Berlin

Below: Berlin’s river Inset: The Right: Central business disctrict Bottom right: The infamous that divided East A city reborn and West from 1961 With Berlin’s tumultuous history well behind it but never forgotten, Germany’s capital offers a thriving hub, brimming with symbols of reunification and progressive cultural hotspots Adlon Berlin kempinski.com The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin erlin will forever be known ritzcarlton.com for the wall which once Hotel am Steinplatz Bstood as Europe’s partition. hotelsteinplatz.com But today, it is home to one of the most unified societies, with DRINKS & DINNER a truly multicultural population With copper-coloured interior and and an undeniable energy. Times large windows, Rutz Restaurant are changing in Europe and, with & Weinbar, in the central district its myriad attractions, Berlin puts of , provides a warm its hand up as a major drawcard atmosphere to sample two- for innovative business. Michelin-starred food. Created by chef Marco Müller and his STAY team, the main restaurant menu – With rooms good enough for a multi-course ‘Inspiration’ tasting Michael Jackson and Her menu – offers well-prepared, Majesty the Queen, Hotel Adlon fresh, tasty meat and fish; simple Kempinski Berlin overlooks the and leisure travellers, with with an intimate experience food done well. famous in the a sumptuous French-themed and five-star service. Its Now helmed by chef Eberhard central Mitte district. with equally brasserie, an elegant bar and an discreet, yet central location, Lange, Hugos has a firm place with international influence to Meat devotees should head to door fridges, allowing you to pick Rutz Restaurant & Weinbar glamorous facilities (a two-floor expansive wellness centre, and has suited luminaries such on the map among Berlin’s create innovative fusion dishes. Grill Royal, where Penelope Cruz, the piece which takes your fancy, rutz-restaurant.de spa and several restaurants) and the usual Ritz-Carlton swagger. as Vladimir Nabokov and gourmet restaurants too. At With a wine list to please even Damien Hirst and Marilyn Manson while the open kitchen means Hugos flawless service to match. The historic Hotel am Brigitte Bardot, who have Hugos, in the InterContinental the most demanding sippers, and have tucked in. With Ikora lamps there are no kitchen secrets. hugos-restaurant.de The Ritz-Carlton on Potsdamer Steinplatz boasts a magnificent both enjoyed the excellent bar Hotel, chef Lange brings German breathtaking views of the city from from the sixties, smoked mirror In the summer, the river-facing Grill Royal Platz is perfect for both business Art Nouveau structure, along and rooftop spa. and regional produce together the 14th floor, Hugos has been partitions and a speedboat, this window opens so diners can enjoy grillroyal.com recognised by the Michelin Guide is an experiential show. The meat a cool breeze drifting in from the with an excellent one-star rating. and fish hang in massive glass- River Spree. SEE Berlin is a fantastic city to tackle on foot, with so much history and emotion to take in. Walk around the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag Building, with its famous glass dome built by Sir Norman Foster. Visit the Berlin Wall, Holocaust Memorial and . Also worth experiencing is The , built for the 1936 Olympic Games, the baroque Charlottenburg Palace and , the perfect stop to sip great German beer and watch this bustling hub go about its business. visitberlin.de ■

January-March 2020 Upward Curve 31