By the way, that was meant to be light-hearted. Please don't take it too seriously. I thought that I'd better clarify in case the Fodor's police all gang up on me.

Unfortunately, Chinese food has become somewhat unfashionable during the last couple years.

Shiro i Shiro is a fine example of Asian cuisine with some international flavor, though.
Needless to say that they also have Krug
http://www.shiroishiro.com/

If you want to watch people IN the kaffeehaus and not those passing by , you can try the Einstein Unter den Linden, or the café in the opera, also Unter den Linden.

And a liverwurst sarnie? I suspect that a sarnie is a sandwich, but even after having lived in Berlin for 10 years I never had one or seen one. You can ask at most butchers that they make a sandwich from the different types of sausages they have, though.

I was actually looking for Chinese takeaway, guv. The kind of place where I could take stuff back to my hotel and eat in bed.

Yes, a sarnie is a sandwich. You aren't from Stepney, obviously.

Please, darling, my father went to Princeton and Dubya went to Yale and they both make a room of battery chickens look like a think tank.

Hi, Mimi.

Thingorjus

Guten Tag, Thingorjus-

1. How do I make reservations at the restaurant in the Reichstag Building? Is there a website? Should I wait until I get to Berlin and call from my hotel--the Melia on Friedrichstrasse?

I strongly recommend a reservation by email ASAP:

[email protected]

The food is quite good there - certainly not gourmet food, but modern, decent, light cuisine on a medium price level. The place is most charming in the evening.

2. Can I walk from the Friedrichstrasse to the Saturday Flea/Antique Market in the Tiergarten? I can walk 4 miles with no difficulty.

Yes, you can walk. You can also take public transport. You should made yourself familiar with the public transport system (which is, BTW, excellent):

http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/Bvg/Start
http://www.vbbonline.de/start.php?id_language=2

Your hotel is very close to S-Bahnhof Friedrichstraße. This station is a major hub for U-Bahn and S-Bahn.

When you are in your hotel, you will find a complimentary map of Berlin and of the public transport system. It is very easy to find your way. And the hotel concierge will help.

3. What is the best way for me to get from the Friedrichstrasse to KeDeWa Dept. Store? Is there a bus or U-bahn?

Yes, there are connections. Again, look into the map or use the website to find a connection.

4. What is the best way to get from the airport to my hotel? Should I taxi or take public transport?

Which airport?
From Tegel, I would take a taxi (around 25 Euros). (You can take a bus, but with baggage, it is not too recommendable).
From Schönefeld, take the train to Friedrichstraße. From there, you can walk.

"Please, darling, my father went to Princeton and Dubya went to Yale and they both make a room of battery chickens look like a think tank."

Just so you know, I'm going to be stealing this line at a minimum of three parties Thanksgiving!

MM, keeping close track of your upcoming plans and can't wait to read your trip report...

I'm taking Mom to Germany in May or June and while I'd like to splurge on 5 star properties, if that's not possible, your choice--the Melia--sounds like a good bet. Give us lots of details when you return!

Also, she'll be flying from Philly (or maybe Newark), so I want to hear how your flight goes as well.

In the meantime, you might want to watch Euromaxx and PopXport on dayvaytayfow they have lots of cool segments about things in Berlin.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,2142,7555,00.html

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,2142,4756,00.html

I am flying from JFK. I have a cottage in the Poconos, so I will take a bus from Stroudsburg to Port Authority then take a train from Penn Station to Jamaica Station and the Airtrain to JFK.

Believe it or not, I am taking one small bag with me. It will be jeans and sweats for me, sweetie darling. I am flying WAY under the radar for this trip.

This trip is all about relaxing, walking, sitting in cafes, and looking at Christmas displays and markets. No partying with the jet set. No Muffy antics.

My trip report with be very sober, sweetie darling. But, I will be keeping my eyes wide open for Berliner fashion and clothing shops.

Thanks,
Thingorjus

I hope you also pack a warm jacket or coat because Berlin can be really <b>cold</b>!

