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Off Wittenbergplatz and into the hustle and bustle. As soon as I cross the street, I’m met by crowds of shoppers pushing past me. Sometimes the Ku’damm feels like an endless marathon. If you want to escape the chaos, Frizza Bistro has been the perfect setting for a short breather since December 2023. Philip and Paul Piskator, brothers and owners of Frizza, want to convey the feeling of an open, relaxed kitchen. The space transports you to a living room with pictures on the walls and large blackboards. Together with chef Kleant, Philip and Paul have developed a lunch concept reminiscent of home cooking: quick and simple, but particularly tasty and filling. The menu is straightforward and inspired by the brothers’ Italian roots, paired with their new ideas and creations. A favorite is the lasagna rolls, served either with homemade ragout or as a vegetarian option. Pappardelle with pistachio pesto and minestrone are bistro classics, along with desserts such as apple pie with miso caramel sauce or a chocolate crèmeux with olive oil, salt and chili. Other dishes change seasonally, and care is always taken to ensure there are plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
From time to time, the three of them come up with one or two specials that are only available for a short time, such as the burrata with fresh balsamic figs. If you enjoy wine with lunch, you’ll find what you are looking for here. Like the lunch menu, the wine list is compact and accessible, featuring a selection of natural wines, most of which come from Italy and Germany. Freshly squeezed juices, non-alcoholic cocktails and sodas are available for those who only toast with wine in the evening. With Frizza, Philip and Paul want to prove you don’t have to miss out on fresh, homemade dishes when you’re in a rush. Although the food at Frizza is served quickly, I like to sit here for a while to escape the chaos outside for a few more minutes.
Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen
Frizza, Nürnberger Str.8, 10787 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
@frizza.kitchen
When it comes to cocktails, I am pretty hard-bitten. Too smooth and sweet and I won’t be able to savor my drink in little, slow sips. It has to be bitter, bold and spine-tingling, thank you. No surprise, then, that my elixir of choice at Nox, the pop-up cocktail and tapas bar on Pannierstraße, is a drink called the “dirty”. Billed as a Tom Collins on a wild rendezvous with a Dirty Martini, it blends Gin Mare with olive, celery, apple and soda for a sharp and herby taste without being wince-inducing. Cheers, chin-chin and “Prost” to that. As for Nox itself, the bar was opened in September 2024 by a mixologist-turned-foodie trio: Arun Naagenthira Puvanendran of Kink, Nico Zillmann from bar Lost my Voice and Max Mössmer from Krass Böser Wolf. They joined forces to open a temporary location that is part small plates, part speakeasy. Drinks-wise, the menu is innovative and – if you like your tipples sweeter than I do – full of light, bright sippable cocktails like the “yellowish” with Herradura Plata tequila, kalamansi fruit, yellow tomato, turmeric and honey. The food, meanwhile, is served tapas style by chefs Julius and Martin but will certainly fill you up if needed.
The likes of the Thai Parmigiana di Melanzane, oysters and a Camembert Pastéis de Nata make indulgent accompaniments to the drinks. If you want more extensive eats, you can reserve a table at the back and get served a surprise menu. Nox is open for early doors Wednesday to Friday and runs gender-diverse nights on Saturday as a collab with the folks at Stueck bar. Best be quick, though – Nox is (sadly!) only open until the end of the month…
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Robyn Steffen
Nox Pop-up, Pannierstr.57, 12047 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Runs until 01.11.2024. You can reserve a table here.
@nox.cocktailbistro
North of Berlin lies the tranquil little town of Gransee. I only knew it as a stopover on the way to Fürstenberg or Neustrelitz (my highlights when it comes to hiking routes in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). With its limited atmosphere and charm, the train station never inspired me to explore the area further. But, after all these years, I was pleasantly surprised! Gransee is an impressive and picturesque old town, brimming with historic buildings. It’s a delight to wander through the narrow streets before heading into the forest and nature beyond. With coffee in hand from the traditional bakery, we marveled at the Powder Tower and Ruppiner Tor, the St. Spiritus Chapel, the 14th-century Marienkirche, the Granseer Wartturm, a monument to Queen Luise in the town square, a historic town wall, and a Franciscan monastery. Amidst these landmarks were charming old houses and quaint shops. Despite the idyllic tranquility, we were eager to reach the wilderness, which awaited us in the form of a hilly forest just beyond the houses. We were immediately rewarded with plenty of parasol mushrooms, which we passed up this time, choosing to fill our baskets with porcini mushrooms instead.
