Actually, HSV, you did tell me to "get a life" and "refrain from bigoted concerns."
I have a life and I'm not bigoted. And your post of 1/27 at 7:40 pm was not exactly what one would call "relaxed."
Our bad views of Hamburg were based on real-life experiences and moreover, the bad experiences were related directly to some of the bad press we had heard about Hamburg, that is, the Hamburg of *today*(i.e., news reports about drug deals+junkie puking on our shoes, news reports about Hamburg as Islamic extremist hotbed in Europe+[apparent] extremists shouting obscenities in our faces and trying to intimidate us). That's completely different from not visiting Chicago because of Al Capone's activities 80 years ago. Anyway, the article was written by the Asian Times, not us, so perhaps you should take the "logic" issue up with them.
I'm aware that our experience was probably not typical (I would hope not!) but it WAS our experience and remains the foundation of our view of the city. If someone came to Brussels for the day and had a similar experience, I'd certainly understand and respect their lack of warmth for the city.
And that's all I have to say about this...except that I DO have fond memories of time spent with friends in Hamburg, Pennsylvania! ;-)
I have a life and I'm not bigoted. And your post of 1/27 at 7:40 pm was not exactly what one would call "relaxed."
Our bad views of Hamburg were based on real-life experiences and moreover, the bad experiences were related directly to some of the bad press we had heard about Hamburg, that is, the Hamburg of *today*(i.e., news reports about drug deals+junkie puking on our shoes, news reports about Hamburg as Islamic extremist hotbed in Europe+[apparent] extremists shouting obscenities in our faces and trying to intimidate us). That's completely different from not visiting Chicago because of Al Capone's activities 80 years ago. Anyway, the article was written by the Asian Times, not us, so perhaps you should take the "logic" issue up with them.
I'm aware that our experience was probably not typical (I would hope not!) but it WAS our experience and remains the foundation of our view of the city. If someone came to Brussels for the day and had a similar experience, I'd certainly understand and respect their lack of warmth for the city.
And that's all I have to say about this...except that I DO have fond memories of time spent with friends in Hamburg, Pennsylvania! ;-)
Tat,
sorry took me a few days to come up with some restaurant recommendations, but here I go:
For gourmet dining, a real treat but very expensive, try:
- Jacobs Restaurant: at Hotel Louis C. Jacob in the Blankenese neighborhood on Elbchaussee street. The cuisine is currently rated as Hamburg's best. They have a wonderful terrace with trees providing shade and overlooking the river Elbe.
- Süllberg: Also overlooking the Elbe River and also in the Blankenese suburb. Their chef used to work at Hotel Adlon in Berlin hosting a number of heads of states. There is a Bistro, which is very good but not gourmet and Seven Seas, a top notch gourmet section.
- Landhaus Scherrer: They are in Othmarschen district (Elbchaussee) close to the river, but not overlooking it. They have been around for a long time and have always managed to keep their standards high. They do local cuisine to perfection with fresh and light ingredients. Located on Elbchaussee, no view, though.
For upscale but not that expensive places try one (or more) of the following:
- Stocker: In Altona district, close to the Theater fuer Kinder (Theater for children) on Max-Brauer-Allee. Austrian cuisine done to perfection plus some French influenced dishes. Sumptuous desserts. They offer friendly service and pleasant, if sightly kitschy, ambiance. Good selection of Austrian wines (try a Grüner Veltliner white wine). Currently my absolute favorite.
- Fischmarkt: Located near the port in Ditmar-Koel-Str., other than the name would suggest not on the "Fischmarkt" (fish market) Square. They offer seafood only. Absolutely fresh products and their catch of the day is presented on a plate before you make your choice. It is possible to order everything according to your personal preferences. Pleasant, Mediterranean ambiance, no view, though. Another of my favorite places.
- Fischereihafen Restaurant: Located directly on Fishmarket in an industrial, but developping section of town. They have been a local institution for decades. Local celebrities can often be spotted. Very conservative but extremely carefully prepared seafood dishes.
For Sushi, try Henssler & Henssler. Located on Fishmarket close to the Fischereihafen Restaurant. Very cool, modern ambiance and sometimes quite loud. Very good, expertly prepared Sushi, though- if you enjoy it.
Cheaper, but nice:
- Altamira: A Tapas only restaurtant in Ottensen district. Not too appealing from the outside, but nice enough inside. Wide variety of Spanish Tapas and some good wine at very affordable prices.
- Elbe 76: Located in Hoheluft district on Bismarckstr., nowhere near the River Elbe, as the name would suggest. Young and hip crowd in modern ambiance. You should call ahead to reserve a table as they have a pretty popular Bar adjacent to their restaurant. Try their Prosciutto di Parma cum Rucola Pizza (at an outrageous € 11.-), which is as good as Pizza can get.
