Berlin Eats: Rogacki
I paid a visit to the restaurant Rogacki, based on recommendations from both David Lebovitz (link here), and the NY Times (link here) as a really "German" place to eat. I can recommend it - the food was good, and the atmosphere was fun. I really like these "old school" restaurants which have a unique service concept and where the staff dress in uniforms. In this case, they wore green and white striped shirts with green bow ties. Notice the same green color scheme on the exterior of their building, along with a fish sign.
There are a few zones of Rogacki. In the front there's a bakery and places to buy cold cuts and other takeaway items. In the main part of the restaurant there are a few stations where you sit a counter and order from the people behind the counter. I ate in an area that was cafeteria-style. You point at what you want and pay by weight. Then you stand at these tables to eat, and put your tray underneath when you're finished. Someone does come around to pick up the trays!
I had a HUGE portion of sole, simply fried with a lemon slice. I also chose a vinegary potato salad with bacon, which looked very German (and yellow). Further down along the cafeteria line, I picked a bowl of vinegary slaw out of a refrigerated case. The whole meal was less than €10. Very satisfying, and I was super stuffed when I was finished (and I even continued to eat a piece of bienenstich).
