Style:
Pizza, Canadian (?!) style
More:
Reviews:
This is considered to be one of the best pizza places in Berlin, or at least in Kreuzberg. The pizza is different from the basic Italian pizza, but is not as thick as American pizzas. It is a very small place, and in the winter, consider this (plus the fact that reservations seem out of the question): you might have to take your pizza with you or eat it outside.
The Canadian Press is all the rage. We liked it, but did not see it as heavenly.
The Basics:
Dieffenbachstraße 62, 10967, Berlin-Kreuzberg (U8 Schoenleinstrasse)
URL: http://www.myspace.com/rontelesky
+49 (0)30 61 62 11 111 43 74 64 70
Accessible? No, there are stairs getting into the half-basement shop
Child-Friendliness?
Related Tours/Sites:
Kreuzberg
A visit could be integrated with the Kreuzberg tour or with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
5 *****
4 ****
NH Berlin Heinrich HeineMercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof Airport
3 ***
Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven
Best Western Euro-Hotel BerlinMeininger City Hostel Hallesches UferBest Western Hotel am SpittelmarktHotel Erlanger Hof
2 **
Motel One Berlin-MitteMeininger City Hostel Tempelhofer UferA&O Mitte Ostbahnhof
1*
Hostels:
A&O Mitte OstbahnhofMeininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Meininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Ufer
Showing posts with label american. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Monday, 30 June 2008
Joe Peñas Cantina & Bar
Style:
Tex-Mex and Americanised Mexican
More: This restaurant is usually touted as great, but this is a negative review
Reviews:
Our first disappointment was when we first ordered: the big blackboard said that there is "eat as much as you can" Fajitas on Sunday, but the waitress notified us, that this is not relevant that day, because it was a match-day. I wonder - if a special price is not on - perhaps a restaurant should bother to erase it from the board, not advertise it? In any case, we were hours before the match.
When we gotten our food, it was dreadful: overly spiced chicken in the Chicken Caesar's Salad; uneatable Enchiladas with cold ingredients (that were supposed to be hot). We complained about something (wrong type of beverage brought to us) and got no compensation or even apology whatsoever. So much for an "American" restaurant. The only good dish that we have ordered was the Guacamole. It was made fresh in front of us, and tasted wonderful. I wish the rest of the meal was like this great entrée.
And then, when we were done? Waited some 20 minutes (in a not-so-busy restaurant) for the cheque. At the end, we went to the till, so we can't tell how long it would have taken.
The Basics: Marheinekeplatz 3, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg (U Gneisenaustr)
URL: Joe Penas (they don't have, mysteriously enough, the Berlin branch there, but this is the official website)
+49 30 69 360 44
Accessible? no disabled toilets (lots of stairs)
Child-Friendliness? no playground or play corner, but their children menu is another silver lining in an otherwise quite cloudy eating experience: children younger than 7 don't pay for their kiddie-meal; older children have to pay, but the amount is quite ridiculous.
Related Tours/Sites:
Kreuzberg
Could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour and with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
5 *****
4 ****
Winter's Hotel Berlin Mitte
3 ***
Hotel Riehmers Hofgarten
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Express By Holiday Inn Berlin City Centre
Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven
2 **
Hotel Columbia
aletto Jugendhotel
Motel One Berlin-Mitte
Hotel Am Anhalter Bahnhof
1*
Hostels:
Meininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Ufer
aletto Jugendhotel
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Tex-Mex and Americanised Mexican
More: This restaurant is usually touted as great, but this is a negative review
Reviews:
Our first disappointment was when we first ordered: the big blackboard said that there is "eat as much as you can" Fajitas on Sunday, but the waitress notified us, that this is not relevant that day, because it was a match-day. I wonder - if a special price is not on - perhaps a restaurant should bother to erase it from the board, not advertise it? In any case, we were hours before the match.
When we gotten our food, it was dreadful: overly spiced chicken in the Chicken Caesar's Salad; uneatable Enchiladas with cold ingredients (that were supposed to be hot). We complained about something (wrong type of beverage brought to us) and got no compensation or even apology whatsoever. So much for an "American" restaurant. The only good dish that we have ordered was the Guacamole. It was made fresh in front of us, and tasted wonderful. I wish the rest of the meal was like this great entrée.
And then, when we were done? Waited some 20 minutes (in a not-so-busy restaurant) for the cheque. At the end, we went to the till, so we can't tell how long it would have taken.