- Lentini: A small Italian restaurant in the trendy Eppendorf neighborhood on Eppendorfer Weg. Good food, pleasant setting with high bar stools. Gets very crowded in the evenings, so might want to call ahead for a table.
I truly like the place.
Bars for a drink at night:
- Tower Bar at Hotel Hafen Hamburg: Located close to Reeperbahn and its Red Light District, overlooking the port, they offer breathtaking views of the port and the rest of Hamburg's city center at night. Therefore a favorite haunt for tourists. Views are better than the drinks, though, which does not indicate that they are bad.
- Bar Sa Vanh in Restaurant Indochine: Located in Neumuehlen/ Oevelgoenne district in a developping hip neighborhood right on the bank of the river. Just a minute by car from Fischereihafen Restaurant. Extremely hip. They feature splendid views of the Container Ship Terminal and even better cocktails.
- Au Quai: Located almost adjacent to Fischereihafen Restaurant in a modern office building on the bank of the River Elbe. Modern, trendy and classy bar with a great view of the port and one of Hamburg's nicest terraces, right over the water.
- Bereuther: In Eppendorf (close to Lentini restaurant) on Lehmweg. Modern bar, very popular with the young party crowd. Sometimes celebrities can be spotted. Their downstairs restaurant reportedly serves some good food.
- Christiansens: Located on Pinnasberg in St. Pauli, not far from Reeperbahn. A quiet bar with the presumably best drinks in town prepared by an award winning bartender for the past consecutive years.
- Bar Ciu's: On Ballindamm overlooking the Alster lake right in the Center of town. Great selection of cocktails and Hamburg's most extensive Whiskey list.
Have a good time surprising your hosts!
Cheers
hsv
sorry took me a few days to come up with some restaurant recommendations, but here I go:
For gourmet dining, a real treat but very expensive, try:
- Jacobs Restaurant: at Hotel Louis C. Jacob in the Blankenese neighborhood on Elbchaussee street. The cuisine is currently rated as Hamburg's best. They have a wonderful terrace with trees providing shade and overlooking the river Elbe.
- Süllberg: Also overlooking the Elbe River and also in the Blankenese suburb. Their chef used to work at Hotel Adlon in Berlin hosting a number of heads of states. There is a Bistro, which is very good but not gourmet and Seven Seas, a top notch gourmet section.
- Landhaus Scherrer: They are in Othmarschen district (Elbchaussee) close to the river, but not overlooking it. They have been around for a long time and have always managed to keep their standards high. They do local cuisine to perfection with fresh and light ingredients. Located on Elbchaussee, no view, though.
For upscale but not that expensive places try one (or more) of the following:
- Stocker: In Altona district, close to the Theater fuer Kinder (Theater for children) on Max-Brauer-Allee. Austrian cuisine done to perfection plus some French influenced dishes. Sumptuous desserts. They offer friendly service and pleasant, if sightly kitschy, ambiance. Good selection of Austrian wines (try a Grüner Veltliner white wine). Currently my absolute favorite.
- Fischmarkt: Located near the port in Ditmar-Koel-Str., other than the name would suggest not on the "Fischmarkt" (fish market) Square. They offer seafood only. Absolutely fresh products and their catch of the day is presented on a plate before you make your choice. It is possible to order everything according to your personal preferences. Pleasant, Mediterranean ambiance, no view, though. Another of my favorite places.
- Fischereihafen Restaurant: Located directly on Fishmarket in an industrial, but developping section of town. They have been a local institution for decades. Local celebrities can often be spotted. Very conservative but extremely carefully prepared seafood dishes.
For Sushi, try Henssler & Henssler. Located on Fishmarket close to the Fischereihafen Restaurant. Very cool, modern ambiance and sometimes quite loud. Very good, expertly prepared Sushi, though- if you enjoy it.
Cheaper, but nice:
- Altamira: A Tapas only restaurtant in Ottensen district. Not too appealing from the outside, but nice enough inside. Wide variety of Spanish Tapas and some good wine at very affordable prices.
- Elbe 76: Located in Hoheluft district on Bismarckstr., nowhere near the River Elbe, as the name would suggest. Young and hip crowd in modern ambiance. You should call ahead to reserve a table as they have a pretty popular Bar adjacent to their restaurant. Try their Prosciutto di Parma cum Rucola Pizza (at an outrageous € 11.-), which is as good as Pizza can get.
- Lentini: A small Italian restaurant in the trendy Eppendorf neighborhood on Eppendorfer Weg. Good food, pleasant setting with high bar stools. Gets very crowded in the evenings, so might want to call ahead for a table.
I truly like the place.
