A Hidden Beauty Gem Called Brunette

A Hidden Beauty Gem Called Brunette

“Would you like a make-over?” This is usually not the kind of question you want to hear from anybody (especially family or friends who should always love you the way you like). But when this question comes in an eMail send by Brunette – a hair salon some of my friends were already telling me so much about – Frank and I didn’t think twice about giving it a try.

A couple of months ago we decided to arrange a “hair date” to test this newly redesigned hair salon inside a former barn. Actually, for me it was more like a social experiment to see if a hair dresser would dare to tell my dear Frank to cut his rocker hair off. But unfortunately the gay couple who runs this place, Lars and Andre, have more an open heart for the well-being and the comfort of their customers rather than my entertaining hidden agenda. So be it! The hair date went fine, and while I really got quite a strong make-over, Frank just got what he wished for: a little trim of the end of his long blonde hair.

The salon is situated in a hidden courtyard at Tempelhofer Ufer, not too far away from the gallery district of Potsdamer Straße. The whole area around Potsdamer Straße has become the new it-place. So Brunette might be on your way if you want to spend your night at some vernissage or other social event in that area.

Still we recommend to make an appointment when you have some free time to spare to enjoy their treatments and care to the fullest. The address and some images after the jump.

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Time Travel Berlin: Historic Views of Schöneberg

Time Travel Berlin: Historic Views of Schöneberg

Photo: View of Nollendorfplatz in Berlin, circa 1900

There are some neighbourhoods in Berlin that don’t really have any of the extremely characteristic features that make up for the unique charm of say, the posh Mitte or the bohemian Kreuzberg. Of course we don’t get discouraged by the initial impression and already proved to you that Schöneberg indeed is worth exploring. It’s majestic architecture that fortunately preserved some of its beauty till today was even more impressive one hundred years ago. And we’ve got pictures!

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A Sweet Tooth Guide to Berlin

A Sweet Tooth Guide to Berlin

photo: Brammibal’s Donuts

I’ve always had a sweet tooth. Ever since I was a little kid hanging in my parents’ grocery shop, I’d covertly fill up my pockets with candy. Not much changed. I mean, luckily I started financing the addiction on my own and the only thing I may occasionally steal is the show, but, despite strong human competition, my love affair with confectionery is still at the top of my most toxic relationships list. Basically, when I first saw the phrase “death by chocolate”, I felt like that’s what my gravestone is going to read. If you’re like me, or want to really impress a boy or girl with a tendency for sweet self-indulgence (there are many of us around here!), take them to one of those places:

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A Festive Restaurant Guide for Berlin

A Festive Restaurant Guide for Berlin

The holidays are coming up and those of you who will spend them here in Berlin might wonder: What restaurants should I go to for Christmas, New Year’s Eve or other festive holidays? Because obviously your typical burger joint or sushi place does not really fit the atmosphere here. And of course: Since these are all official holidays which places are even open, or offer a special menu for those special days? We compiled a list of our favorite restaurants – newbies and classics – that will serve you delicious food in the perfect holiday spirit. (Make sure to make your reservations early though as they might be booked out soon and keep in mind that some places will have set menus and special prices during the holidays.)

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Trattoria a’ Muntagnola – Italian Food Porn in the Heart of Schöneberg

Trattoria a’ Muntagnola – Italian Food Porn in the Heart of Schöneberg

There are certain streets in Berlin-Schöneberg that are mostly known for representing gay culture from the 70s to the 90s.  Still, the Motzstraßen-Kiez attracts gay tourism and leather lovers from all over the world, especially to certain events like Folsom.

But what took me by surprise last week, was that exactly there, in the middle of the heart of gay Schöneberg, there was a culinary pearl that would teach me new secrets and wonders of the Italian cuisine. Located on Fuggerstraße 27, Trattoria a’ Muntagnola run by Pino and his wise mother Angela is a true Italian classic in Berlin.

Even though the interior is truly inspired by Italian exaggeration the food you will taste there can easily beat that of many star restaurants. Thanks to the True Italian food festival that is currently happening in Berlin for 72h we had the chance to try out some gems of their incredible menu.

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Greek Lifestyle in Berlin

Greek Lifestyle in Berlin

Sarah P, photo: Fotini Chora

As mundane as it may sound, Berlin is the very definition of a melting pot. It has always reminded me of an immense theater stage, where all countries take their position and as soon as the lights start to dim, they begin interacting with each other; they fight, they love, they live, but most of all they constantly try to make their stories get heard as loud as possible. There is one thing they have always in common: they are fully in sync with their multicultural environment and in the case of Greece miles away from the picture drawn by Nia Vardalos’ Big Fat – filled with stereotypes, yet utterly entertaining – Greek Wedding.

