You know how it goes: Your Facebook friend count stands around 1000, yet you eat dinner alone, bathed in the soft glow of your laptop screen. Here to change that is Simo Azzaoui, who recently returned to Berlin after a stint in New York, where he conceived his social dining revolution: evenings centred around food, talks and art in private homes. All without smartphones — yes, they’re banned. But here, you won’t need notification distraction. You’ll be too busy enjoying home-cooked meals created by aspiring chefs, short talks on topics such as vertical farming or sustainable food, and art experiences such as music performances or guided meditations. Whatever you’re into, there’ll be an evening to match on Foodisch’s website, which was launched in December 2016 and is regularly updated with the latest events. It’s hard to think of a more stimulating way to spend an evening. (Text: Sabko Neddermeyer / Photos: Simo Azzaoui)

Foodisch, various dates and locations. Subscribe to the newsletter to stay updated.

Sabko Neddermeyer has been living in Prenzlauer Berg since 2000. She writes concepts for advertising agencies as a freelancer and blogs as an author for Looping.

From to bagels and blintzes to pickles and pastrami, Jewish cooking traditions have become firmly entrenched in this city’s burgeoning dining options over the past few years. Yet for all our favorite kosher enterprises, there are many more still relatively under the radar. That’s all about to change thanks to Laurel Kratochvila of Fine Bagels and food culture journalist, Liv Fleischhacker, who are behind Nosh (meaning “food” in Yiddish) — the city’s inaugural festival of Jewish food. Kicking off this Sunday (19.3) with a special edition Breakfast Market at Markthalle Neun, the week’s drool-worthy line-up includes cooking classes, food demonstrations, talks, book presentations and film screenings. On Friday (24.3), choose from one of four Shabbat supper club directions from across the diaspora: Roman Jewish, Persian, modern Eastern European or Yemenite. Peruse the full program and prepare for your mouth to water. (Text: Anna Dorothea Ker / Photos: Simone Hawlish / Rebecca Crawford)

Nosh Berlin: A Wonderful Week of Jewish Food
19-26.3, various locations. Full program, Facebook event.