Looking forward to that! Only been to Oslo once, very briefly, back in 2007.
CENTRO ITALIA / SEVERAL BRANCHES
We were half-way there, sortakinda, so we scooted to our favorite Italian market up north 
Picked up pappardelle, fennel salami,
and a coupla slabs of raschera,
as well as grilled eggplant & zukes.
Pistachio crema for my PIC’s sweet breakfasts, a pistachio panna cotta for us to share for dessert — maybe even tonight,
and a bottle of a rosé we like.
The dude behind the cheese counter recognized us from last year. He reminds me of my younger nephew, aside from the floffy beard he’s grown over the last two years — the Sicilian, not my nephew 
Italians are lazy, too, which would explain the ready-made sauces in the refrigerated section, right above a huge variety of fresh pasta.
I think I took a few more pics a few years ago here, but today I focused on a lot of pistachio products, bc I feel the lovely pistachio deserves its very own thread… don’t you?
4 Likes
Mr. Hai Kabuki / Olivaer Platz / Wilmersdorf
Opened in 2000 by an entrepreneurial Vietnamese immigrant to former East Germany, along with a few other venues that didn’t have the same lasting power, we discovered it some time in the 2000s, and have been enjoying their lunch deal multiple times each summer.
It’s 14€ and includes The Best Miso Soup I’ve had anywhere, tea, and 3 plates of one’s choosing from the conveyor belt or à la carte.
The lazy white tuna is deep-fried, has a crispy panko coating and comes with a thick, sweet-ish sauce. It is best shared between two good eaters, or 3 delicate eaters like we are
No picture bc we’ve not had a 3rd to join us for lunch in a while. Boo hiss.
The specials making their rounds along the counter are tempting: like grilled shrimp, salmon or tuna pierced with asparagus, salmon tataki, and any number of really wonderful plates we occasionally splurge on, as they are (obviously) not included in the lunch deal.
While it may not be the best sushi in town — that would be November, it’s a very good deal for good & creative sushi, and the guy working the counter almost immediately starts working on our favorite orders when we sit down. And that’s worth a lot 
10 Likes
KERB FOOD HALL / Sony Center @Potsdamer Platz
Berlin has a new food hall! Not sure it needed one, but London has one!! So now we have one, too 
Based on its British example, a two-story open space offers a decent variety of foods from popular Berlin eateries (like Kimchi Princess) or food trucks.
Our buddy opted for a Kassler Rippchen sammich: that would be a pulled smoked pork chop, cucumber-apple-mustard-chutney with mâche on a house-baked rye bread roll.
He absolutely loved it.
We were interested in Moksa, an Indian stand offering Rotza, i.e. a lovechild of a roti and a pizza. If you don’t know German, the name isn’t as glaringly off-putting 
The keema lamb in particular looked delightful, but they didn’t have it that day 
The tandoori chicken version didn’t appeal to us, so we made the big mistake of getting tacos at El Amigo Taqueria — birria tacos, to be exact. The beef was alright, but no dipping broth? When I asked about it I was told that “we don’t serve that here.” 
Hokay, then.
There’s also the stupidly named Pick & Cheese, which consists of a circle bar with a conveyor belt familiar from sushi places, but here we have pieces of cheese rotating under their glass domes 
In any event, we were sufficiently fortified to start our city/history walking tour, but it’s unlikely we’ll go back.
8 Likes
Since we were in walking distance of important historical sites, we took our buddy on a little tour. First up, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Initially a controversial design, it never fails to impress me with its sober simplicity.
We walked past the US embassy, which for some mysterious reasons has barriers set up all around. I’ll also venture a guess that we’re unlikely to see the joyous, large rainbow flags that were raised for Pride Month in previous years right next to the American flag.
Next up, Brandenburg Gate. The weather had improved significantly.
On our way to the Reichstag we happened upon a relatively new Memorial to the Sinti & Roma Victims of National Socialism, which I found very moving. It’s impressive how Germany has made a concerted effort (and continues to do so) in owning and confronting its horrendous recent history, especially in the center of the city where so much of the horror originated — in close proximity to tourist attractions and the new government quarter.
The Reichstag with is famous transparent dome. You can get a ticket and walk around the roof & see the parliament at work.
The beautiful new architecture of the government quarter around the Spreebogen.
Had the weather not been as fickle, we might’ve taken a 1-hour boat tour, which is a great way to see the government quarter.
We made our way to Mitte, where a former squatter / artist paradise has been gentrified to be near unrecognizable, with fancy lofts for the well-off. The contrast couldn’t be more jarring. 
Did I mention Berliners and, apparently, tourists alike seem to LURV standing in line for shit?
Mmmmm “Crusty Slices!”
We grabbed a very expensive scoop of very very good hazelnut ice cream with big fat roasted hazelnuts at the end of our tour.
11 Likes
WHAT??? No pistachio ice cream?
Our buddy got some. It was good
We’ll be traveling to the land of pistachio ice cream/gelato in just over a week, so… don’t you worry 
1 Like
KaDeWe aka Kaufhaus des Westens / Ku’damm / Charlottenburg
If fancy brands like Rolex, Gucci, Versace, etc. are your thang, you can grab all the luxury ware you could ask for at this massive department store.
My thang is food, and the 6th floor is the food equivalent of the fancy-shmancy ish on the other 5
I’m surprised I’ve not dedicated a post to this culinary wonderland in my Berlin reports yet, and just checked my library for photographic evidence of previous visits, bc we tend to swing by most summers. I know I’ve taken many in the past, but they’re gone >poof< 
This time, I mostly took pics of the insane chocolate section, so it’s not really representative of the array of delicacies — local and international, but I took a few when I thought of it.
