Getting Cheesy in Berlin
In the last few months, some fellow Gridskipper correspondents have gone on quests for the best mac & cheese in their respective towns. Finding any rendition of this dish, from mom-style traditional to spicy or ethnic and gourmet versions, poses a bit of a challenge here in Germany. You really have to stretch the definition of mac & cheese to include alfredos and German auflauf (a type of au gratin casserole). But the shortage of melted cheese on macaroni isn't too much cause for despair. Let's face facts -- it's really just about the cheese anyway. And being in the heart of Europe, Berlin has easy access to the best of the world's dairy products. Even better, the region has its own dairies, as well as a top selection of those artisans who use milk as a medium, the käsehersteller (cheese makers) or käsereien (cheese dairies). So hold the macaroni! Just grab yourself a lump of heavy German bread and a bottle of wine. Now here are some places where you can find the cheese.
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Ziegenkäserei Karolinenhof from Galeries Lafayette
Friedrichstraße 76
10117 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Here's another place for fans of "unboiled" milk, those who talk of noch lebender milch (milk that's still alive). The Karolinenhof dairy in Brandenburg produces … around 20 different goat's milk cheeses. But you don't have to schlep out to the countryside for them; glitzy Galeries Lafayette "imports" them into the city for you. [link]
Satis
Torstraße 101
10119 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
If you're a cheese fan, walking into this shop with the overwhelming selection of European cheese will remind you of the feeling you had going into a toy store as a … child. If you can pull yourself from that mesmerizing, odoriferous selection, you'll notice that the shop also carries a wide range of wines to match. [link]
Maître Philippe
Emser Straße 42
10719 Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany
Philippe Causse's cheeses are works of art, produced through traditional techniques. His specialty is rohmilchkäse (raw milk cheese, or cheese made from unpasteurized … milk). Some may say it's not safe, possibly even deadly. But sometimes we have to live dangerously. Feel free to ask questions. Philippe's is known for consultations on the art of cheese -- and wine. [link]
La Raclette
Lausitzer Straße 34
10999 Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
Here you'll find just the right atmosphere for lolling off into food coma: a fireplace, the flicker of candlelight on exposed brick, and the subtle clink of fork and … knife on plate. As the name implies, the cheese here is melted Swiss-style, on a little electric raclette grill, and can be mixed up with veggies and those tasty little pickles and onions. [link]
Kaaswinkel
Berliner Straße 36
10715 Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany
Heaven for the dairy freak: This molkerei (dairy) doesn't just offer fresh cheeses made from sheep, goat, and cows milk (and also including rohmilchkäse), but also … milk, yogurt, and butter. In addition to visiting the shop, you can get your cheese fix at several weekly farmers' markets (check the shop's website for locations). [link]
Käse und Feinkost
Sredzkistraße 53
10405 Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
No processed, vacuum-packed, plastic-looking cheese here! This redolent little cheese shop and delicatessen adjoining the popular Prenzlauer Berg cafe Sowohl Als Auch is … the best place in the neighborhood for fresh cheeses. [link]
Frischeparadies Lindenberg
Morsestraße 2
10587 Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany
This purveyor of gourmet goodies doesn't focus only on cheese, but it is among the store's specialties. You can basically order all your high-end foodstuffs here, for … pickup or delivery, including fish, meat, poultry, fruit, veggies, frozen foods, booze and wine, and, of course, cheese. [link]
Dunckerstraße 78
Dunckerstraße 78
10437 Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
[link]
