2 hours train for dinner at Restauracja Opera | Szczecin

The Opera Restaurant formerly known as the Kuncu Corridor is situated on the beautiful Pomeranian Dukes' Castle ground. The castle was rebuilt after war and has since became the administrative and cultural institute aimed to promote artistic events. The first time I visited, there was a concert going on and we were not allowed to visit but was lucky enough to be let through later on for a quick browse since M told the guards that I came from very far away and it would be ashamed not to be able to see the beautiful architecture. It is obvious I am not European. I am really glad they were nice enough to let us through so we managed to experience the very romantic space especially with the lovely live music playing.

The Pomeranian Dukes' Castle (photo courtesy of Marcin Bauer)

In the square of The Pomeranian Dukes' Castle (photo courtesy of Marcin Bauer)

Look who's happy!! (photo courtesy of Marcin Bauer)

At the restaurant entrance (photo courtesy of Marcin Bauer)

This time back in Szczecin after a 2 hours train ride from Berlin and a short rest, it was a real blessing to be back on the castle grounds and dine in the restaurant for a combine catch up with some mates and my birthday dinner. The interior has Gothic vaults and walls styled by one of the best Polish designers Ryszard Kaja. The restaurant has quite an intimate space and has live piano and jazz music from Thursdays to Saturdays. Food here has won several awards for its Polish cuisine

Marynowana plers kurczaka w miodzie drahimskimi i kremie balsamicznym podowana

Chicken with skin wedges in balsamic cream and potatoes

Szynka z dzika po polsku - 3 dni przed podeniem marynowana w winie i korzeniach podawana z clemnym sosem i ziemniakami

Roasted ham of wild boar (marinated in wine for 3 days) served with dark sauce and potatoes were very tender and tasty

Blust kaczy duscony w wermucie, podawany z sosem sliwkowym z dodatkiem mlodu drahimskiego z kluseczkami

Duck breast in plum sauce was perfectly cooked

Moist baked halibut with cherry tomatoes

Apple pie and ice cream with a candle!! :) (photo courtesy of Marcin Bauer)

I would really recommend this restaurant for its ambience, good food and good service.

Restauracja Opera
(Formerly the Kuncu Corridor)
70-540 Szczecin
Pomeranian Dukes' Castle
Street. Corsair 34

70-540 Szczecin
Zamek Książąt Pomorskich
ul. Korsarzy 34

Tel: (+48) 601 732 300, (+48) 91 434 17 10 

Open daily from 11:00-23:00

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My first Currywurst | Berlin

Currywurst is the most popular and favourited fast food in Berlin. It is said to have sold an estimated 70 million servings a year in Berlin and about 800 million servings in Germany. That is an awful lot of sausages! A currywurst is steamed and fried pork sausages, cut into slices, covered with tomato based sauce and curry powder usually served with a bread roll or fries alongside.

My first ever Currywurst

I am not a currywurst connoisseur. In fact, it was the first currywurst I have ever had. Where better to try currywurst than in Berlin. I was pretty surprised that the sausage was actually served with ketchup and some sprinkling of curry powder on top. I was expecting some sort of curry sauce, almost like chicken curry but with sausage. Although we did not try those from specialist currywurst shop, I still like our Currywurst Express experience as our first try. At least now I have an idea of what it actually is and understand why this is the most popular fast food in Berlin. It is so very easy to recreate at home or anywhere, really. All you need is three ingredients for the most basic of all currywurst. But if you insist on a more authentic alternative, there's always an option of making your own sauce.

If you speak to any locals about currywurst, you will find that it is difficult to come to an agreement on the perfect currywurst as each of them likes it their own way. Some would even say that those served with tomato ketchup is not authentic and has to be some sort of stewed tomato based gravy. The Berliners obviously take their popular fast food very seriously as there is even a Currywurst Museum! So if you are ever in Berlin, do have some currywurst.

Here is the top few places for currywurst as compiled by Gourmet.com .

