Berlin--authentic, indigenous mix of fine and "buerglich" suggestions needed

[mausi7]

This is our 3rd time in Berlin but haven't been there for 5 years. Would like some restaurant suggestions for a 5 day stay. Generally should be good, German food---perhaps some with a bit of flair. Don't need an English menu.
Thanks
Mausi

[mausi7]

Short Berlin report:
Marjellchen: Good, solid Prussian style food. excellent duck and mushrooms in cream sauce.
Hartmann's Tried a little too hard to be gourmet and hip, but good food nonetheless
Engelbecken: Wonderful schnitzel and Spargel
Renger Patzsch: OK food, BUT: the only restaurant we encountered a clearly misleading and incorrect statement on the bill. Our credit card bill stated in English: "Tip is not included." Tip is always included and additional tip is up to customer ---usually 5% over bill. Not nice!

[RUK]

Question, what constitutes Prussian style food? I never heard that description before?
Just curious.

[linguafood]

That's bizarre about the CC bill statement, I've never had that happen to me. Of course, I generally pay cash.

I'm also not sure where you get the "5% over bill" thing. I generally tip around 10%, unless the service is bad.

Hartmanns was "trying too hard to be gourmet and hip"? They have a Michelin star, you know, which actually means something in Europe -- as in you are likely in for a 'gourmet' experience (unlike NYC or other US cities, where Michelin stars seem to mean next to nothing, IMNSHE).

So they had *better* try hard to make it worth my money '-)

[mausi7]

Since we live in NY metro area we are used to gourmet food, Michelin or not.
Perhaps the "trying too hard" reference was more about the sometimes silly, superfluous presentations that were obviously trying to impress. The food was good, but not outstanding.
The 5 % comes from many different German relatives. My husband usually tips 10 % on top of bill...sometimes more if service is excellent. I just wonder if a German would have received the same bill....I am a native German speaker, my husband is not, which was obvious at dinner.

[mausi7]

RUK: Here is website of Marjellchen which gives more details about Prussian cusine. http://www.marjellchen-berlin.de/

[RUK]

Thanks. I had no clue that there was Cuisine called Prussian nowadays. :-)

[linguafood]

I'm still scratching my head over the cc bill comment. That's strange. Did you mention it to the staff?

[mausi7]

No, my husband only told me about it after we left the restaurant. A similar thing happened in Vienna where the waitress told my husband the same thing about a tip while I was away from the table---again, she knew I spoke German. I have heard other stories like this.
On a much more positive note: The people (both in the tourist trade and not) were genuinely friendly and helpful in Berlin. Also, we had a great lunch at a falafel restaurant on Oranienstr. ... have got to look up the name.

[mausi7]

"Dada Falafel" on Linienstraße 132---really good plates of variety of middle eastern specialities.

[linguafood]

That's nice to hear they serve good food, given their proximity to the Touri-Meile that is Oranienburger Str.

Yarok, a Syrian place on Torstr. (parallel to O-burger) makes a mean mezze platter and homemade ayran with mint. They make their own hot sauce with orange zest and perhaps even bitter orange jam. Yowzah.

[Chinon00]

Is Kantine open?

[linguafood]

No clue, as I am currently on the other side of the pond... their blog/website doesn't really tell you much, either.

[S_B_Russell]

Kantine moved to a new location and and changed their name to Lokal.

Was there last month and it was really good.
http://lokal-berlin.blogspot.ch/

[linguafood]

AHA! I thought I remembered you posting on the place very recently. Glad you chimed in!!

[RUK]

I am glad your question was answered! :-)

[mausi7]

OK, I picked Noto because it is open on Sundays---any other suggestions for a Sunday dinner near Schoeneberg, Wilmersdorf or Charlottenburg? Or, we may need to go farther away.
On a non-food note, do you suggest the "Tageskarte" or the weekly U Bahn Karte---we'll be there for 5 days.
Thanks again for your time.
Mausi

[RUK]

mausi, I live in NJ/USA, but my first language is German. That's why had reacted to your OP. :-)
I have been in Berlin a few times, last just a couple of years ago, but I certainly couldn't answer that.

