Burritos, chimichangas and enchiladas

Since the last time I visited Berlin, a bunch of new Mexican restaurants have popped up around city (as mentioned in the NY Times). I went to one of these, Maria Peligro, at Skalitzer Strasse 81, which is just around the corner from berlin19. It's run by a woman from Dallas, Texas and her boyfriend from Mexico City. I found the food and the atmosphere to be very good---better Mexican food than I have had in San Francisco actually. They have some taco dishes but no burritos, chimichangas and enchiladas that are ubiquitous in California Mexican restaurants. I had a hard time choosing between the chicken mole and a sort of rice paella with fish. I chose the latter and it was delicious. Even the guacamole and the tomale I had for an appetizer were really good. Thanks, Robin

pop-up restaurant in Berlin

British set designer Tony Hornecker prepares dinner at his restaurant "The Pale Blue Door" in Berlin, September 12, 2010. A British set designer has taken his love for art, added some food, and opened a temporary pop-up restaurant -- made with scrap materials scavenged from the streets -- in one of Berlin's central community gardens. Tony Hornecker, the mastermind behind the thriving shanty town-style restaurant "The Pale Blue Door", said that he does not make any profits with his fanciful underground restaurant, but feels that he is giving Berlin a unique attraction.

For some reason I could find the exact location. Has anybody been there?

Raval restaurant in Berlin: Daniel Brühl's Spanish gastronomy challenge

The German actor, Daniel Brühl known above all for his Spanish origins (and if he’s not, it’ll come to you as a surprise), was born Daniel César Martín Brühl González Domingo 32 years ago in Barcelona. These roots have been well and truly demonstrated in his role in films set in Barcelona such as Salvador (Puig), as well as that in the film set on the Barcelona Port, Cargo.

The connection with his birth city and native country will be even stronger with the opening of a Spanish tapas restaurant in Berlin this winter called ´Raval`, which is a clear reference to the popular Barcelona district and where he is often spotted walking around when he comes to visit this exciting city.

This future Spanish restaurant will be located on Lübbener Strasse 1, a well known and bohemian area in Kreuzberg, and it will most definitely be worth a visit not only from the many tourists that flood the district, but also from the Latin and German residents that love Spanish wine, cheese, and the varied Spanish gastronomy. Daniel Brühl intends to cover a basic need which is for him offering authentic Spanish food in the Berlin capital. Its not that there aren’t any Spanish restaurants in the city, it’s just that according to the German actor there is a general lack of quality and authenticity, therefore his aim is non other than to provide what the other Spanish restaurants lack. All the food products will be directly imported from Spain to thus offer authentic Spanish food, so if you’re passing through Berlin, pass by the Spanish restaurant ´Raval` if you would like to try authentic Spanish cooking in the heart of the Berlin capital.

According to google maps his restaurant is 10 minutes walking distance from berlin19. We for sure will check it out next summer.