Gendarmentmark Berlin, Germany

When we visted Berlin in April 2016 we spent some time at the famous Gendarmenmarkt, a square not too far from the Brandenburg Gate.

It is a romantic place with the Franzoesische Dom and Deutscher Dom to each side. In the middle is the concert hall.

Sometimes there are buskers playing classical music.

The square dates back to the 17th century and was remodelled in 1773 by Georg Christian Unger.

The Franzoesische Friedrichstadtkirche is still active and integrated within the French Dome. The visit is well worth it and if you want take photographs of the interior it's 0.50 Euro / ca. 0.60 USD. Otherwise it's free.

It's only a small church and simple in decor.

There are some Free Mason elements visible as well. Check if you can find them, when you are next time there.

A nice touch, and something I haven't seen anywhere else so far, were copies in German of sermons from the previous weeks. It was interesting for me to read them from an outsider perspective, since I'm not Protestant, and from a philosophical angle.

When in Berlin we will return to the Gendarmenmarkt and the church again.

©2016

Grand Hyatt Berlin, Germany

Having enough points left to stay at the Grand Hyatt Berlin, we decided to use them, booked a Grand King Room and added a night in Berlin in April 2016.

When we arrived at the hotel there was no one else at check in, so there was no waiting involved at all.

The gentleman was friendly and efficient, as expected from a Hyatt property.

We weren’t upgraded, but had nice views over the city, the entrance, the modern Opera and beyond which we enjoyed.

Our beautiful room was located on the 4th floor and directly opposite the elevator to the Club Olympus Spa.

It was medium sized and held in muted tones in black, brown and beige and wood was used a lot to accent the modern beauty of the room.

There was no writing desk, but a large glass table, comfortable chairs, a Bang & Olufsen TV with international and regional channels, a mini bar and safe.

The mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities were cleverly hidden. The mini bar was fully stocked with the usual beverages and Granini Juices. Some more unusual items were the different Austrian chocolate bars.

The lamps and night stands were design driven and the switches well integrated.

Of course there were also magazines, (Monopole, Berliner for art and culture, H.O.M.E. and 128 is the magazine of the Berlin Philharmonic), a map of Berlin, a shopping and cultural guide and to our surprise books. They included “Like a rolling stone”, “Royal Palaces”, a German business dictionary and a novel in German called “Kains Toechter”.

The large bathroom was accessible via the hallway or bed room by sliding doors. It had a Japanese set up including separate bath tub and shower, a sink and Pharmacopia amenities from California. He liked them. I was less fond of them due to the smell.

There was also a toilet room.

Artwork was about Berlin.

There were automatic blinds and Japanese curtains in the bed room.

Most of the items within the room could be bought, which we found interesting.

We received two apples as a welcome gift.

There was 24 hours in room dining available.

We used room service once for our breakfast, since our flight to Dublin left in the early morning and the restaurant hadn’t open yet.

We chose the Hyatt Breakfast, which included hot chocolate, cold cuts, cheese, different types of bread, pastries, Staud’s Jam, an omelet with tomato and cheese and Andechser Natur Bio Yogurt with raspberries. In addition we ordered a gugglhupf. Usually there would have been an extra charge, but for some reason it wasn’t on the bill, which we found fortunate.

The presentation was beautiful, like an afternoon tea, and the quality was very high.

We enjoyed spending time on our room. It felt cocooning, luxurious and comfortable.

The entire hotel was designed by Tony Chi. The most interesting part was probably the inverted diamond shape in the atrium of the hotel.

We saw some art pieces we had already encountered at the Park Hyatt Zurich and know that the same very large farmer’s tables are on the rooms of the Intercontinental Geneva, which had been also the responsibility of Tony Chi.

We had a look at the meeting room facilities and liked the colorful artwork and that every room was named after a famous architect.

Of course the Grand Hyatt had dining outlets as well. Chef Benjamin Haselbeck is responsible for Vox Restaurant, which serves regional cuisine with an international influence and sushi. The Tizian Lounge offers international and local dishes, while Mesa Restaurant serves innovative German cuisine to share, where we had dinner once. Review to follow.

Other places to while away time were the Vox Terrace and Bar. The bar has one of the largest whisky collections in Berlin and maybe even Germany with over 300 on offer.

