FAIRTRADE DINING
A dining phenomena I’ve only found in Berlin, the fair trade ethos has transcended into the restaurant business. Many of these restaurants operate very successfully in Berlin thanks to the liberal and generous nature of Berliners. Upon entry you pay between €1-2 for your glass that you can then refill over the course of the evening with a selection of wines made available at the bar. Once you have finished your meal, you pay whatever you feel the experience was worth. Some establishments operate a buffet, some offer a set menu and others provide a selection. The quality and service can vary greatly, but we’ve found two that come highly recommended.

UN-NAMED #1
5 GriebenowStrasse
10435 BERLIN
ph. 406 90951
This delightful eatery offers a set 3 course set menu of fresh organic produce and a wide range of red and white wines. The décor is modern/retro doused in warm reds and ambient lighting, yet a trip to the bathrooms will take you to a colourful kitsch wonderland. If you’re lucky you might be treated to the comical and energetic barbershop quintet who randomly dines here. The glass will cost you €1 to get you started with the food being served quickly thereafter. The service is fast and friendly, making for a great overall dining experience. Reservations are advised for weekend visits and large groups. If you go on a weekday around 8pm you should have no problems getting a table.
Situated on a back street of Zionskirchplatz, the restaurant is conveniently positioned between Rosenthaler Platz, Senefelderplatz and EberswalderStrasse U-Bahne stations. From Rosenthaler Platz walk north up Weinbergsweg past the park. The road then becomes Kastanienallee. At Schwedter Strasse turn left, then left again at Griebenow Strasse. The unnamed and unsigned restaurant is there on the corner of Greibenow Strassse and WollinerStrasse. If you are coming from EberswalderStrasse, travel south down Kastanienallee on the M1 tram and get off at Zionskirshplatz. Walk back towards Schwedter Strasse and carry on as above.

Restaurant Frarosa

RESTAURANT FRAROSA
40 ZionskirchStrasse
Prenzlauer Berg
10119 BERLIN
Ph. 657 06756
Reservations are highly recommended for this restaurant, as the tables fill up quickly on any night of the week. Although the maitre de lacks friendly charm, the quality of the dishes soon smooth over any bad feelings. At Frarosa you have a choice of any two entrees, aperitifs and mains, to be followed by a desert if you wish. The course sizes are small but reasonable enough to be satisfying without over indulgence, the chef obviously choosing quality over quantity to impress the clientele. Your initial outlay for the glass here is €2 and again you have a wide range of reds, whites and rosés to compliment the gourmet fusions that change daily.