[linguafood]

OK, I'm not entirely hip to Sunday opening hours of all restaurants in the hoods you mention and which might fit your bill. Perhaps a quick check on the restos' respective websites will enlighten you. FWIW, R-P is open on Sundays, and many other places generally are as well.

I'd get the weekly ticket instead of 5 Tageskarten.

You'll have a blast for sure '-)

[mausi7]

Nochmals vielen dank!

[linguafood]

Aber gerne!

[mausi7]

Just got tickets for Deutsche Oper on a Sunday---any suggestions for a walking distance restaurant nearby (Charlottenburg?)

[linguafood]

Not entirely sure if they're walking distance, but you could always bus or cab it to:

Marjellchen
Engelbecken
Dicke Wirtin
Lutter & Wegner

[linguafood]

There is a wealth of information on exactly the kind of food/restaurants you are looking for - in fact, if you look on the Europe board, there was a recent thread that deals exclusively with German food and restaurants in Berlin.

Perhaps you might take a look-see, I bet you'll find a place or two (or 3 or 4) that will fit your bill.

Just off the top of my head, these places come to mind:

Renger-Patzsch
Lutter & Wegner
Marjellchen

[mausi7]

Thanks linguafood---I did see those posts and have already made a reservation at Renger-Patzsch--- but was wondering if there were other restaurants that were less trendy and more like what a Berliner (not the donut :) would go to.

[linguafood]

Renger-Patzsch is not trendy at all. All the "trendy" places are pretty much in Mitte & Prenzlauer Berg these days.

Just a modern take on regional ingredients with a bit of a Southern/Alsatian influence. Their tarte flambées are really nice, but I honestly never had a dish there I didn't like. If you're lucky, they'll have tongue on the menu - the chef does it really well.

And if you're not too much of a stickler about "German" food, there is fantastic Austrian to be had at Jolesch, Felix Austria, and Wirtshaus zum Mitterhofer.

Oh, and let's not forget Henne!

Feel free to check out my blog on which I've recently compiled a 3-part "Best of Berlin" list.

[mausi7]

Many thanks linguafood---how do I get to your blog?
Any thoughts on "Zum Schusterjungen" and "Noto?" "Marjellchen" looks promising--but their website gives no opportunity to make reservations online.

[linguafood]

Noto isn't worth it, really. I don't understand what Bruni thought was so freaking awesome about the place. I mean, the food's nice and all, but... eh.'

Haven't been to Schusterjunge.

My blog is listed on my profile.

[Pender]

Sorry to be so slow, but I have tried to find your blog in many different searches: could you post a link? Much appreciated, and if you ever visit Vancouver (Canada) we have an amazing food culture here; could give you excellent tips.

[wally]

Click on the name linguafood above. you may have to click on it again until it gives you the profile. scroll down until you see the word blog. click on the blog name to connect to it.

[linguafood]

:-)

What wally said.

[linguafood]

I do hope to visit Vancouver some day -- for the seafood and sushi alone it'd be worth the trip!

[Chinon00]

Checked Renger-Patzsch wine list. They have five red German bottles. Why wasn't I aware of this place last fall:(

[linguafood]

That is, indeed, surprising -- given how often it's mentioned on the Europe board and in Berlin threads.....

[Chinon00]

Marjellchen is a ten minute walk from my hotel so it's a must. Will a reservation be necessary here on a Friday evening?

[linguafood]

Depends on how large your party is. For 1-2 people -- doubtful.

But why not be on the safe side and give 'em a call?

[mausi7]

Oh gosh.. meant buegerlich.

[RUK]

Not that I have any suggestions, sorry, but - you seem to be asking for peasant food? Or food of the bourgeoisie. Both bue...words don't exist. Hmm.... :-)

[mausi7]

I misspelled it---should be bu(with umlaut) so" buergerlich"---in southern Germany it refers to non upscale , local, food.