed to adjust and cater very well to their clientele, and it is now a place that we go if we want to make it a special dinner out.

Rosenthaler Strasse (C) MJT

The effort that has gone into the design and decor must be mentioned, as the ceiling is an extremely admirable piece of art. Thousands of chopsticks have been sewn together so as to appear floating in mid-air, creating a forest effect.

Hand stained chopsticks (C) MJT

Wave of chopsticks (C) MJT

According to the details mentioned in the menu, the installation was designed by Bjørn Hoffmann and Sofia Borges of Affect Studio. The chopstick forest (Hashi Mori) is created out of 15,454 hand stained and threaded chopsticks, 57,400 knots and over 20 kilometres of nylon to suspend it all together. 

Chopstick forest (C) MJT

As for the food itself, most of the sushi and tapas plates are served on slate, which adds to the freshness of the food. The menu is quite extensive but it is worth ordering a couple of dishes, as it is quite like a japanese tapas. 

View towards Alexanderplatz (C) MJT

My favourite dishes worth recommending include the Ebimayo Popcorn (deep fried shrimps) for 4,90€ and the Avocado Salad with Pacific Shrimps, which has a generous serving of prawns and it very good value for 6,90€. The sushi dishes are extremely reliable and the cooked fish dishes are worth trying.

Front entrance Hashi (C) MJT

Overall it is worth a visit if only to appreciate the ceiling, however I would recommend it for a date night or special occasion. Take your time and try many various dishes. Service and meals are usually extremely efficient. 
 
Price: €€-€€€
Service: ★★★★
Food: ★★★★☆
Recommended dish: Avocado Salad with Pacific Shrimps 6,90€.

Burgers in Berlin: #1 District Môt

District Môt

Saigon Street Food

(C) MJT

Near the intersection of Rosenthaler Platz and on the corner of Mulackstrasse is a new(ish) vietnamese restaurant. Directions here:

We tried their Mittagsmenü when they first opened approximately a year and a half ago, and were intrigued but not overly impressed. 

Since then they have modified their menu, and their Bao Burger is an award winning creating in Berlin. 

  

(C) MJT

Basically if one is familiar with the dough of chinese buns (eg BBQ Pork Buns), this is the bread of the burger - so the texture and density is quite different to that of a regular burger. 

The ingredients are strong in flavour, enhanced particularly by the coriander and chili. 

Care of www.districtmot.com

The effort that has gone into making this Berlin corner restaurant resemble a busy Saigon street is impressive, if not a little too crowded - but that is probably part of the theme. 

While I would recommend trying the Bao Burger, I have to confess that I do find that the service is extremely poor - both in attendance and manner. Given the number of Vietnamese restaurants in Berlin, in order to compete, the service does need to improve.

More information regarding the regular menu can be found on their website: www.districtmot.com  however this does not have the Burger information, as it is usually a special item.

A week in May

Hello everyone, 

A quick blog post to actually re-blog a video that franklovesellen.com posted a while ago, which includes footage from our trip to Szczecin and the Olympus Photography Playground. 

If you have a few free minutes have a watch, and see some of our daily life, as it was this past May, and how clever E is at compiling and editing videos!

Enjoy!

M

Weinbergsweg Park series: #1 Rose Garden

WEINBERGSWEG PARK - ROSE GARDEN

Just near Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte stands Weinbergsweg Park, or Volkspark am Weinbergsweg as it is officially titled by the District of Berlin. The name Weinbergsweg originates from its former function as a vinyard (Wein=Wine, Berg=Hill) on the outside of the city walls some centuries ago. It is now one of the most popular and beautiful inner city Parks in Mitte. Directions here:

Pond at Brunnenstrasse entrance (C) MJT

We visit the park regularly, particularly with dog, and it is stunning to see the seasons so clearly defined by the changes that the park undertakes during the year. 

#nikolaithehusky (C) MJT

I have taken many photos of the park in its various guises, hence wanting to start a series at Weinbergsweg. 

Weinbergsweg Rose Garden (C) MJT

Commencing with the current season, we are fortunate enough to be here while the rose garden is in full bloom. In previous years we have missed the sunniest months, but since spring arrived so early this year, everything has grown and bloomed for much longer. So here are some of the examples at the northern part of the park before the Children's Playground. 

Roses / Weinbergsweg Park (C) MJT

Roses / Weinbergsweg Park (C) MJT

Roses / Weinbergsweg Park (C) MJT

Plus there is a small cafe at the edge of the Rose Garden with only outdoor seating. Though we have never tried it... perhaps I smell the aroma of another coffee blogpost...

MJT.

Kaffee in Berlin series: #6 LA PREMIATA DITTA

LA PREMIATA DITTA

On Weinbergsweg (Nr 4) at Rosenthaler Platz in the smallest of Gewerbe (shop/commercial space) an extremely stylish italian deli recently opened its doors. Directions here. 

(C) MJT

La premiata ditta first opened less than a year ago, with the most drinkable espresso I had ever tasted, and a deli with multiple prosciutti and focaccia options to choose from. They have since updated their menu and lunch options to a more German palate, yet the freshness and flavours remain superb.

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

Just opposite the tram stop at Weinbergsweg, this is an extremely small coffee house, but extremely well designed in all aspects. Clearly they have taken a lot of care, time and effort in their presentation.

(C) MJT

Since summer is now upon us in Berlin, the café now accommodates more than 8 people by spilling out onto Weinbergsweg - between Spätverkaufs and other restaurants and cafés. But for an espresso on the run while waiting for the tram, or a mittags/lunch menu with focaccia, coffee and freshly pressed juice look no further than this extremely well fashioned italian addition to the area.

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

In summary, La PREMIATA DITTA comes in at a very, very high recommendation:

Coffee: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Recommended Drink: Espresso or Cappuccino

Price: €1,50 / €2,20

Best Quality: The most drinkable Espresso ever! The staff are extremely friendly and willing to please. The modified lunch menu (deal) is just right! 

Check out their website here:  www.lapremiataditta.com