After traversing forest and meadow, we reached the Huwenowsee, with its large, empty bathing area — a perfect spot for a rest. The path along the shore of the Huwenowsee leads you to the second lake, the Dölchsee, and from there, it’s just a stone’s throw to the third, the “Big Dölchsee.” After enjoying this trio of lakes, the tour winds back into the forest, guiding you through the final third of the route to Gransee. For me, this hike has all the elements of a perfect tour: a varied landscape, few to no people, mushrooms to forage, and, of course, coffee to go at the start. In autumn, it’s worth starting early to account for the early sunset, as the hike spans 18 kilometers. Incidentally, my favorite discovery in Gransee was an old, now-closed gas station from the 1950s. An internet search revealed this “Grand See” petrol station once won a prize for the most beautiful gas station in Brandenburg.
Text & Photos: Laura Iriondo
Hike
@fortuna.forest
Can the Earth think? What may sound like an abstract question, posed by Swiss artist duo Fischli & Weiss, will be taken literally at the Humboldt Forum at the end of October, and rightly so. “99 Questions – On the Poetics of Loose Ends” is the title of the eight-day hybrid event combining a conference, symposium and exhibition, exploring cosmology, technology and diverse knowledge systems through art, workshops and discussions. The reappraisal of colonial history and the expansion of local perspectives to a global context are just some of the approaches aimed at radically rethinking the concept of the museum. From 25.10. to 02.11.2024, artists, weavers and thinkers from around the world will gather for this expansive program. “Textiles Semillas,” a feminist weaving project from northern Argentina, connects over 300 weavers and creates space for exchanging traditional techniques and activism. “South-to-South” builds bridges between Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo to explore African and Afro-diasporic technologies. Sarah Ndele presents her multimedia installation “Tell Me the Story”, in which she melts plastic into expressive masks, reinterpreting African narrative traditions. The entire event is rounded out with workshops, performances, talks and interactive sessions. For example, participate in the collaborative textile installation “La Crecida,” learn traditional weaving techniques, or combine weaving with digital storytelling in the workshop “Unflexible Code / Flexible Threads.” The events are free of charge and open to all. They will be held in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The full program can be found here.
Text: Alina Herbel / Credit: Alina Bardavid; Dzata: The Institute of Technological Consciousness (2022-2023). Russel Hlongwane, Francois Knoetze, Amy Louise Wilson
Humboldt Forum, Schloßpl.1, 10178 Berlin–Mitte; map
On the Poetics of Loose Ends – 99 Questions Gathering 25.10.–02.11.2024
@humboldtforum
For me, traveling means escaping to another city — a city where I discover places unfamiliar to me. Before each trip, I make a long list of things I want to see. I know the best memories tend to be unexpected and unplanned. Experiencing the city like a local is not only the idea behind this newsletter and Cee Cee in general but also the aim of my travels. And Duffle has made it its mission to uncover hidden gems that (until now) only locals knew of. Duffle is a platform that brings together independent, local brands from some of the most exciting cities in Europe. With hand-picked products, the app only allows you to purchase unique gifts and support small businesses, and it’s a true tribute to these cities. Each founder tells their own story through their brand, which is closely linked to the place where they live. The app launched at the beginning of October 2024 and currently offers virtual trips to Berlin, Lisbon and, as of today, Paris. Other major cities, such as Copenhagen, Barcelona, and Stockholm, will be available soon.
Among the offerings are our kombucha friends Bouche, Equality Fragrances with scents that celebrate individuality and diversity, and Helka Ceramics, whose “Good Mood Cups” bring a smile to everyone’s face. The curation by Berlin locals gives you a taste of what to expect in other cities. Beatriz Jardinha offers a glimpse at Lisbon with her jewelry, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern accents. Each piece is handmade and unique, inspired by ancient techniques and cultural narratives. And Eva Lé Ceramics not only creates her pieces in her small studio but offers a welcoming place to gather. Her vases and coffee cups might inspire your next vacation in Lisbon. Who knows… one of her workshops could take you on an exciting, unexpected journey among locals.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: +351, Beatriz Jardinha & C.R.T.D
Duffle
You can download the app here.
@duffleapp
ANMELDUNG