The Basics: Marheinekeplatz 3, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg (U Gneisenaustr)
URL: Joe Penas (they don't have, mysteriously enough, the Berlin branch there, but this is the official website)
+49 30 69 360 44
Accessible? no disabled toilets (lots of stairs)
Child-Friendliness? no playground or play corner, but their children menu is another silver lining in an otherwise quite cloudy eating experience: children younger than 7 don't pay for their kiddie-meal; older children have to pay, but the amount is quite ridiculous.
Related Tours/Sites:
Kreuzberg
Could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour and with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
5 *****
4 ****
Winter's Hotel Berlin Mitte
3 ***
Hotel Riehmers Hofgarten
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Express By Holiday Inn Berlin City Centre
Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven
2 **
Hotel Columbia
aletto Jugendhotel
Motel One Berlin-Mitte
Hotel Am Anhalter Bahnhof
1*
Hostels:
Meininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Ufer
aletto Jugendhotel
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Hard Rock Cafe
Style:
American (Chain)
More:
The regular "Hard Rock Cafe" flair. Home away from home for heartbroken Americans
Reviews: Yahoo! Travel has good reviews on HRC. They seem, by style, to all have bee written by teens and other illiterates.
We have been there with a group of American teens who have, indeed, enjoyed themselves. The food was good (but chain-like); and they are quite ready to host large groups, with fixed menu and quick service.
The Basics: Meinekestraße 21, 10719 Berlin-Carlottenburg (Kurfürstendamm)
URL: http://www.hardrock.com/
Accessible? yes
Child-Friendliness? when children are above a certain age, where they can be distracted by all the rock memorabilia and decorations
Related Tours/Sites:
KuDamm
Could be integrated with the Berlin Jewish Tour in West Berlin and with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
4 ****
Golden Tulip Hotel Residenz Berlin
3 ***
Hotel-Pension SAVOYBerlin Mark Hotel
Mark Hotel Meineke
2 **
Hotel Atlanta am Kurfürstendamm
American (Chain)
More:
The regular "Hard Rock Cafe" flair. Home away from home for heartbroken Americans
Reviews: Yahoo! Travel has good reviews on HRC. They seem, by style, to all have bee written by teens and other illiterates.
We have been there with a group of American teens who have, indeed, enjoyed themselves. The food was good (but chain-like); and they are quite ready to host large groups, with fixed menu and quick service.
The Basics: Meinekestraße 21, 10719 Berlin-Carlottenburg (Kurfürstendamm)
URL: http://www.hardrock.com/
Accessible? yes
Child-Friendliness? when children are above a certain age, where they can be distracted by all the rock memorabilia and decorations
Related Tours/Sites:
KuDamm
Could be integrated with the Berlin Jewish Tour in West Berlin and with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
4 ****
Golden Tulip Hotel Residenz Berlin
3 ***
Hotel-Pension SAVOYBerlin Mark Hotel
Mark Hotel Meineke
2 **
Hotel Atlanta am Kurfürstendamm
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
White Trash Fast Food
Style:
Bar/Club/American
More:
Trendy in your face place
Reviews:
Lola y Maria write in their blog: "WTFF serves up delicious Fried Chicken, Ribs, Burritos, etc...It was better BBQ than I've found in NYC..."
Like many other English language sources, Berlin-Life repeats the weird urban legend that White Trash Fast Food (WTFF) is "Housed in what was was once a Chinese restaurant favoured by Communist party big wigs". However, it also correctly writes that "Once you've seen Elvis holding aloft a quarter pounder in a Socialist style pose you've seen pretty much everything. After your meal no need to go elsewhere for post-dinner drinks."
The Basics:
Schönhauser Allee 6-7, 10119 Berlin-Mitte (Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz)
+49 (0)30 503 48 668
URL: White Trash Fast Food
Accessible?
Child-Friendliness?
Related Tours/Sites:
Volksbuehne, Mitte
Could be integrated with The Jews and Booze tour or with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
3
Hotel Jurine Berlin-Mitte
Myer´s Hotel Berlin
2-3
Ibis Hotel Berlin Mitte
Flower's Boardinghouse Mitte
Meininger City Hostel & Hotel Prenzlauer Berg
Bar/Club/American
More:
Trendy in your face place
Reviews:
Lola y Maria write in their blog: "WTFF serves up delicious Fried Chicken, Ribs, Burritos, etc...It was better BBQ than I've found in NYC..."
