Bieberbau*

So this is just the fourth time we have dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant here in Berlin, as most of the time, we travel for these types of restaurants. But it was recently my husband's birthday, not to mention that it was a round-number anniversary for us, we wanted some sort of fancy dinner as a celebration. So we went to Bieberbau*. This is a restaurant in a neighbourhood that is close to where we live. In fact, we just walked there from home. I know of this restaurant, as I see it every now and then when we take walks, yet we never really had the chance to visit. So we went this time, as it has been awhile since we had a fancy dinner. The last time we dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant was when we were in Hallmann und Klee*, which was also in Berlin, last year.

Berlin Boogie: Auswärtiges Amt

The other federal agency I have visited during the weekend of the Open House of the German Federal Government was the Federal Foreign Office, or the Auswärtiges Amt. This is essentially Germany's Foreign Ministry. I have been here before, ages ago, during one other Open House Weekend. However, I haven't taken photos, and I wanted to check it out once again.

Berlin Boogie: Bundesministerium der Verteidigung

It has been more than a year since I last wrote a post on my Berlin Boogie series, which is the keyword I use whenever I do some sight-seeing within my adoptive hometown. A few months ago, during late summer, there was the Open House of the Federal Government, and I used this occasion to visit a couple of federal agencies. The first one I visited was actually the German Federal Ministry of Defence, located on the Bendlerblock Complex in Berlin.

Hallmann und Klee*

So this is just the third time we have dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant here in Berlin, as most of the time, we travel for these types of restaurants. But it was my birthday last summer, and we wanted some sort of fancy dinner as a celebration. So we went to Hallmann und Klee*. This is a restaurant in a neighbourhood that we typically don't frequent, but since they recently received a star, we thought that it would be a good idea to go now, before they raise prices. The last time we dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant was when we were in Jellyfish* in Hamburg, some months ago earlier this year.

Coffee Wars and the German Fear to Innovate

A news article caught my eye recently, which gave details on how a coffee chain that has several branches here in Berlin was on the receiving end of coordinated vandalism attacks. I wondered, why would anyone do that? And as I dug deeper, I realised it's another manifestation of the urge to adhere to tradition. And when there is innovation, there is disruption. And of course, people do not like that. In this case, people do not like the fact that there's someone offering cheaper coffee than the rest.

Things I Love in Berlin: The Boros Collection #4

I have been to the Boros Collection before. In fact, I have been there several times now. It is an art gallery that somehow has enough going on to intellectually challenge me every time I visit. So when they had a fourth showing, and my sister was in town, we decided to check it out.

Thirteen Years in Berlin

Thirteen years ago, on the 2nd of September 2012, I arrived in Berlin. At that time, I didn't know I would be staying. I suppose as an academic, I was used to, and also expecting, to be moving around, after a couple of years or so, and Berlin at that point was just another one extended stopover. In any case, I remember being wide-eyed at my surroundings, excited at the new things that would come. Looking back to that time, I find that the memories I have of my 9th move are still fresh, even though it's been 13 years since I arrived.

The Fall of BVG

This is not the first time I am ranting about Berlin's public transportation system. But given that it seems to really suck nowadays, I felt the need to rant again.

Commuting with Nerves of Steel

I have already written a few times about how sometimes, using Berlin's public transportation system is not a pleasant experience. There is always something that makes the whole ordeal not uneventful. And sometimes, one just needs to have nerves of steel to be able to go through the whole thing.

Berlin Is Not Germany It Seems

I've already ranted about this topic before. But I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that there are establishments that are operating in Berlin, who seems to be able to get away with not being able to speak German at all. I really am puzzled by this, and wonder why this is the case.

Berlin Boogie: The Westhafen Außenmagazin

Back in September, there was the Day of Open Monuments. I especially enjoy this weekend every year, as this is the time when buildings that are typically closed to the public actually open their doors and tours are conducted. I take this opportunity to find something new to do and see in Berlin, and learn a little bit more than what I already know. So this time, we went to Westhafen, as we had tickets for a tour of the Außenmagazin.

Berlin's Deteriorating Public Transportation System

Earlier this year, I ranted about Berlin's U8 metro line. It's a metro line that I try my best to avoid. But somehow, there's a part of me that is starting to think that I should avoid the entire public transportation system of Berlin. This, however, is an outcome I do not like.

Berlin Boogie: Altes Museum

If though I've been here in Berlin for more than a decade, I still have plenty of places I haven't visited. One such place is the Altes Museum. I have been to the museums in the Museuminsel so many times, yet for some reason, I have skipped the Altes Museum. So one day, when I had a day off, I decided to check it out.

Berlin Boogie: Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin

I've been here in Berlin for more than 10 years now. And during this time, I never had the chance to visit the ICC. I mean, I never attended a congress here in Berlin, not to mention that this venue has been closed for a while now, since 2014. The building is contaminated with asbestos, and needs to be renovated. But earlier during late summer last year, it opened for 2 days, as part of the Heritage Days. Entrance was free, but required a timed ticket. I quickly procured tickets, which allowed us to visit it one Friday evening, after work.

Tulus Lotrek*

In mid-November last year, my husband and I wanted to do something fancy. After all, it's the time of the year where anniversaries appear on the calendar. This time, it was our ten-year anniversary, so we were ready to splurge a little bit. Hence, we opted to make a reservation in Tulus Lotrek*. I've been eyeing this Michelin-starred restaurant since the time I actually arrived here in Berlin, but there was just no chance to make it happen. Until now. The last time we dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant was when we were in Benares* in London, when we were there during the summer of 2022.

The Stinky U8

As much as I am a fan of my home city (11 years and counting, by the way), there are nevertheless certains parts of Berlin where I would rather avoid if I can. One of these is the U8 U-Bahn line, which I have to say, I don't have a pleasant experience every time I am riding this metro line.

The Bubble of Prenzlauer Berg

The district of Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin is special in many ways. It's a bubble, it is unique, and it is quite different from the rest of Berlin, sometimes in positive and other times in negative ways.

The Year of Anniversaries

2022 is the year where several anniversaries converge, at least for me. In July I turned 40. In the same month, I clocked in 5 years in my current employer. And in September, it will be 10 years since I have moved to Berlin. This gives the opportunity to reflect where I am right now, how the past went, and how I want the future to be like.

The Return of the Weirdos

Berlin is a very diverse city. But sometimes it is too diverse that I do a double-take every now and then. You know, there are some characters you see on the street that just makes you scratch your head. And this summer, after some pandemic- and weather-related absence, they are back.

Renovating the Flat

After getting naturalised as a German citizen last summer, I don't have any major life projects at the moment. The only thing I could mention perhaps is this exercise that I am making, of making Berlin interesting again. This has many aspects, like finding new places to eat, as I mentioned earlier. Another aspect it has concerns our flat. We are renovating it.