The past month and a couple of weeks were crazy when it came to my schedule. June is national day month and for diplomats and their wives, that’s the busiest month of the year. I’ve been a lot slower in writing about some of the interesting things happening in Berlin but I’m happy you’re still here. Thanks for sticking around. The next few months are bound to be a lot better in this space. Fingers crossed nothing comes up in between. 🙂 With the apologies out of the way, let me go ahead and tell you about two Berlin restaurants that recently opened. Restaurants that I ended up loving and coming back to for personal visits after I was invited to attend their openings – Joseph and Pincho Nation.
Pincho Nation
Are you a Gemini? My husband and I both are. Deciding over where to eat and what to order takes forever. Getting overwhelmed with choices is something so real for us when it comes to food and movies. If you suffer from the same sun sign or have the same issues, then there’s a restaurant for that.
Swedish restaurant chain Pincho Nation recently opened in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district. Named after the Basque country’s small bites, they offer different dishes in bite-sized portions. Why limit yourself to just one dish when you can try everything you want? Pinchos offers different cuisines in its menu – from paella to risotto, fried dumplings and even a steak.
It’s also the only restaurant chain in the world where all transactions – from booking a table, ordering your food and paying for it – are done through an app. Talk about challenging the status quo in Germany. A country where cash is still king and card payments don’t make restaurant owners too happy.
The restaurant is a feast for the eyes, with so many things to ignite one’s curiosity. Restaurant Manager Michael Amelung says even he gets surprised. “There’s always something new in the restaurant, I made a turn in one of the corners to find our a new area with the pastel colours. I knew we have such a room but somehow, it was still surprising since each corner can be so different from the other,” he shared.
Despite the gamification of your dining experience, extrovert customers can still enjoy human interaction. Once your order is up, you get a notification on your phone to pick it up. The open kitchen also serves as the pick-up counter where you can watch your food being prepared. Friendly kitchen crew are always up for a chat and can tell you more about what you’re having.
If you’re a Filipino living in Berlin, good news. One of their chefs is Filipino! Von is also planning on injecting some Filipino dishes into the menu soon. So do watch out for that.
Don’t forget to order: Their cocktails and seafood paella
Pincho Nation
Meinekestraße 22, 10719 Berlin
Open daily from 1600-2200
Call them at: 0173 3788900
Visit their website here
Joseph
It’s no secret that I’m now a huge fan of Levantine food – especially after that visit to Layla. So when the new Hotel Amo in Mitte decided to open an Israeli restaurant as part of their establishment, I was really excited. Joseph is the new venture of the Ardinast brothers and offers “New Israeli” cuisine. Yossi Elad who’s been running restaurants in Israel and the UK for years was brought to Berlin to develop the menu.
Spoiler alert: It was nothing short of amazing.
What is Israeli cuisine anyway? Elad says the beauty of Israeli cuisine is how it brings together dishes from different parts of the region and even some elements from Europe. What sets it apart is how it is done – the Israeli way.
The place is as inviting as the food. Like Hotel AMO, Joseph is a warm and inviting space. Earth tones, as well as black-and-white photos featuring Israel decorate the restaurant. A nod to the childhood of the people behind Joseph, spent mostly in the Jewish state where they got familiar with the cuisine.
The menu boasts of diversity with most of its bestsellers are maintained at an affordable price point. The eggplant carpaccio will only set you back EUR9 – amazing for the quality you’re getting at a hotel restaurant. Ingredients come from sustainable farms in the region and the dishes are prepared with the current season and freshness in mind.
I’ve already been back to the restaurant twice after its opening for private visits. It’s pretty near our embassy so it’s a great place to bring my husband’s guests after a meeting.
Don’t forget to order: Aubergine Carpaccio, the salmon with falafel crust, and their mixed skewer plate.
Joseph
Friedrichstraße 113, 10117 Berlin
Open on Mondays to Saturdays from 1230-1430 and 1800-0000
Call them at: 030 314950700
Visit their website here
