Amorino (Berlin, Germany)

Oranienburger Str. 1-3, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Amorino is an international chain of upscale “ice cream boutiques” that also sells coffee, crepes, macaroons, and waffles. Although it only started in 2002, Amorino already has some one hundred locations around the globe, mostly in Europe, but also in North America, Africa, and Asia. It has two locations in Berlin. The one I visit, close to the Kudamm, has two people working there who are excruciatingly  sloooow.

I get a Classic (€4.60) with four flavors: green lemon with basil, hazelnut, banana, and melon. First off, the ice cream is beautifully sculpted in the shape of a flower. Bravo! Second, the flavors are good but miss that little bit of extra. I like the Green Lemon with basil the best; it is fresh and zingy. The banana and melon are a bit bland.

 

VERDICT: 84/100

Good ice cream, with exceptional presentation, but a bit expensive for the quality.

Imbiss Mattern (Berlin, Germany)

Hardenbergstraße 26, 10623 Berlin, Germany

Imbiss Mattern is a small snackbar that is practically under the railway station Bahnhof Zoo. It is connected to a larger restaurant and grocery store, which is surrounded by (mainly Polish) alcoholics. This is the ultimate dive. They serve the usual for a German Imbiss, i.e. sausages with bread or fries. I get a Currywurst (€1.40). I choose the one with intestine, which is way too chewy. The sauce is too heavy and has no kick.

VERDICT: 67/100

Cheap but poor quality

Corsini (Berlin, Germany)

Kronprinzessinnenweg 250, 14109 Berlin, Germany

Corsini is a touristic “deli” that serves sandwiches, coffee and ice cream at the little square outside of the S-Bahn Station Wannsee, overlooking the huge lake. It serves some 20 different flavors.

I get two scoops scoops (€2.40): mango and pistaccio. Both are mediocre, mainly creamy and sweet. ice cream, not gelato.

VERDICT: 72/100

Not really a tourist trap, but quite mediocre for Berlin.

Turroneria Iváñez (Bilbao, Spain)

Posta Kalea 23, 48005 Bilbao, Spain

Turroneria Iváñez is a beautiful old ice cream and pastry place in the old center of Bilbao, which claims to date back to 1860. It has many different flavors, classic and modern.

I get a medium corn with one scoop of two flavors (€3.10). One is caramel with nuts in it, which is tasty. The lemon is very fresh.

VERDICT: 85/100

Good ice cream in a beautiful traditional setting.

Las Fritas (Bilbao, Spain)

Gurutze Kalea 6, 48005 Bilbao, Spain

Las Fritas is a Spanish chain of small snackbars that specializes in Belgian-style fries. It seems to also have a location in Barcelona. It only sells fries in small, medium, and jumbo. They come with unique toppings like fried egg, bacon, and organic paprika sausage.

 

I get a Small (€2.50) with Mayo (€0.40). The fries are kind of crispy on the outside (bordering at chewy) and soft inside (but a bit undercooked). The mayo is very oily.

 

VERDICT: 80/100

Probably among the better fries I had in Spain, but then again, it’s Spain.

Heladería Nossi-Bé (Bilbao, Spain)

Calle Navarra 1, 48001 Bilbao, Spain

Heladería Nossi-Bé is a large artisan ice cream place that is doing its utmost to keep its ice cream refrigerated at this very hot day. It has an amazing variety of tastes available; I estimated some 60?! It includes many classics, but also 15 different types of chocolate.

I get a Medium with Two Scoops (€3.60): the scoops are big and the ice cream is kind of sticky. It tastes fresh but dense. The grapefruit is fresh, the hazelnut sweet and crunchy (with some nuts in it).

VERDICT: 83/100

Good but notremarkable

Telepizza (Bilbao, Spain)

Zingira Kalea 6, 48007 Bilbao, Spain

 

Telepizza is a national chain in Spain that copies US pizza chains like Domino and serves various types of pizzas as well as burgers, fries, nuggets, etc. It caters particularly to take-away and delivery customers. Although the place is empty this afternoon, it takes easily 15 minutes before I get my food.

I get a Burger with Fries and a Drink (€6.95), which all seem quite standard. The burger is a sad version of Burger King’s Whopper, while the fries come from the oven! Nuff said!

VERDICT 52/100

Bad!