Chipperfield Kantine — Restaurant in Berlin

Some people are so eager to experience the sepulchral minimalism of the David Chipperfield brand that they won’t make a fuss about paying top Euro for some of the most tasteless, crushingly soulless, unappetizing, gray-tasting food you can imagine. That’s not me. This place makes you want to subscribe to the slightly populistic adage that some architectural firms care more about their design than the experiences of people living in them. The entire concept of a short menu that the Kantine follows religiously would be acceptable if the food and produce selection was any good. We went for lunch, and we were offered only one option out of three because “we didn’t book in advance”. What we were allowed to order was, alas, a simplistic salad, composed of plasticky lettuce leaves, unsalted and unseasoned chopped mushrooms, a cold and mushy cauliflower perparation, and a handful of gray and black beans that looked like river gravel. One could rationalize the experience by appreciating the consistency between the Chipperfieldian concrete slabs and the grey mediocrity of the food. In other words, if Chipperfield’s architecture had a signature dish, it would be that salad. That’s the conceptual reason why I’m giving this two stars instead of one. Avoid this place unless you are interested in a surreal Berlin Hyper-Mitte experience, which includes watching people trying to blend in the artificial, culturally disassociative, and classist scenario like disembodied 2D-figures in an architectural rendering. The only consolation is to be found in the schadenfreude of knowing that David Chipperfield himself is said to live inside this urban concrete hellscape. The only salvation, on the other hand, is the work the firm’s doing with urban restorations. Go experience that instead and don’t eat their...

In the cafe I was attacked by a strange person who did not introduce himself. The reason was that I was trying to take pictures of the interior of the café. The strange gentleman demanded that I personally ask each of the customers for permission. I politely explained to the gentleman that his demand was illegal and completely unreasonable. He did not let up, however, and continued to speak in an extremely arrogant manner. After this rude and, to put it mildly, unfriendly reception I had to leave the cafe. I have always been very inspired by the work of the Chipperfield Agency, but if its leaders are so rude and arrogant, I can no longer look at their work with the same admiration. I thought Chipperfield was building for people, but it turns out to amuse their own ego.

Update: I have described the situation again in an email as was requested in the comment below. As expected, nobody replied. Unfortunately, again I have to deal with arrogance and disrespect. Interesting to note that there are a lot of positive comments posting photos with people on them. Apparently these commentators were not attacked neither during their visit nor in comments. This whole situation is such a disgrace to...

The salad I ordered was fine, but given I make my own amazing organic salads at home, it wasn’t anything to write home about; I understand, however the costs of high quality materials, so the actual entrée’s price was ok. However, I find it in bad taste to charge so much for water and bread without clearly letting the guest know. If I knew I would have to pay extra for it, I would have gone without; I always have a bottle of water with me. Same goes for paying for bread. I would like to be informed there is an extra cost because I‘m used to getting a piece of bread on the side of my salad or soup without paying extra. 2$€ for each extra cost was not worth it. I only drank one small glass and two small pieces of bread. Please inform your guests in advance. I find the service could...