Chapter 4: Food. Where to eat?

"I met a keen observer who gave me a tip:'If you run across a restaurant where you often see priests eating with priests, or sporting girl eating with sporting girls, you may be confident that is good. Those are two classes of people who like to eat well and get their money's worth.'" A.J. Liebling (columnist)

The supper time is coming soon.So I decided to talk about my favourite places in Berlin before you'll feel hunger. Maybe you'll visit one of these places. I don't want to do my Top 10 or something like that, that's why I just make a list of places I visit a lot. I love all of them!

Ok,let's get started. I want to open my list with most elegant restaurant I've ever been. It is "Reste Fidèle"( Bleibtreustraße 41, 10623 Berlin, Germany. You can visit it in evening.). Sorry, I don't have much pictures from there, but I'll show you my dessert, sorbet :-) Best part, ha?
First, what I want to let you know and I think this is important - it is expensive restaurant. And, I guess, this would be exactly the reason why I am always so sceptical when we come to places, which belong to this category.When you pay a lot - you expect a lot. I think it's pretty fair. Well, this place worth it to leave there money. "Reste Fidele" is a good combo of charming atmosphere and delicious food. Every dish is made with love and care, looks like a peace of art. They serve amazing sea food and best French wine. Interesting thing is that Monsieur Mira Vranje - owner - cater his clients himself. There are waiters, of course. But he likes to make sure everybody are happy. He is very interesting person to talk - he knows a lot. Seems like this restaurant is just like a child for him.
Resume: if you have money to pay, if you adore old French songs, good wine and delicious see food, if you want everything to be perfect - visit Monsieur Mira Vranje. He'll be very glad to see you.

But we'll better keep going. Let's visit some Thai restaurant and this would be "Papaya am Kleistpark"(Hauptstraße 159, 10827 Berlin). I am really sorry I don't have any pictures of this place, but I am sure you'll get your inspiration after you'll read this :-)
"Papaya" is very good for your regular lunch or supper. It works out for both. It is pretty small, but comfy. What catches your eye is that there are orchids everywhere. Not just orchids, but different kinds and colours of this flower. They serve all drinks with orchids also. I absolutely love it! I think I've already tried almost everything they have on menu (and it is pretty big) and I did like every single dish. I am curry fan! But you already know that. What keeps surprising me every time I go there is "week special" part, which you'll surely find at the first page of menu. They have very interesting dishes, but for limited time. So, you better try something! There are not lots of noises there, people speak to each other quietly. So, you sit there, listening to the music, drinking your Thai-coffee (better than any "Starbucks", believe me) and enjoying spicy dish. Meal there is amazing, very tasty! Prices are just normal there, I would say middle-category. They have very cheap stuff also.It depends on how monstrous your hunger is, hehe

Let's get some Sushi-Food. I think there is not that much to describe, because, surely, many of you know how sushi look like. I've been to many sushi-bars in Berlin, but found only one that happen to be very cheap and tasty. It is "Akiko Sushi" ( here is the link http://www.akikosushi.de/) in
Berlin-Steglitz. This is really good place, very small one though, but still comfortable. People who work there do care about clients, that's for sure. You also can order sushi and come to pick up your order. So, if you want to visit this place be there already at 12! It's hard to find a free table, except you're the lucky one! ;-)

Next place on my personal list would be "Ixthys" (Pallasstraße 21, 10781 Berlin). I told about this place so much that I think all my university mates already were there. Well this is a good place. You, surely would go there not for the atmosphere, but delicious Korean food. Very small room with just few tables. There are only two ladies, who take orders,cook the food, prepare the dishes and serve them.It's not hard to figure out they own this place. Menu is pretty small. What is really weird and at the same time nice about this bistro are walls. They are decorated with passages from bible. And you sit there, waiting a little bit longer than normal, drinking you coke or tee (there is no chance to buy any alcohol there) and reading these passages. Somehow, you feel yourself calm and relaxed.People almost don't talk there out loud, you can hear only somebody's whispering. I put a picture of the noodles with meet and some vegetables and egg. Very delicious! Surely, best Korean food in Berlin.


Ok, what's next? This is Tony Roma's ( the link: http://www.tonyromas.de/) right on Potsdamer Platz.
This place is great not because it's so central only. You can try the best ribs in town. Of course it's going to cost you, but it worth it to pay. They serve American food: ribs, burgers etc. Restaurant is huge, consists of two floors. They have good drinks.
Portions are big, so you better don't order too much. Love this place, because when I come there I feel I am welcome. Isn't it the best feeling? I
would suggest this place for family lunch or business meeting - suites perfectly! Waiters are just golden there, same as in Monsieur Vranje's restaurant they know every single answer on any of your questions :-)

And, finally, we've come to Italian Food. Please, come in "Opera Italiana" in Charlottenburg (here is the link: http://www.opera-italiana.com/, you can find all information about this place and see the pictures). Not everybody know about this restaurant, because it's location is a little bit hidden. Actually, it's just opposite Charlottenburg Palace. So, after nice lunch or dinner you can take a long walk in the park of Charlottenburg Palace. Well, as all Italian restaurants, this one gives you a family feeling as you just came at good friend's place and his whole family welcome you warmly. It is pretty expensive restaurant too and that's because the quality of food is very high. There is also pretty loud here...What should I say? Italian temper! :-) Best Lambrusco and pasta, anyway.

Oh, this place is the last in my list. And somebody would say it is funny even mention it, because it is not a restaurant and hardly bistro...However, they serve best grilled meet! It's called Pasha Grill 5, just on the other side of the street, right in front of my house. If you want to visit - write me, I'll explain you how to get there, because I don't even know the exact address. This bistro has only 4 tables, it's Turkish. It is incredibly cheap. Yo can get a grilled meat plate with potato or rice and salad, and sauce for 6 Euro only. Very tasty! The place itself is rather nice and even comfy, clean also. We eat there very often.

Wow, that was a long post! These were places I visit a lot and love them for their food and atmosphere. Hope, it was somehow helpful for you. The only thing I have to do now is to wish you "Bon Appetit"! :-)

Sincerely yours,
Lady Svetlana.