It might be the next step in Mitte’s inevitable transformation into Little Scandinavia, but at least new café East & Eden isn’t run by the usual too-cool-for-school Nordic twentysomethings – at age 47 and 52 respectively, Danish owners Ulla Skaaning Mathiesen and Orla Damgaard left behind established careers as architects and interior decorators in Copenhagen to fulfill a lifelong dream of working abroad.
On arriving, they immediately set up partnerships with the locals: Bonanza coffee roasters, recent tea startup TeaTales and a certain tarte baker whose name they won’t reveal (only that he’s based out of Moabit). He’s the one behind the delicious quiche (€6.90 with a side salad), served in generous rounds with a moist interior and crisp crust. The meat version comes with Serrano ham, sun-dried tomatoes, leek and parmesan, but we preferred the less orthodox, sweet-salty vegetarian one with Asian-spiced feta cheese, spinach and dates.
If you’re craving a real Danish experience, end your lunch by picking up some fancy liquorice from high-end manufacturer Johan Bülow (€7-12/150-170g) and – truly a rarity for a Berlin café – swiping your EC or credit card.
East & Eden, Torstr. 141, Mitte, U-Bhf Rosenthaler Platz, Mon-Fri 8-18
