Tag: berlin

Typical Berlin fare: interesting facts about the city’s emblematic dishes

@Chaneykwak

Up until now, our posts have centred on the more unusual places to visit in the city, such as unique bookshops, alternative historical sites, less conventional venues for an after-work drink or the best spots for enjoying an alternative view in Berlin.

That doesn’t mean that we don’t love more traditional things, too. This post is about typical Berlin fare – Bretzels, Currywurst, Schnitzel Holstein and Döner Kebabs – that are a must-have for any hungry traveller looking for an authentic culinary experience.

Breztels (also Brezels or Pretzels) are twisted salty knots of chewy bread, although you may prefer the sweet version with butter and cinnamon. We recommend Brezel Bar if it’s your first time.
Interesting fact: some say Bretzels originated with the Celts, who ate them to celebrate the arrival of spring. At that time of year, the sun is passing through the constellation of Aries, and the shape of this treat resembles its horns.


@Chaneykwak

Berlin is very proud of the iconic Currywurst, a sausage bathed in a sauce made with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and curry powder. Make your way down to Konnopke’s Imbiss to enjoy a delicious, classic version of the ultimate street food.
Interesting fact: this dish is said to date back to 1949, when a local woman, Herta Heuwer, experimented with the ingredients ‒ which she had received as a gift from British soldiers ‒ and used them to dress a cooked sausage.


@bykst

A Schnitzel Holstein is a breaded veal cutlet topped with a fried egg and served with anchovy fillets and capers, fried potatoes and toasted bread. KaDeWe Feinschmeckerbars is the place to go for this culinary delight.
Interesting fact: in the 19th century, a mayor of Berlin would always insist his meals were served quickly. Obliging him, chefs in a restaurant decided to serve his first and second course together, and the Schnitzel Holstein was born.


@bonappetour

Our final recommendation is a Döner Kebab, a delicious by-product of the cultural exchanges with the Turkish community. Try this delicacy at Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap. Don’t be put off by the queue – it’s well worth the wait.


@alexkehr

6 Berlin bookshops

@Caroline Kurze

Do you tend to lose track of time browsing along the shelves in a bookshop? Do you love nothing more than spending an entire afternoon with your head in a book? Do you like discovering a country’s history and literature through its authors and books?

If you are a die-hard bookworm, this article on Berlin bookshops is just the thing for you. Some of them even have a cafeteria for sustenance during your readathon!

The Friedrichshain district is home to Shakespeare and Sons, an establishment that sells books in English and serves delicious bagels at their in-shop café.

@Caroline Kurze

Poor and Literate, located in Prenzlauer Berg, is also a café by day and a bar by night, with a film club and a gallery. The entire space is dedicated to literature, whisky and art. Enjoy a Scottish malt whisky after browsing the bookshop section, which is called “Virginia Woolf’s Library”.

@phillipbogle

Another Country, in Kreuzberg, offers books in English and second-hand bargains, which you can either buy or rent for €1.50. Don’t miss their regular events, such as readings or film nights.

@Philipp Külker

Ocelot, in Mitte, is a hip and unusual bookshop managed by a team of bibliophiles that are mad about design and love passionate discussion, great coffee and food.

@awesomeberlin

At Tasso, every book costs just €1.50, making it impossible not to treat yourself to some good literature! They also serve great food – we highly recommend the weekend breakfast for two!

@diewahlberlinerin

Bücherbogen in Savignyplatz is the ideal place to lose yourself among its books on fashion, design and photography. You will find some of them in the huge section of English editions.

@visitberlin

We’re convinced that you will be unable to resist temptation at these intriguing bookshops in our book-loving city of Berlin! Why not bring your purchases back to the Room Room Bar at Hotel Gat Point Charlie and dive into them while you enjoy a drink before lunch?

Exhibition: Frequency’s Synchronies

Our exhibition at Gat Point Charlie, organized by Karne Kunst, is called “Frequency’s synchronies” by Spanish illustrator Sandra Fiz and Venezuelan DJ Claudio Pérez-Füves, aka Drrk’s Secnd.

The vernissage was on Friday, August 17th at 7pm at the hotel. “The work of the artists consists of an audio-visual project which explores the different stages of a relationship through songs reflected in images. Feelings like falling in love, the sensation of being reborn, conflict, or even hatred, are some of the emotions that are illustrated in a song and on a paper. An exhibition that especially music lovers of rock, post punk, or psychedelic among other genres, will really appreciate” (Karne Kunst).

This exhibition was curated by Marcela Villanueva and produced by Karne Kunst.