Check out was done in a quick, efficient and friendly manner.

We enjoyed our stay very much. It was too short, of course, and next time when staying there again, we would prefer at least two nights.

©2016

Franzoesische Friedrichstadtkirche Berlin, Germany

The Franzoesische Friedrichstadtkirche is still active and integrated within the French Dome. The visit is well worth it and if you want take photographs of the interior it's 0.50 Euro / ca. 0.60 USD. Otherwise it's free, when we visited in April 2016.

Since wanted to take photos we paid the obligatory 0.50 Euro cents, it's well worth it and goes towards the upkeep of this splendid church located on the Gendarmenmarkt.

It's a small, but beautiful church and simple in decor with memorable large windows and an airy interior.

There are some Free Mason elements visible as well. Check if you can find them, when you are next time there.

A nice touch, and something I haven't seen anywhere else so far, were copies in German of sermons from the previous weeks. It was interesting for me to read them from an outsider perspective, since I'm not Protestant, and from a philosophical angle.

When in Berlin we will return to the Gendarmenmarkt and the church again.

 

©2016

 

VAU Berlin, Germany

During my fiancé’s birthday travel in April 2016 we decided to have lunch at VAU. It has one Michelin star and is just off the Gendarmenmarkt, where the Franzoesiche Dom and Deutscher Dom are located, on Jaegerstrasse in the heart of Berlin, Germany.

It is in a quiet area and VAU has as a direct neighbor the Greek Embassy. The classic building has a vibrant color and a Mediterranean feel.

The interior was designed by Meinhard von Gerkan. He was also responsible for Le Canard Nouveau in Hamburg, where we had lunch only a few days earlier. Please see our review.

There are some things both restaurants have in common: The chairs and the use of wood. Otherwise Le Canard Nouveau is understated and Japanese/Asian, while VAU is inspired by the sunnier climates of Southern Europe.

VAU is divided into two spaces. One at the back, which contains the most of the tables, and another, bright space where ca. 10 people can sit. The window is very large, and reminds us more of a show window of a shop which lets in lots of natural daylight.

Another reason was the personality of the chef Kolja Kleeberg. He is very creative - not only in the kitchen. He is a musician and actor as well.

The first thing, when entering, we encountered was the bar, which looked stylish and right out of the 1930s.

We were warmly welcomed and brought to our table near the window.

There was an elderly couple already enjoying their lunch. Later a group and a single business man arrived. The atmosphere was good and the staff made us immediately feel welcome and at home.

The table was covered with a white linen cloth and had a flower in a vase as decoration.

We were offered Seltzer water, which was included in the price of the lunch, and asked if we would like to have an aperitif. We checked if they had alcohol-free cocktails. The bartender came to us and asked if we wanted a classic or modern one. We decided for the latter. It was made with Matcha green tea, lime, grape juice and soda and was served in a Martini glass. We both loved it. The combination was just right, not too sweet and not too dry.

Next bread and salted butter were brought to our table which we enjoyed, a good start.

We chose from the lunch menu and decided on three courses. Our starters were roasted cod, onion tarte fine, rocket salad and anchovies and asparagus ceviche, elderberry, pomelo and watercress.

It was followed by crisp pike perch, spinach, brown butter, almonds and pink grapefruit and pink fried duck breast with wild broccoli and radicchio trevisano.

Desserts were Piedmont hazelnut cake with cream praline and sea buck thorn and Tarte Tartine with rum raisins and walnut.

My fiancé wanted to try the other non-alcoholic drink with orange juice and Sun-bitters. It came in a long ball glass and was decorated with skewered orange pieces. The "classic" was equally memorable as was the "modern" non-alcoholic cocktail we enjoyed earlier.

With the choice of our coffee, Cappuccino, which was also included in the meal, we received Canele, the same pastry as we had at the FG Restaurant in Rotterdam, The Netherlands earlier during our travels. Please see also our review for more.

The menu was well prepared, the flavors balanced and fitting to the ambience of the restaurant.

The invoice came in at 115 Euro / ca. 130 USD.

The service was attentive, warm and very well aware of our allergies and dislikes.

The lunch was delicious, of high standards and beautifully presented, beside this we enjoyed the location and service, plus the overall setting of the Restaurant VAU.

When in Berlin, we would eat here lunch or dinner again in our future.

©2016