Like many other English language sources, Berlin-Life repeats the weird urban legend that White Trash Fast Food (WTFF) is "Housed in what was was once a Chinese restaurant favoured by Communist party big wigs". However, it also correctly writes that "Once you've seen Elvis holding aloft a quarter pounder in a Socialist style pose you've seen pretty much everything. After your meal no need to go elsewhere for post-dinner drinks."
The Basics:
Schönhauser Allee 6-7, 10119 Berlin-Mitte (Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz)
+49 (0)30 503 48 668
URL: White Trash Fast Food
Accessible?
Child-Friendliness?
Related Tours/Sites:
Volksbuehne, Mitte
Could be integrated with The Jews and Booze tour or with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
3
Hotel Jurine Berlin-Mitte
Myer´s Hotel Berlin
2-3
Ibis Hotel Berlin Mitte
Flower's Boardinghouse Mitte
Meininger City Hostel & Hotel Prenzlauer Berg
Monday, 12 May 2008
Nola (Tiergarten)
Style:
Californian Cuisine// Bistro // Cocktail Bar
More:
There is another Nola, the Nola am Weinberg, which will receive separate post
Reviews:
A Qype user praises in German the cocktails and the food, but notes that the prices are a bit expensive.
The Basics:
Dortmunder Str. 9, 10555 Berlin- Tiergarten/Moabit (U Hansaplatz or Turmstrasse)
+49 (0)30 399 69 69
URL: Nola
Accessible?
Child-Friendliness?
Related Tours/Sites:
In Tiergarten/Moabit
It could be integrated with the Jewish West Berlin Tour; and with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
Gold Inn adrema Hotel (4 ****)
Golden Tulip Hotel Park Consul (3 ***)
Hotel Les Nations (3 ***)
Hotel Hansablick (3 ***)
Hotel Tiergarten Berlin (3 ***)
Californian Cuisine// Bistro // Cocktail Bar
More:
There is another Nola, the Nola am Weinberg, which will receive separate post
Reviews:
A Qype user praises in German the cocktails and the food, but notes that the prices are a bit expensive.
The Basics:
Dortmunder Str. 9, 10555 Berlin- Tiergarten/Moabit (U Hansaplatz or Turmstrasse)
+49 (0)30 399 69 69
URL: Nola
Accessible?
Child-Friendliness?
Related Tours/Sites:
In Tiergarten/Moabit
It could be integrated with the Jewish West Berlin Tour; and with customised Berlin tours
Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:
Gold Inn adrema Hotel (4 ****)
Golden Tulip Hotel Park Consul (3 ***)
Hotel Les Nations (3 ***)
Hotel Hansablick (3 ***)
Hotel Tiergarten Berlin (3 ***)
Sunday, 17 February 2008
The Bird
The Basics:
Am Falkplatz 5, 10435 Prenzlauer Berg (S+U Schoenhauser Allee)
Tel.: +49 (0)30 51053283
URL: thebirdinberlin.com
Accessible? no (restaurant is very crowded, no place for a wheelchair; and the toilets are in the bottom floor, with many stairs to go)
Child-Friendliness? very little if any: no high chairs, no play corner; but one would imagine that they are willing to tolerate kids in the Victorian fashion (it is Prenzlauer Berg, after all, so even the least child friendly places can expect having the PBerg parents coming off for a lunch)
Style:
American burger and steak house
Related Tours/Sites:
Prenzlauer Berg
Could be integrated with a Jews and Booze tour and with customised Berlin tours
More:
The Bird is currently considered one of the best steak/burger bars in Berlin; however, see our own review for some critique
Reviews:
Simon Kingsley, Variety, Jan 25 2008
Our review:
The Bird is a "New York style steak bar" hidden on a side street of Prenzlauer Berg, not far from the Schoenhauser Allee train station. It has, as it says itself, very little "variety" on its menu: steaks (with prices from 12.5) and all types of burgers with creative names, including "The Dumb Texan. with a fried egg" (I think that this dumb Texan has gotten a good deal here, given the nice burgers). There are also wings, fries, clubs sandwich and Caesar's salads. The latter also comes as a "big Caesar's salad", which is a great thing: a big Caesar's salad (optional: with anchovies) with 200 grams of steaks next to it.
The Bird has excellent meat, although IMHO a bit over-touted in the sense that there are several fine meat restaurants in Berlin that are not American (but "Argentinian"), and that there is this general feeling that (some) Americans would not try the Argentinian (or any other non-American) steak house for that matter. The "Argentinians" are notably cheaper than The Bird, and although - as mentioned before - the quality at the Bird is higher, one must ask themselves if the difference between a 32 EUR steak and an 8 EUR one is not a little too much.