Artists’ CV:
Sandra Fiz, artist based in Berlin since September 2017, completed her training as an illustrator at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Madrid and the IED of the same city. Her work has been exhibited in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and China.
Claudio Pérez-Füves, aka Drrk’s Secnd, based in Berlin for the last 10 years, has played at places such as Picnic Bar, Du Beast or Tresor, and in Madrid, at El Monasterio, at Lavapies local festivities, or at the Chill Out Bar where he was a resident DJ.

Check out how was the opening here!

 

 

 

Exhibition: “Half human. Half Beast”

Last June 7, 2018, Gat Point Charlie hosted the vernissage of the exhibition “Half Human Half Beast” by Walter Tello und Lucila Bristow organised by Karne Kunst. For the first time with music by DJ ABRIBASS.

Come to see the magnificent and polyvalent work of the artists until the 5th of August!

 

 

A street food market in every major neighbourhood

@ NeilGHamilton

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it, our last post was about markets in Lisbon. This time, we want to talk about markets in Berlin. Instead of naming a market for every day of the week, we are introducing a market in each of the city’s main neighbourhoods; instead of second-hand and antiques markets, our focus today is on street food.

The neighbourhoods that house our selection of markets are multicultural Kreuzberg, quiet Prenzlauer Berg, bustling Friedrichshain, elegant and refined Schöneberg, diplomatic Wilmersdorf and trendy Kreuzkölln.

Kreuzberg:

Street Food Thursday

When: Every Thursday from 17:00 ‒ 22:00.
Where: Eisenbahnstrasse, 42/43.
Insider tip: Enjoy tasting food from all over the world, but make sure the beer is local! Check out Heidenpeters to get you started…

@ juliebyday

Bite Club

When: Selected Fridays from 17:00 – 22:00.
Where: Arena Berlin, Eichenstrasse, 4.
Insider tip: Enjoy open-air sundown events around the old Hoppetosse party boat in Kreuzberg.

@biteclub

Prenzlauer Berg:

Street Food auf Achse

When: Every Sunday from 12:00 ‒ 18:00.
Where: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee, 38.
Insider tip: Cool off with a delicious smoothie!

@streetfoodaufachse

Friedrichshain:

Boxhagener Platz Food Market

When: Every Saturday from 09:00 ‒ 15.30.
Where: Grünberger Str. 75.
Insider tip: Seize your opportunity to try a typical German Currywurst!

@MyCityHighlight

Schöneberg:

Winterfeldt Markt

When: Wednesdays from 08:00 ‒ 13:00 and Saturdays from 08:00 ‒ 16:00.
Where: Winterfeldtplatz.
Insider tip: Ever heard of Maultaschen? Discover it here!

@d_a_a_v_e_

Wilmersdorf:

Thai Park

When: Weekends during good weather from 11:00 ‒ 22:00.
Where: Preußenpark, Fehrbelliner Platz.
Insider tip: look for the lady that sells sweet mango and sticky rice!

@ berlinthroughsophseyes

Kreuzkölln:

Turkish Market

When: Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00 ‒ 18:30.
Where: Maybachufer.
Insider tip: The traditional köfte meatballs and hummus are delicious.

@ NeilGHamilton

After-work drinks in Berlin

@gatrooms
Here at Gatrooms, we think it’s really important to wind down after a long day at work to make sure that we’re revived and on our game the next day. Where better to relax than a place that has nothing to do with the stresses of our job, such as a bar with great music and an even better atmosphere?
That’s why we held the first After Work Gat Session at our Room Room Bar last Thursday 31st May, kicking off a series of soirées that aim to create a unique haven for the work-weary in the city, each with background music provided by different DJs.
If you can’t make it to our sessions at the Room Room Bar at Gat Point Charlie, here are four options that we think will help you recharge your batteries after a long, hard day.

 

Allan’s Breakfast Club & Wine Bar
Allan’s restaurant serves breakfast into late afternoon before transforming into a bistrot wine bar at 7.30 pm. Located on Rykestraße, one of the most beautiful streets in the city, it also offers breathtaking views of the Wasserturm water tower from its terrace.

@allans_breakfast_club_winebar

Hopfenreich Craft Beer Bar Berlin
This temple to craft beer, which some refer to as “hop heaven”, is nestled in a quiet corner of the bustling Kreuzberg street. Kick back, relax and enjoy a Pale Ale or one of the many local and old-school German beers on offer.

@eilatan_c

Monkey bar
Overlooking the Tiergarten, this bar on the top floor of a high-rise building has it all: incredible views over the city, live music, and drinks from the four corners of the globe.

@femmecurieuse

Newton bar
This classy cocktail bar is the go-to for any Mad Men fans out there. The walls are covered with photographer Helmut Newton’s life-size nudes above red leather chairs. Warning: if the walls make you feel a little uncomfortable, be careful with the menu, too! There is also a smoking room where you can order yourself a Cuban cigar to enjoy alongside a brandy or a glass of good wine.

@berlinluxus.de