Sunday, January 19, 2014

Once in a while, I like going to fancy places where the napkins are cloth and there's actually someone who will take your coat and hang it up in a guest closet. When I actually enter the place however, I look down at my tattered boots and wonder if I really belong there.

Osmanya restaurant is a Turkish restaurant located in Moabit, Berlin that fulfills the best of both worlds. It's got the decor of a princess dining room but prices suited for a pauper (okay, a middle class Berliner).




My friend Anne Louise and I went, later joined by the two girls from Frankfurt I mentioned in this post and Oli!


Anne Louise and I!


The menu.

The prices for entrees range from 9-20 euros or you can make a meal from appetizers for about 5 euros each.


Anne Louise and I ordered the same dish (I believe this cost 10.50!)


Oli got lamb, which was a few euros more.

The food was very fresh and tasty and the portions are definitely enough to make you full. Even the appetizers were a pretty good size. They also have interesting drinks I never heard of (who knew Turkish lemonade tastes like Flintstones vitamins?)




Group shot!

Overall, I would recommend going to this restaurant. The service was very accommodating and our server answered any questions we had (although we went on a quiet weekday so not sure what it would be like when it's busy). It also seems they have an outdoor patio for when it's warm enough to sit outside.

Osmanya Restaurant
Birkenstraße 17, 10559 Berlin

Osmanya Restaurant

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Let's face it: muffins rock. They are transportable and you can customize them any way you want to. They also just look adorable. I mean, how can you resist a batch of these scrumptious lovelies?


Luckily, they are super duper easy to make. They are also super duper easy to make healthy. Take these oatmeal banana muffins: 5 ingredients (6 if you add the nuts) and they take no time at all.



Gluten Free Oatmeal Banana Muffins
Makes 4-6 small to medium muffins

1 cup oat flour (you can grind oats in a coffee grinder or food processor)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 medium banana
2 tablespoons honey (here I am using chestnut honey I got in France, which adds a savory note)
1/4 cup non-dairy milk
1/4 -1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
pinch of salt



Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and place the dry ingredients into a bowl.


  In a separate basin, mash the banana and add the honey. Microwave this for 20 seconds (this will liquify it, making it easier to merge).


Add the banana mixture to your dry ingredients and pour in the milk and walnuts.

When everything is well combined, pour into your muffin liners. Below are pictures of how I made my liners with aluminum foil.



Cut out squares or rectangles out of foil and double them up. Take a cup that resembles the size of the liner you want. Tip it upside down and wrap the foil around it to form a cup. Finished!

Scoop out the batter to fill the liners about 3/4 of the way up. Bake these for 15 minutes, turn the oven off, and let it sit inside for another 5 minutes. Now you have a batch of freshly baked muffins!


Gluten Free Oatmeal Banana Muffins

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Recently 2 of my flat-mate's friends from Frankfurt came to visit Berlin! We stopped by an Irish pub called Killkenny (uhhh, South Park anyone?) right inside the Hackescher Markt train station. Now most people don't know that I love Irish pubs. I think I would much rather go to an Irish pub than a fancy bar. It's no frills, the bartenders are relaxed, and it's a great place to go with a group. Not to mention I have fond memories getting tipsy over pints of beer in good company. Anyway, here are some shots of that night!

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The sisters who came to visit. They were both super sweet!

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Oli and I!

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Cheese!

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Okay, so I got a cocktail. Apparently it's the house specialty cocktail. Why is maracuja juice amazing?

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And finally the decor.

There was also a live performance happening in the other room. I got really excited when she started to sing Nora Jones! Upon leaving, we also chatted with a friendly Finnish guy outside. Overall, a very comfortable evening.

Irish Pub in Berlin: Killkenny