661056 Tue Oct 20 18:46:14 -0700 2009 19 26 International 0 5118672 Headed to Hamburg soon, not too much on the boards about food in the city -- any suggestions? I'm not familiar with German food, so generic foods to look out for are welcome as well. Thanks! Tue Oct 20 18:46:15 -0700 2009 62703 46137 1 5119406 Check out Restaurant Nil. Creative, fresh, local. Friendly owner. Wed Oct 21 07:04:14 -0700 2009 5118672 116513 linguafood 2 5123707 thanks! Thu Oct 22 15:58:43 -0700 2009 5119406 62703 46137 2 5135554 I second Nil - and pretty much anything linguafood recommends in Hamburg or Berlin! And I also liked the "Freischwimmer" a lot. It's off the beaten path, in Eimsbüttel, one of Hamburg’s liveliest and most interesting neighborhoods. As the name suggests (referring to, of all things, a swimming certificate), the place has a great quirky personality (bowling alley in the basement and all). The food is interesting and well executed - a combination of German and Mediterranean. The wine list short but quality. And the service is knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. dutchgrub -- www.dutchgrub.com Tue Oct 27 15:17:08 -0700 2009 5119406 254680 dutchgrub 3 5135559 Awww. That's sweet! Actually, I don't really know that many places in Hamburg... so it sounds like I should be turning to YOU for future Hamburg advice '-) Tue Oct 27 15:18:51 -0700 2009 5135554 116513 linguafood 4 5135592 Ha ha! I definitely know my way around HH... I liked El Toro near Schlump last time. Have you been there? Consistently good Spanish fare! Tue Oct 27 15:30:18 -0700 2009 5135559 254680 dutchgrub 3 5136190 Thanks so much! Tue Oct 27 19:28:44 -0700 2009 5135554 62703 46137 1 5143497 Ignore the cheesy name and do yourself a big favor by having dinner at Picasso, a tapas restaurant near the Rathaus in the Altstadt. My husband and I had wonderful, authentic-tasting food there. Grilled octopus appetizer, paella for me, grilled fish for him. Everything was fantastic. I hear the other tapas are good too, but we had no room because of the generous portions. Also recommend Vina Esmeralda, a Gewurztraminer/Muscatel blend on the menu. A tad fruity and absolutely great with this style of food. http://www.qype.co.uk/place/14116-Picasso-Hamburg I live in Berlin and have seriously thought about making the 2 hr. train trip just for dinner. Fri Oct 30 12:15:16 -0700 2009 5118672 150094 ChristinaMason 2 5154952 thank you all for the excellent suggestions! Wed Nov 04 08:37:23 -0800 2009 5143497 62703 46137 3 5155233 Have you gone yet? Where did you go? How was it (besides excellent)? Wed Nov 04 09:48:41 -0800 2009 5154952 116513 linguafood 4 5157511 word! i'm curious, too! Thu Nov 05 05:09:41 -0800 2009 5155233 150094 ChristinaMason 5 5158394 not yet - nov 18-23 - I'll be sure to post the full report! :) Thu Nov 05 10:36:21 -0800 2009 5157511 62703 46137 6 5158402 Great, I hope you have a wonderful time. Seriously, get the paella and grilled octopus, wine, and you'll be good to go :) Also, if you discover any wonderful places, please share! Thu Nov 05 10:39:37 -0800 2009 5158394 150094 ChristinaMason 2 5197133 I had a STUNNING evening at Picasso - had the grilled octopus - amazing. The bartender and owner were beyond hospitable. A HIGH recommend! The sangria was spectacular! Fri Nov 20 14:52:54 -0800 2009 5143497 62703 46137 3 5197888 Oh, hooray. I'm SO jealous. Maybe I'll take my dad to Hamburg in December, just for the excuse to eat the octopus again ;) Sat Nov 21 03:13:12 -0800 2009 5197133 150094 ChristinaMason 1 5176593 The Rive restaurant - very good fish with a great view. Good local fish choices http://www.rive.de/ambiente.html Thu Nov 12 13:25:50 -0800 2009 5118672 164614 tfed 1 5191862 Went here for early dinner (5pm) - http://gnosa.de/ - VERY good and friendly service! Excellent cakes. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wolfworld/4114875251/ Wed Nov 18 11:06:17 -0800 2009 5118672 62703 46137 1 5191905 Oh, I forgot: Cafe Paris (http://www.cafeparis.net/) is also really lovely, has inexpensive drinks and nice food. Gorgeous interior. Wed Nov 18 11:20:25 -0800 2009 5118672 150094 ChristinaMason 2 5197129 thx! A local recommended this tonight! I will give it a try tomorrow! Fri Nov 20 14:51:28 -0800 2009 5191905 62703 46137 3 5197891 My friends had the carrot soup, gnocchi with walnut-honey pesto, and a rhubarb cake. They looked great and prompted lots of raves! I had the incredibly cheap kir and mineral water, because I was broke ;) Sat Nov 21 03:14:52 -0800 2009 5197129 150094 ChristinaMason