But this is really afterthought, because we actually enjoyed our meal. Or maybe I should say: would have enjoyed our meal hadn't it been for the fact that towards the end of it, we see from the corner of our eye that the table next to us has just ordered an ashtray. This has just ruined our lovely meal, which was in fact for a specific ocassion, of someone who was waiting to go there, to have "real medium rare hamburgers in Berlin". The hamburgers are indeed good and also made medium rare, but it is just not fun to sit and eat when you're being smoked at, especially if you have expected a non-smoking restaurant.
There is a law against smoking in public places (restaurants) in Berlin. A restaurant can, if it chooses to, designate a separate room for smokers; but it cannot use the main hall for smokers. Well, guess what? Despite the fact that the restaurant has more than enough in its share of customers and certainly doesn't need to suck up to their whims, it just would not obey that law. I will leave it for the reader to decide whether or not this is possible in a "real" American restaurant, say in San Francisco or NYC, where smokers obediently wait outside the restaurant to satisfy their addiction, would do something like that (and ruin the evening for most other customers: it is not only militant non-smokers who hate their food being smoked at; it is also people who care about their taste buds, even smokers, who'd rather have the smoke outdoors and be considerate of others).
Am Falkplatz 5, 10435 Prenzlauer Berg (S+U Schoenhauser Allee)
Tel.: +49 (0)30 51053283
URL: thebirdinberlin.com
Accessible? no (restaurant is very crowded, no place for a wheelchair; and the toilets are in the bottom floor, with many stairs to go)
Child-Friendliness? very little if any: no high chairs, no play corner; but one would imagine that they are willing to tolerate kids in the Victorian fashion (it is Prenzlauer Berg, after all, so even the least child friendly places can expect having the PBerg parents coming off for a lunch)
Style:
American burger and steak house
Related Tours/Sites:
Prenzlauer Berg
Could be integrated with a Jews and Booze tour and with customised Berlin tours
More:
The Bird is currently considered one of the best steak/burger bars in Berlin; however, see our own review for some critique
Reviews:
Simon Kingsley, Variety, Jan 25 2008
Our review:
The Bird is a "New York style steak bar" hidden on a side street of Prenzlauer Berg, not far from the Schoenhauser Allee train station. It has, as it says itself, very little "variety" on its menu: steaks (with prices from 12.5) and all types of burgers with creative names, including "The Dumb Texan. with a fried egg" (I think that this dumb Texan has gotten a good deal here, given the nice burgers). There are also wings, fries, clubs sandwich and Caesar's salads. The latter also comes as a "big Caesar's salad", which is a great thing: a big Caesar's salad (optional: with anchovies) with 200 grams of steaks next to it.
The Bird has excellent meat, although IMHO a bit over-touted in the sense that there are several fine meat restaurants in Berlin that are not American (but "Argentinian"), and that there is this general feeling that (some) Americans would not try the Argentinian (or any other non-American) steak house for that matter. The "Argentinians" are notably cheaper than The Bird, and although - as mentioned before - the quality at the Bird is higher, one must ask themselves if the difference between a 32 EUR steak and an 8 EUR one is not a little too much.
But this is really afterthought, because we actually enjoyed our meal. Or maybe I should say: would have enjoyed our meal hadn't it been for the fact that towards the end of it, we see from the corner of our eye that the table next to us has just ordered an ashtray. This has just ruined our lovely meal, which was in fact for a specific ocassion, of someone who was waiting to go there, to have "real medium rare hamburgers in Berlin". The hamburgers are indeed good and also made medium rare, but it is just not fun to sit and eat when you're being smoked at, especially if you have expected a non-smoking restaurant.
There is a law against smoking in public places (restaurants) in Berlin. A restaurant can, if it chooses to, designate a separate room for smokers; but it cannot use the main hall for smokers. Well, guess what? Despite the fact that the restaurant has more than enough in its share of customers and certainly doesn't need to suck up to their whims, it just would not obey that law. I will leave it for the reader to decide whether or not this is possible in a "real" American restaurant, say in San Francisco or NYC, where smokers obediently wait outside the restaurant to satisfy their addiction, would do something like that (and ruin the evening for most other customers: it is not only militant non-smokers who hate their food being smoked at; it is also people who care about their taste buds, even smokers, who'd rather have the smoke outdoors and be considerate of others).
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