If you can attest to the quote “Give me a good sharp knife and a good sharp cheese and I’m a happy man.“ (George R.R. Martin), then Maitre Philippe is an excellent place for you to visit. I used to pass by this little French store practically everyday when I was a Charlottenburg-based boy, interning at a skate shop called “California Boarding” on Emser Strasse (unfortunately the store doesn’t exist anymore, but loads of skaters will remember it as an institution). However it took me almost ten years to step inside to enjoy the fine French foods offered there: cheese, wine and oil. The shop staff will happily create your personal cheese menu according to your taste; I don’t consider myself to be an expert, but a curious eater who appreciate the advice. You should ask a few questions about their products, like the origin and manufacturing process – the stories are remarkable and will make you hungry – just like watching a cooking show but less “cheesy” and full of expert knowledge.
Maître Philippe, Emser Str. 44, 10719 Berlin-Charlottenburg; map
Tue-Fri 10-19h, Sat 10-14h
Tim Seifert is a native Berliner and co-founder of online interview magazine Freunde von Freunden
Published in Cee Cee #65 on 12.7.2012