But in case you do not, there is still Galeries Lafayette and Quartier 206 Department Store on Friedrichstra&szlig;e, just a 10 minute stroll southbound from your hotel. ;-)

Thin in sweats and jeans??
Now I KNOW I've seen everything on Fodors!

Of course I wear sweats--I am a jock. I guess some of you don't realise that I ran track at Dartmouth. I also bike, do yoga, tae-bo, and lift weights. Last night, I was on the Stair Climber at my gym for 35 minutes followed by 25 minutes with the yoga ball. How do you think I stay thin and gorjus????????

Ja, I will wear a warm coat in Berlin.

Thingorjus

The closest thing to a decent chinese take out near Melia is the Thai/chinese restaurant inside the Friedrichstrasse train/S bahn station which is just across the street from the hotel. The station also has a sushi take out place. The most popular take out in Berlin is doenner which is the turkish version of a gyros pita sandwich. They are everywhere.

Just diagonally across the river Spree from Melia is the waterfront Schifferbaum which has a number of indoor/outdoor cafes/restaurants packed with the local youngish crowd in the weekend evenings(at the Albrechtstr intersection). Not sure how packed they are in the winter time. You can see these cafes from your hotel room, ask for a riverview room when you check into Melia, preferably close to the curving corner part of the hotel building. Upgrading to the LEVEL lounge level or at least getting the lounge access is really worth the extra cost. The staff/service at the &quot;LEVEL&quot; club level is very good in contrast to the overwhelmed regular hotel staff

If you walk north of the river and turn right on Oranienburgerstrasse, you'll find several cafes and restaurants for the youngish crowd/tourists. It's one of the lively streets in Prenzlauerberg. The street will take you to Hackescherhoefe which is a series of renovated art deco commercial store buildings with a couple of cafes inside the courts. Rosenthalerstrasse has a simple but lively spanish cafe, doenner kiosk and Starbucks. There are plenty of inexpensive food in Berlin.

The TXL bus stop is at the Unter den Linden intersection corner with Friedrichstrasse. It's a couple of medium size blocks south of Melia, probably about 1000 steps. If you buy the Welcome 3-7 day pass (valid for S&amp;Ubahn/bus) at the airport just before you exit to the bus stops, you can take a bus to the Berlin central station called LEHRTER Station which is a brand new multistory station and common shopping mall open 7 days a week. Get off the bus there and take the S bahn to Friedrichstrasse Station near Melia. It'll give you a more interesting pre-orientation than walking from the Unter den Linden TXL bus stop to Melia.

I checked the map, the Unter den Linden stop is actually 5 blocks south of Melia.

If you walk east along the Spree river along Weidendamm for 5 blocks taking you to the Bode &amp; Pergamom museum. In the warmer season there is a nice flea market right there along Zeughaus street. You certainly picked a great hotel for its easy walking access to the museum island &amp; Prenzlauerberg as well as the immediate access to Friedrich station across the street.

Thank you for all your help.

Thinny

Hi Thin, I imagine you will soon be leaving for Berlin. I wanted to wish you a beautiful and restful trip. May it bring you everything you are anticipating and needing.

Why am I NOT surprised Thingie lives in the Poconos. I assume you're down below The Mountain?

Just reread my entries and found a typo (among many): It should have been Schiffbauerdamm instead of Schifferbaum.

I'm piping in here as well. Cannot offer any advice as to Berlin, having not been there yet. Anyhow...


Happy Christmas Thin. Rest, heal, laugh...

Catch a big one! I would think fishing on Christmas Eve will be memorable!

Thanks for the concern, Loveitaly and Suzie. I will certainly try to enjoy myself.


I don't live in the Poconos.
And don't ever call me Thingie or you will suffer my wrath, you ass.


Thingorjus

Good Morning, my friend,
post me a card with the wildest stamp you can fiend.

as ever, Carine ((H))

Hi, Btilke,

if you're going to Berlin in June do get a/c. we were there in july 2 years ago and it was very hot.

you might like to have a look at the boat trips that you can do, either round trips or up to the Charlottenburg castle.

thingorjus - if you've not gone yet, have a great time.

regards, ann