In the past there used to be a lot of illegal parties, music, alcohol and drugs today it is about secret pop up restaurants, green smoothies and vegan burgers. From Cookies to Crackers, let legendary club owner turned iconic restaurateur Heinz Gindullis, aka Cookie, take you on a whirlwind culinary tour of Berlin.
First dish of the day?
On weekends I like 3 Minutes sur Mer, on Torstrasse. The interior design is a mixture of GDR lamps taken out of those grand buildings from the seventies, like the Palace of the Republic, and more modern elements.
Then on to lunch!
The Italian restaurant Bocca di Bacco is a place I love to go often.
Dine at mine?
My favourite place for dinner? Cookies Cream and Crackers of course! I am vegetarian, and at Crackers my favourite dish is Portobellomushroom in tempura with sweet potatoes and tandoori. At Cookies Cream every dish is amazing. If I have to make a choice it would be the parmesan dumplings with truffles.
Move your feet to the Berlin beat!
Every evening I start with a Margarita Soda at Crackers Bar. Electro music rocks Berlin. Afterwards I go dancing at Berghain or Watergate. I like that the atmosphere always depends on the DJ, so every evening is different.
A final slice of paradise?
You always find something inspiring at Markthalle Neun.
An extra serving?
Watch The Magic Flute at Komische Opera. Shop at Lala Berlin. Enjoy art at EIGEN+ART Lab.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
The name Bernardo Buontalenti might not mean much to those outside of Florence, but it should. A prestigious Florentine architect and artist favoured by the Medici, he is also widely credited with inventing gelato. This frozen delight is now as synonymous with Italy as pizza and is deeply intertwined with Florence’s heritage. Take a tour of the city’s most celebrated gelaterias, curated by the expert concierge team at Hotel Savoy.
As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
