REPORTS


BRL

LITTLE OTIK IN BERLIN

In the lovely Graefestrasse in Kreuzberg emerged last summer a little gem of a restaurant, named Little Otik. It is run bij two men who moved here from New York, which results in a perfect blend of Berlin honesty and American hospitality. Wether you sit down at one of the long wooden tables or have your dinner at the bar, the subtle lightning and classy rustic interior makes you feel at home.

The appetisers such as brown sugar roasted chili almonds and a simple but oh so delicious pickle plate are setting the standard for the rest of evening. Go for a selection of their vegetables or perfectly cooked meat and fish dishes, either way you won't be disappointed; the food is absolutely amazing. With an extensive wine list and mouth watering desserts, this is by far my favorite restaurant in Berlin.

Website Little Otik



Reported by Niki Kerverzee

BRL

60 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE

Because Travelteq opened an office in Berlin, I recently moved to this exciting city. Compared to a much smaller city like Amsterdam, Berlin feels like it has an endless range of restaurants, bars and clubs. Every week I discover a new club. It seems there are new ones popping up every month. Mostly these new places are temporary, like a new spot that opened up in an old swimming pool last week.

Although I’m discovering new places every week, I still have my favourites. The legendary club Berghain, and now the Kater Holzig. The Kater Holzig was founded this summer  by the same guys that are behind the formal Bar 25. When entering Kater Holzig you feel you haven’t experienced anything like it before. The place is not easy to get in, but once you are in, you will discover you have entered a place where friends can be made and time doesn’t exist. Aside from the two dance areas inside you have a lot of places to hang outside and chill in the sun. You can sit at the dock and look out over the river Spree. Or you can lay yourself down on one of the vintage couches on the wooden platforms.

The club opens up friday night and doesn’t close until wednesday morning. Yes, the club is open for more then 60 hours in a row, which is a long time, even in Berlin. There are always dj’s playing from all over the world, famous or (yet) unknown. It doesn’t matter who the dj is, people are always dancing. This magical place even has a restaurant inside. The eatery is good, but not as good as getting yourself a gin and tonic from the bar, together with a freshly made pizza with artichokes from the outside stone oven pizza bar, and just sit on the dock of the Spree.

Reported by Sophie van Bentum

BRL

SUMMER IN BERLIN
Along a meander of the Spree river in Berlin's most buzzing neighbourhood Kreuzberg lies the infamous Club der Visionare. Many DJ's have spinned their records here for more than 12 hours in a row, so it's no wonder that its reputation is as magical as its location. Escape the summer heat on its stretched out terrace in the shadows of the willowtree and wait for the sun to set. As soon as the evening falls and the many colored light bulbs start glowing, the small boathouse accomodating the bar and the DJ-booth fills itself with a nice dancing crowd. With a relaxed doorpolicy and filled with people from the music industry, this really is the perfect place to start your Berlin night out.


Reported by Niki Kervezee special guest editor

BRL

COOKIES CREAM IN BERLIN

Walk past the official entrance on Friedrichstrasse into the sleazy back street alley, past the car garage and garbage bins untill you think this cannot be the right direction; then you will see the theatrical lit backdoor of the vegetarian restaurant Cookies Cream, owned by and named after one of Berlin's most famous inhabitants, Cookie. The typical Berlin rough concrete walls, white table linen and fresh lilies make you realize instantly why the restaurant is as beloved as his club on the ground floor.

They have a weekly changing menu, super friendly staff and a kitchen team that makes every dish looking like a piece of art. The crowd is a mix of local "mitte" inhabitants and rockstar hipsters. Come on Thursday or Saturday if you like to party after dinner.



Reported by Niki Kervezee special guest editor

BRL

BAR TAUSEND IN BERLIN
Last weekend I was in my favorite European city; Berlin. I ended up going to the unofficial afterparty of the Deutsche Filmpreise (the German Oscars) at bar Tausend.
This bar really is a hidden treasure. It's the place where the art and film directors of Berlin hang out.  The bar area is small but beautifully decorated.  I danced the whole night
to the spicy tunes of trendy Berlin dj's, while drinking my new favorite cocktail; Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger beer, cucumber, lemon and mint). I arrived there after midnight, but it's also possible to have dinner at bar Tausend. Make sure you are dressed correctly (i.e. Berlin style) because the door bitch is picky. Schiffbauerdamm 11, 10117 Berlin.

Reported by Sophie van Bentum