Berlin Reified | Food, design and life in Berlin

On the brink of 2012

In the era of early bedtimes, a festive lunch on the 31st seems just right. (Warm chestnut pancetta salad, fish chowder, and blood orange jellies to follow, if you're curious.)

An early happy New Year to you!

A season here, a season there

Two photos, one from summer, one from fall. Off to Scotland now, and back next week. I can't wait to tell you about the new place when I'm back.

Moved/Nazuna (Japanese in Berlin)

Now we're in a welter of boxes and Nazuna feels miles away. But since we moved to the new place I've slept better than I had for many months, and surely that's a good sign. Don't I always seem to be saying life feels in flux, full of change? The new flat might be my place to rest.

Speaking of outgrowing places, this site -- the way it looks -- has felt outdated for some time. I would love to make things fresh; I'm terrible at technical details. Do let me know if you're gifted at tweaking websites, and I will do my best to make it worth your while.

Though I've left Prenzlauer Berg, there's still so much to tell you about life there. One place I never managed to write about was Nazuna, though I certainly went often enough. I loved the sweet Kyotan woman behind the counter who carefully explains how to release the onigiri rice balls from their plastic husks; the jewelbox display cases of crisp tangy salads; the homemade mochi. She offers full-sized bento boxes but I prefer to put together a little lunch using whatever captures my eye. The other day it was shisho onigiri, a dish of radish salad and a black bean cheesecake to finish. It was hot, and my tall glass of barley tea dripped condensation. S was fractious, and in a thrice the chef had whipped up a tempting plate of fruit (look at how she's cut that apple!) to soothe her.

I might go back this weekend, when I've got a friend in town who'd surely appreciate such things. But now back into the fray of packing, unpacking, painting, rushing to the airport, working -- and all without internet at home, still! so be patient with me.

Nazuna, tiny Japanese eatery, Danziger Str 65, Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg (map)
Tel. 030 68 07 50 43
Open M-F noon-8pm, Sat noon-6pm (closed every 3rd Saturday in the month)

This light

I tell you the longest stories in my head and then I never write them down. Little and often!

Right now I'm chasing the light, enjoying our balcony as long as it's ours.

PS: Moving has got me a little crazy, of course.

Markthalle IX & Gutshof Britz

So excited to get this update from the Markthalle IX team. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how it all comes together, chiefly because two of the organizers are the men who do Meierei, which is, as you know, fabulous for the chilly weather we're heading towards. Speaking of which, I'm due for another round of Kaspressknödel sometime very soon, and if you are too, you should let me know. Also, has anyone been to the Gutshof Britz yet? I'm charmed by the story of a Michelin-starred chef quitting his hotel restaurant job to open a cozy country-style restaurant on an old estate at the city's fringes. Sunday lunch?

Markthalle IX opening, noon-7pm 1 October 2011, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Berlin-Kreuzberg (map)

Gutshof Britz, Alt-Britz 81, Berlin-Britz (map)
Open daily from noon