My recent visit to Berlin was characterised by spontaneity. Unusually for me I had made no plans, except to meet up with friends. Nothing had been booked in advance – no exhibitions or galleries, no concerts or theatre. For once, I let others take the lead and just went with the flow. It was a great way to make some new dining discoveries as well as having plenty of time for strolling, chatting and chilling. The sun had been out over Easter and the tree-lined streets of Berlin looked green and fresh. Everything signalled that a Berlin summer was just around the corner. But for now, we still needed cosy restaurants for our evenings out. Here is a trio of restaurant treasures, all in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough in West Berlin.
My first discovery was ‘Xantener Eck’, just a stone’s throw from Adenauerplatz, on the south side of the Ku’damm. This historic pub-restaurant dating back to 1907 is one of the oldest in Berlin and as its name suggests it is set on the corner (‘Eck’) of Xantener Strass. Its wood-panelled walls are decorated with memorabilia, and it is said to have been a popular meeting place for Nazi Officers and for spies from the East and the West during the Cold War. It was also once the regular dining spot for the late Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The traditional setting took me back to student days in Heidelberg, but the German cuisine wasn’t heavy at all; great Schnitzel and asparagus, Flammkuchen and a fine selection of wines and beers. The service was excellent too. A definite top tip for anyone looking for an authentic Berlin experience.
In complete contrast, on the other side of Adenauerplatz is a relatively new Japanese-Vietnamese restaurant called ‘Mido’ – one of a chain in Berlin and recommended by my Japanese friend who has lived in Berlin for over 30 years. The elegant dining space decorated with flowers and wooden architectural features advertises itself as a place ‘to take time out from the stress of everyday life’. I loved both the calming vibe and the exciting menu of dishes from both Japan and Vietnam. The prices are reasonable and the service impeccable. Look out for ‘Mido’ in Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg as well.
Another great find was a recommendation from insiders who assured us that it was the best food they had eaten in Berlin. ‘La tía rica’ (meaning ‘the rich aunt’) is in Knesebeckstrasse, just north of Savignyplatz. It opened in 2012 and was the first Chilean restaurant in Berlin. The décor is warm and welcoming with candlelight on linen tablecloths and one long wall is lined with wine bottles. A perfect start to the evening is the famous ‘pisco sour’, a fresh aperitif to set the Chilean mood. The menu is simply fantastic; as well as regular dishes, there are many more exciting choices written on a black board brought to the table by the waiter who in our case could speak five or six languages. Fish is a speciality, but there are plenty of other options. Once again, the prices were very fair for outstanding quality and service. To top our evening two classical guitarists turned up for an hour or so to add to the atmosphere. I would advise booking a table – ‘La tía rica’ is extremely popular with locals.