Bars for a drink at night:
- Tower Bar at Hotel Hafen Hamburg: Located close to Reeperbahn and its Red Light District, overlooking the port, they offer breathtaking views of the port and the rest of Hamburg's city center at night. Therefore a favorite haunt for tourists. Views are better than the drinks, though, which does not indicate that they are bad.
- Bar Sa Vanh in Restaurant Indochine: Located in Neumuehlen/ Oevelgoenne district in a developping hip neighborhood right on the bank of the river. Just a minute by car from Fischereihafen Restaurant. Extremely hip. They feature splendid views of the Container Ship Terminal and even better cocktails.
- Au Quai: Located almost adjacent to Fischereihafen Restaurant in a modern office building on the bank of the River Elbe. Modern, trendy and classy bar with a great view of the port and one of Hamburg's nicest terraces, right over the water.
- Bereuther: In Eppendorf (close to Lentini restaurant) on Lehmweg. Modern bar, very popular with the young party crowd. Sometimes celebrities can be spotted. Their downstairs restaurant reportedly serves some good food.
- Christiansens: Located on Pinnasberg in St. Pauli, not far from Reeperbahn. A quiet bar with the presumably best drinks in town prepared by an award winning bartender for the past consecutive years.
- Bar Ciu's: On Ballindamm overlooking the Alster lake right in the Center of town. Great selection of cocktails and Hamburg's most extensive Whiskey list.
Have a good time surprising your hosts!
Cheers
hsv
HSV,
I guess you forgot the mention Rive for fish and great location, Bok for sushi, Literaturhaus for the nice atmosphere, Marinehof for a casual meal and Kaufrausch for Eppendorf snobs on a sunny saturday morning!!
I agree, anyway, HAMBURG IS A WONDERFUL PLACE for many different reasons!
I guess you forgot the mention Rive for fish and great location, Bok for sushi, Literaturhaus for the nice atmosphere, Marinehof for a casual meal and Kaufrausch for Eppendorf snobs on a sunny saturday morning!!
I agree, anyway, HAMBURG IS A WONDERFUL PLACE for many different reasons!
paoletta,
that's what I call expertise!
Rive down by the Fishmarket in the former England ferry terminal certainly serves good food and sports spectacular views, especially if one manages to make a reservation for their terrace in summers.
Bok certainly is good for sushi- I personally do not have a craving of Marinehof, but that is in contrast to a lot of people I know and who love their spicy potato salad.
I admit to not having been to Kaufrausch in Eppendorf yet, but I had already recommended Literaturhaus cafe to Tat for a leisurely breakfast on a different thread!
There a many more options. One was
- The Locks: Located on the Northern outskirts of Hamburg in Poppenbüttel in Marienhof Street. It is a pretty old building right by the locks of the Alster River. You can rent canoes next door or take a pleasant walk to get rid off the calories you consumed or are going to consume inside. Cuisine is International plus some very good sandwiches with fries. Good wine selection and long drinks available. Usually crammed full in the evenings.
Enjoy
hsv
that's what I call expertise!
Rive down by the Fishmarket in the former England ferry terminal certainly serves good food and sports spectacular views, especially if one manages to make a reservation for their terrace in summers.
Bok certainly is good for sushi- I personally do not have a craving of Marinehof, but that is in contrast to a lot of people I know and who love their spicy potato salad.
I admit to not having been to Kaufrausch in Eppendorf yet, but I had already recommended Literaturhaus cafe to Tat for a leisurely breakfast on a different thread!
There a many more options. One was
- The Locks: Located on the Northern outskirts of Hamburg in Poppenbüttel in Marienhof Street. It is a pretty old building right by the locks of the Alster River. You can rent canoes next door or take a pleasant walk to get rid off the calories you consumed or are going to consume inside. Cuisine is International plus some very good sandwiches with fries. Good wine selection and long drinks available. Usually crammed full in the evenings.
Enjoy
hsv
Shame on you!
Kaurausch is a must to understand that special Hamburg snobbery!
I'm waiting for some better weather to come back...
E-mail me, I'd love to share comments on Hamburg, especially after so long - have lived in the U.S.A. and Rome recently, and now back to Padua, my hometown.
Ciao
Paola
Kaurausch is a must to understand that special Hamburg snobbery!
I'm waiting for some better weather to come back...
E-mail me, I'd love to share comments on Hamburg, especially after so long - have lived in the U.S.A. and Rome recently, and now back to Padua, my hometown.
Ciao
Paola
paoletta,
whereas I would certainly like to try Kaufrausch, I am not so sure whether I need to learn that Hamburg snobbery as you call it. In fact I believe there are a number of people who would already label me an expert on this...;-)
Will get in touch with you!
hsv
whereas I would certainly like to try Kaufrausch, I am not so sure whether I need to learn that Hamburg snobbery as you call it. In fact I believe there are a number of people who would already label me an expert on this...;-)
Will get in touch with you!
hsv