Naturally, there’s a few shelves with US products,
the most surprising item being a Squid Game themed cereal… who doesn’t like being reminded of a good massacre with their morning milk? YUMMERS!!! 
The seafood section is a thing to behold, of course, but I really liked the design on these seafood conservas
There’s real caviar for the 1% (and several champagne bars, although I call them something else )
and fabulous smoked fish and seafood.
A massive gin selection keeps tempting us, but we’re wary of buying an unfamiliar bottle and hating it.
It’s a really fab place to visit, even just for browsing.
10 Likes
A few years ago my wife and I were visiting with my cousin who lives in Berlin. We went to KaDeWe for a glass of wine. I ordered six oysters. When the waiter approached with the oysters, he tripped and emptied the plate in my lap. He helped to clean things up, and brought me six more, but since he had already put the amount in the computer, I still had to pay for them. Then he asked if I wanted anything else, but I just wanted to get out of there.
Wow. That’s insane. He could’ve just removed them “from the computer.”
Sorry you had such a bad experience there. We mostly just go for food gawking, as the majority of stuff is simply not in our budget, and the clientele the luxury products attract mos def not our scene.
It’s fun to take visitors, and take it all in to work up some appetite to eat… elsewhere
A trip to another branch of our beloved Centro Italia. A haul, too, but worth it: a massive place with all the pasta you could dream of, wines, conservas, olive oils, pesti, truffle products, dolci, a counter with formaggi e salumi, and even a trattoria for lunch.
I didn’t take as many pics as I should’ve but you get the idea.
They even carry the Sicilian green mandarin soda I had just a couple of days ago
5 Likes
We also scooted by this place for the second time, and I really wanna stop in, as it’s pretty close to our pad.
Food from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Africa, Latin America.
Talk about a massive range!
You can also find it sometimes at Eataly in the US
It’s not been a big foodie summer this year. Blame the heat, a stupid summer cold & other factors…
Hey, at least we saved some moolah
A new discovery we checked out yesterday was nice, but won’t make our “must return” list.
We have 7 days left, and are inundated with visitors from back home this weekend pretty much until our departure.
German tapas are up mañana for our buddy from the US and his bride from HK plus another friend from home, Sunday & Monday are open to their requests/preferences. They’d initially requested a visit to the Thai Park, but since the local authorities ruined it it is no longer worth a visit. Shame.
Our final meal will be Turkish, for it is tradition
5 Likes
Kreuzberg Festival / Xberg
Every summer on the last weekend of June, one of the main strips in Kreuzberg (the hood we are staying this year, and will likely return to next) celebrates a massive street festival. Lots of food & drink stands, live music, clothes & jewelry vendors, etc. etc. all popped up in front of our window over the course of the day, and we thought we’d check it out to see what’s all on offer for our buddy and his boo (and us) once they are reunited. No doubt there’s something for everyone
This one’s right across from our pad
We’ll have to ask our HK buddy later just how ‘authentic’ these are
Pasta variety from the Italian stand
Berlin’s mediocre Indian ‘chain’ … maybe their street food is better?
Hungarian chimney cake aka Kürtőskalács
Delectable sounding varieties of Argentinian alfajores
Pan-African food
A lot of fried Viet food, but also banh mi
Korean fried chicken & dumplings at our door step
Peruvian burgers with pulled pork and other crazy stuff
K-dogs. Might have to try one, as I’ve never had one 
…
More burgers, but also empanadas.
Gourmet wagyu burgers. Burgers, burgers, burgers
Vegan Turkish food is a thing.
My PIC practically has to have one of those. But he won’t 
Various Turkish delights for omnivores. Those mamas know what they’re doing 
The versatile tater
Now we just need some nicer weather, and the party can begin! 
9 Likes
Holy SMOKES that’s an amazing food festival! Can’t wait to read about what you try and enjoy.
2 Likes
A lot of fried foods and burgers, but I may get a gözleme… we’re a bit burgered out for the time being
2 Likes
Maybe banana pudding, from New York!!
1 Like
Possibly! I don’t think I’ve ever had alfajores… although the pistachio cream is more my groove 
1 Like
PeterPaul / Mitte
Our HK friend remarked yesterday how rarely we go out for German food in Berlin, and that there seemed to be a dearth of German restaurants.
I can’t speak for all Berliners, of course, but I’d venture a guess that we prefer to make German food at home vs. going out for it.
And so, returning to PeterPaul after probz a decade was a real treat: excellent German tapas shared with good friends from back home, and good cocktails to boot.
House margarita with only one side salted (excellent idea!):
Strawberry Sour — so tart & refresh
Amuse: beetroot shooter with pear & orange
Beetroot dumpling with smoked tofu and pear. Did not like this, but others did.
Buttery, creamy matjes filet with sour cream, apples & onion. Fan-flippin-tastic!
Best Kassler I’ve ever had: melt in your mouth tender & very flavorful.
Pfälzer Saumagen (stuffed pig’s stomach) with bacon kraut. Faboski.
Königsberger Klopse - meatballs with creamy caper sauce & beetroot. Mom made it better 
Fried fish fingers with dill, sour cream & lime. Good, but not remarkable.
Some sides were mashed potatoes (alright)
German cuke salad I love every which way, and this was a very good version
and creamed kohlrabi, which I found underwhelming (mom’s were also better)
Def recommend for any visitors who enjoy small plates over a set 3-course meal & who want to try a large variety of regional German dishes. Great for sharing!
11 Likes
