September 24, 2018

Samantha Reidie

Food history, restaurants

Berlin's best Currywurst

September 24, 2018

Samantha Reidie

Food history, restaurants

The ubiquitous Currywurst with its sweet ketchup, dusting of curry powder and classic German sausage, is synonymous with Berlin and food. Perhaps not a 'refined' delicacy, but this little wurst stands proud within the Berlin food scene and definitely fulfills its purpose as good street-food.

A product of a dark and desperate time and a devastated city, where the resources were low but perseverance high, when a lady named Herta Heuwer obtained ketchup and curry powder from some neighbourly British troops in West Berlin, (they received alcohol in return, I say no more!), and combined it with what she had to hand, the traditional German sausage.

The interesting concoction was immediately successful and remains very much a firm favourite of Berliners today.

There are thousands of Currywurst vendors to choose from today in Berlin, and of course the quality can vary considerably, so I am going to share with you some of my favourite places to enjoy this tasty little plate of food fusion.

Konnopke's Imbiß

This is widely regarded as one of the best Currywurst in Berlin and they definitely win on the historical front. A sausage-maker since 1930 and the first Currywurst vendor in East Berlin, and also the creator of the skinless Currywurst sausage. Great sauce, great fries, a great place to start.

http://konnopke-imbiss.de/Home.html

Curry Mitte

By far one of my favourites in Berlin. The meat in the sausage is locally sourced and they have an extra spicy, garlicky sauce you can order if you want a little more kick to your curry. They even offer a beef currywurst but I'd go for the original pork if I was you.

http://www.currymitte.de/

Curry 61

I always enjoy this Currywurst, a fairly sweet sauce which I think works very nicely with the curry powder. Be sure to ask to have your wurst 'scharf', meaning spicy, for that zing you need in a Currywurst. These guys even have a vegetarian sausage for those plant-eaters among us that don't want to miss out on this authentic Berlin experience.

http://www.curry61.de/

Curry Baude

On the advice of a friend of mine, a true Berliner, this is the best Currywurst in Berlin. All the key ingredients are perfectly balanced, great fries and they even have something called 'Zigeunersauce' which translates as 'gypsy sauce'. How can you go wrong.

http://www.curry-baude.de/

Guten Appetit!

February 2, 2017

Samantha Reidie

Berlin foodie hitlist

February 2, 2017

Samantha Reidie

So you've made it to Berlin for a little trip and there are so many amazing things to do and see that you just don't know where to start.

Of course the most important matter at hand is what to eat and where.

It's all too easy to get a little lost when you visit a new city and if you're only there for a few days or so, you need a little guidance. It's always best when you know someone that lives there, a friend that can take you by the hand to all their favourite spots and lead you away from all the tourist hellholes. You may be thinking, that's all well and good but we don't know anyone that lives here in Berlin.

There you'd be wrong.

You have me!

And this blog is for you- an easy, concise plan of foodie action for when you are in Berlin for a holiday and want to make the most of your trip without any culinary mishaps.

Follow these steps and you will have yourself a truly delicious, vibrant and an extremely Berlin holiday.

You'll find a balance of the German classics, that one may be craving on a visit to the Hauptstadt, and the more diverse foodie finds that reflect the multi-cultural bounty that is the Berlin food scene.

Enjoy!

Kadewe- the foodhall

The stunning department store that is the Kadewe (Kaufhaus des Westens) hosts Europe's largest foodhall and it demands that you visit. Far more affordable than its British rival (Harrods) and the Wintergarten canteen on the very top is special. Awesome view of the city and the food is just immense with a great variety. The strudel here with vanilla and blackcurrant sauce should not be missed.

Rogacki- the deli

This is a little piece of history. A family owned business since 1928, they have been providing Berliners with delicious morsels such as smoked fish, sausages and even oysters for years. Go during a month with a 'R' in it and enjoy yourself some oysters with a nice little glass of Riesling. Also, for a little trivia- Anthony Bourdain went to Rogacki during his episode on Berlin food.

Berliner Weisse at Zwiebelfisch

This is charming little bar in the chic neighborhood of Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg. This area was extremely popular amongst artists, poets and other Bohemian types in the 70s before this scene moved over to East Berlin after the fall of the wall, and Zwiebelfisch encapsulates that. You can enjoy some traditional German bites here or just a little tipple- the red or green Berliner Weisse is a Berlin classic you can try here.

Strudel at Einstein

Though this is an Austrian delicacy, of course it can be found extensively in Germany and Cafe Einstein Stammhaus provide a pretty scrummy offering.

Schnitzel at Austria

Another Austrian dish adopted by their Germanic cousins and after extensive research, it is the schnitzel at Austria that is my favourite in Berlin. Crispy coated and the size of your head, this will satisfy those that are craving the Teutonic classic.

Schwarzes Cafe

This 24 hour cafe/restaurant/bar is a typical Berlin establishment. Cosy with an endearing shabbiness where you can enjoy extremely good afternoon Kaffee & Kuchen (coffee/cake) or a midnight cocktail. Alternatively you can have an afternoon cocktail and a midnight coffee and cake.