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Bauhaus-Archiv and gooey chocolate fondant at Rote Harfe | Berlin

Bauhaus-Archiv

Having celebrated my birthday a week ahead in London, it is now the actual day and in a different city!! How brilliant! The day started late but we managed to visit the Bauhaus-Archiv which was my priority. It was a good exhibition but small though apparently they change them quite often so there's reason to return. Do spend some time at the shop as well cause there are many well designed items. I was about to buy half the shop home but I only left with a bag of goodies and a big smile!!

Outside seating of the Bauhaus cafe

Berlin TV Tower

Initially we wanted to have dinner at the restaurant on the top of the TV tower but it was fully booked! And there was a wait of at least an hour to be able to get up there so we didn't bother. Instead, we went to the Kreuzberg borough (the trendy district) instead.

After a long stroll, we decided to dine at what seem like a relaxing restaurant with doors all opened up to be seamless with the open-air patio space. To be honest, I was not expecting much out of this restaurant as it was completely an instinctive choice for decent food. It surprised us throughout the night. The staff was really attentive and friendly, it had a great view and pretty relaxed setting with many framed arts on the walls. Most important of all, the food impressed us. They were not fancy or dainty with flavours that would blow your mind but it they were tasty, well-cooked, well-presented food and of decent portions, enough to satisfy three gluttons.

More beer for us!!

Grilled lamb chop with grille vegetables, herbs & yogurt dip, potato au gratin

I have to say my lamb was the best dish amongst ours. Quality and locally sourced ingredients

Grilled chicken skewer on mango chutney with grilled vegetables and rice

Nice and pink rump steak with herb butter, baked potatoes, and salad

Beautiful red rose from my sweetheart

Chocolate fondant made specially for us, and candle for me for turning a  year older :)

The perfectly made fondant with gooey centre

Smile..

Good honest food, good service, perfect chocolate fondant.

Frown..

Perfect gooey centre in the chocolate fondant = nothing to frown about.

Will I return?

Hell yeah!!

Rote Harfe

Core Tex Records 13,
10999 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 6184446

Closest station:  Görlitzer Bahnhof (U Bahn), Kottbusser Tor (U Bahn)

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Intimes: First meal in Berlin & amazing bread | Berlin

When I was told that my birthday present is a trip to Berlin two days before departure, I was so psyched about it that I forgot to look up on what’s usually on top of my travel list, places to eat! Oh well, guess we’ll leave this to chance. It’ll be a way to test our good ol’ instincts!



Luckily we have a friend who recently moved to Berlin so we have someone who has more clue than us. He to took us to the east side of Berlin on our first night of arrival as he thinks I might like the area. Well, he was right. Although late and dark on a week night, I quite like the expressive culture of the area.



We weren't sure where to eat but we finally settled on Intimes, located somewhere in between Franfurter Tor and Samariterstraße. It looked chilled and lovely with many outdoor tables, decorated with little pots of flower and candles. It was charming and quite intimate even though a part of the wall is covered in graffiti. I quite like the feel of it. It was about 11pm by the time we sat down but luckily the kitchen opens till midnight so we were lucky we won’t be starving through the night.



The staff was very friendly and when I asked to recommend a good local beer, Roter Oktober was recommended. TIck.

The very memorable bread, now one of my favourites. It was freshly baked, warm, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. It was perfect with my light dinner of soup.

I ordered the carrot, ginger and mint soup which has sweetness for the carrot, a punch from the ginger and freshness from the mint. I was initially unsure about the combination but after tasting it, I must say I really liked it.

The guys ordered tagliatelle and chicken with rice which was really tasty. This very first meal actually gave us a good impression of quality food we will be encountering soon. A pretty positive start.

I like how they wrap paper bags around candle holder for a dimmer light

Samariterstraße U Bahn

Smile..

Good and friendly service. Amazing bread.

Frown..

It's making me miss the bread!

Will I return?

Of course I will, if I live there. Apparently it's a cinema too! WIll have to check that out next time.

Intimes

Boxhagener Strasse 107
(Friedrichshain)
10245 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 29666457

Closest station:  Samariterstraße (U Bahn), Frankfurter Tor (U Bahn)

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