Several Greek places around the world – cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, concerts etc. – have always made me feel like Alice in Wonderland, but to a more twisted and disturbing extent than Lewis Carroll’s bizarre universe. It is mostly the image of people being lost in their Greek microcosm, fully ignorant of the overwhelming benefits life abroad has to offer, that brings discontent to me. And it is then, when you realize that for some coming from the same place has developed into the one and only criterion of socializing with people.

However, this story is about those who have become citizens of the world and their Greek identity represents a part of it and not vice versa. Here a few examples of Greek businesses and artists active in Berlin who choose to work and live through the aforementioned identity.

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A Guide to Priceless Restaurant Experiences in Berlin

A Guide to Priceless Restaurant Experiences in Berlin

photo: Shan Rahimkhan

Our restaurant guides are among the most popular features here on the blog and we love to come up with new themes and topics to curate the gastronomic gems of the city for your enjoyment. Among all our culinary guides, the most successful turned out to be the one with the most unusual restaurants – this seems to have been a particularly fun one, both for our readers and for us.

To give you something new in a similar spirit we have teamed up with MasterCard who have a really exciting program going on that is a perfect match for us. I’m sure you’re heard of the term “Priceless” in connection with MasterCard, which they use to cherish all those unique moments in our life that you just can’t put a price tag on. In continuation of this idea they initiated MasterCard® Priceless® Cities – a program that grants MasterCard® cardholders access to exclusive and “priceless” experiences in selected metropolises in the world – including Berlin, of course – and let’s them discover their cities in exciting new ways.

For our new guide we have chosen some of the most extraordinary restaurants that are part of the Priceless® Berlin program and that offer you an experience that goes way beyond a great meal in a nice ambience. Enjoy our selection of 8 priceless restaurant experiences in Berlin.

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The World’s First Street Art Museum in Berlin

The World’s First Street Art Museum in Berlin

The Street Art Museum, photo:  Urban Nation.

‘Urban Art to me, means to hold a conversation in public’

Yasha Young is visibly thrilled. The director of Urban Nation, a network for street art and Urban Contemporary Art is celebrating the upcoming opening the world’s first Street Art Museum on September 16, 2017.
“Urban Art is a contemporary witness, who shows himself to everyone”, Young says with her voice shaking lightly. And with this year, this witness is about to be seen by even more people, right in the midst of Schöneberg.

Get more information about this unique project and see first drafts and a trailer for the museum after the jump. read more…

The Most Iconic Fountains of Berlin

The Most Iconic Fountains of Berlin

photokaffeeeinsteinCC

What is the essence of a city? What is Berlin made of? As we already established, it is mostly made of the people inhabiting it. Berlin is a concrete jungle, with many beautiful buildings. Old architecture and new people mix well. They flow through the city like water in the canals. Water is life, water pulsates, water is the substance we are made of. And there is a lot of this substance in a metropolis like Berlin. Next to the Spree and the seas of the capital, there are other springs of water: Fountains. All over the capital you will find those sometimes grandiose, sometimes simple water oases.

But they are always architectural masterpieces, relics of other times, loaded with history and symbolic meanings. But they are also places to rest and dwell. On fountains, people who don’t know each other come together, people who have a date, people who are alone.

See ten of our favorite water places in Berlin and get some inspiration to plan your next walk in the city. Right after the jump.

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Exploring Berlin: A Guide To Schöneberg

Exploring Berlin: A Guide To Schöneberg

photo: Urban Nation / Nika Kramer

Schöneberg, oh Schöneberg. You are underestimated. Although you have so much to offer! The late and beloved David Bowie wasn’t the only one to notice your charm, but also numerous artists such as Iggy Pop and Klaus Kinski lived in your hemisphere. There’s something about you, something mature and unagitated but still exciting. Something that feels like home yet still comes up with surprises of the unknown.

Founded as a tiny village and first documented in 1264 (that’s… a long time ago), Schöneberg was merged in 2001 with the adjacent district Tempelhof and is now called: Tempelhof-Schöneberg. We will focus on the Schöneberg-part of the district today, presenting you the best options to eat & drink, see some art, spend some leisure time in the most beautiful spots and learn something about the history of the ‘beautiful mountain’ aka Schöneberg.

FYI: Even though the district is located at a quite elevated spot, the name ‘Schöneberg’ that includes the ‘mountain-theme’ is rather a wishful-thinking-name than a geographically correct one. But who cares, right? Let’s start with our guide to Schöneberg!

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