Clärchens Ballhaus

This Berlin institution built in 1913 as a ballroom is still used for dancing to this day along with a great German menu and also pizzas. Try the classic Königsburger Klopse and then join in for a little salsa.

Currywurst at Konnopkes

Because no trip without the Berlin Currywurst would be complete!

Brunch at Dots

Delightful little cafe with all the necessary brunchtime treats such as pancakes, avocado toast and eggs.

Fassbender & Rausch

For the chocolate lovers amongst us! In a beautiful location, opposite Gendarmenmarkt, this chocolate shop is a must. Check out the Berlin landmarks made entirely from chocolate and there is even a chocolate restaurant upstairs.

Dong Xuan Center

Go to Vietnam for the day and experience the cultural richness that the prominent Vietnamese community in Berlin brings to the city.

Sonnenallee for Middle Eastern cuisine

This street is nicknamed 'Arabic Street' and hosts a multitude of fantastic Arabic restaurants. Azzam. Al Andalous. Akroum. To name a few spots! The heavenly scent of baklava fills the air, get off at Rathaus Neukölln and follow your nose.

Food Markets

The markets are a must for any trip of Berlin, they teach us so much about the culture of the city and are just plain delicious. There are quite a few in Berlin, almost every day of the week there is a market somewhere to be found- so below is a list of my favourites.

Street Food Thursdays at Markthalle9- every Thursday evening from 5pm to 10pm
Maybachufer Turkish Market- Tuesdays and Fridays all day
Winterfeldplatz market- Wednesdays and Saturdays all day
Marheineke market- daily apart from Sundays

And of course, join one of my food tours!

January 11, 2017

Samantha Reidie

New Year, New You

January 11, 2017

Samantha Reidie

So Christmas has been and gone and 2017 is upon us. New resolutions are set and this is going to be your year!

Yes, we said the same thing last year but this time its true, new start, new outlook, new me.

Either way, after much indulging...well- gorging during the Christmas period, however you want to put it, January is a logical point to take a little extra care of our bodies. Go for a few trots around the park and shoot back a ginger shot or two.

´Veganuary´has been the buzzword of the last couple of years and the start of 2017 is no different.

For many, the thought of eliminating meat and dairy from their diet for a month will not go down well. Feelings of fear, confusion and disgust will be commonplace. Yet that would be ill-founded!

Vegan food is easily as delicious and satisfying as their carnivorous counterparts and with Berlin being the Vegan capital of Europe, I thought it only apt to account a list of some of my favourite vegan spots in Berlin to kick of the new year.

So this is for the vegans, vegan-curious and even those that cannot imagine a plate without a pound of flesh upon it.

Enjoy.

Alaska Bar

This bar is Vegan Heaven and that is no exaggeration. Classic tapas devoid of meat, dairy or eggs but all the taste. Tortilla with aioli, croquettes, patatas bravas and even more. Enjoy with a little glass of Vermouth. This place would fool even the most dedicated meat eater.

Black Sheep Cafe

Charming all vegan cafe nestled within the leafier section of Neukölln on the border of Treptow, it is definitely worth the treck. Bagels with marmite and cheese, (a classic from where I'm standing!), beautiful cakes and pastries- and they brew their own Kombucha to give you that healthy kick we all need right now.

Chay Village

Vietnamese classics such as crispy pancakes and steaming plates of Bun Xa. No meat can be found here with nearly all options now being completely vegan, this is one of the best spots for Vietnamese food in Berlin with or without meat.

Let it be

Another all vegan option, offering a wide selection of burgers and crepes. Sweet and savoury crepes and fantastic fries and wedges to accompany these junk-food fantasies, this place is perfect for anyone with a fast-food craving.

Lily Burger

With a selection of vegan burgers to rival their regular meaty options- this place is great if you are with those that cannot commit to Veganuary. Their vegan mayo is so convincing I had to ask twice if they were positive it was not just a regular jar of Hellmanns.

Sababa

Israeli cuisine in all its glory. Roasted aubergines, silky tahini sauce, pillowy pitta breads and fresh salads- their vegan options are sublime.

Chutnify

South Indian cuisine with all the flavour and punch that most Indian restaurants in Berlin lack.

Plenty of vibrant vegan options here such as traditional dosas with sweet potato and the Bombay bhel (pictured below) was like nothing I have ever tried before! Teamed with fresh and fragrant chutnies- go, go, go!

Michelberger Hotel

This restaurant is a little bit special. Gorgeous ambiance and they always have one really beautiful vegan option. The lack of choice makes things easier and it never disappoints.

Brammibals

DONUTS! Oodles of donuts, all different flavours- now who cannot be happy with that?

BergmannCurry

Vegan Currywurst is not too easy to find, even in the Vegan capital, but this little stall has one for all you vegans wanting to try this Berlin classic.

Monella

Amongst all the regular pizzas, Monella offer a couple of good vegan options. Not being a massive fan of the phenomenon that is vegan 'cheese', they don't mess around with food substitutes but rather celebrate naturally vegan ingredients- beautiful tomato sauce, roasted vegetables, pine nuts etc.