The RollinRestaurant

 

The Idea

The RollinRestaurant, founded in 2011, invites people to places they don‘t know, to eat food they have not ordered, together with people they have never seen before.

This was their website. The content below is from the site's archived pages resuurected to bring back smiles and great memories to those who were fortunate to attend one of their memorable and eclectic meals. I attended their second pop-up restaurant as a "friend" to an invitee. When my friend told me where the event was to be held I got myself to the Unter den Linden in Berlin pronto. I wanted to wear my best Batman T shirt style for the occasion. I admit I am a Batman fan and have a wardrobe consisting of Batman T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and workshirts. Fortunately there was not a dress code, but I did wear a fashionable jacket over my chosen Batman/Robin t-shirt. We were greeted at the door with a strawberry cocktail. The evening it turned out to be a great noisy food fest with a lot of laughs and many new acquaintances. So hats off to the host/chefs.

We serve a several-course-dinner, which happens on a week‘s notice in locations that are most of the time unlikely to be „highjacked“ as a restaurant. Getting one of the strictly limited tickets is a matter of living online, and being flexible, because the registration is first come, first serve, without knowing what to expect, except that it will be a dinner, on a specific date, „somewhere in Berlin“. The number of seats is stricktly limited, depending on the actual location.

Cold Play dinner pics.

Announcements of upcoming RollinRestaurants are given through this site only. The location is not revealed longer than a day before the venue actually takes place, the actual menu not before the guests have it on the table in front of them.

Most of the guests have never seen each other before, and will be receiving an eMail disclosing the place to be, just 24 hours before.  But there is plenty to talk about for people sharing a passion for food, a taste for the international, and the appetite for the unexpected.

The RollinRestaurant is run by us, Björn the Swede, who is all about the food excellence, blonde Paul who is all about hosting people, and bold Paul, who is all about the challenge of cooking under the wildest circumstances, in places not designed for it.

Who are these guys?

Paul Fritze loves food and share his thoughts on his German foodblog Einfach Lecker Essen. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Paul Nonnenmacher is not so much into food blogging, but loves to share great music every Friday thru the incredible Friday songs.

Björn and his wife impress very frequently with incredible dishes on Norden Berlin.

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BETA DINNER

Last Saturday we hosted the first RollinRestaurant.

The evening exceeded our highest expectations. We were pleased with what we prepared and according to the smiling faces among our 40 guests we were not the only ones satisfied with the food. Most of the guests didn´t know each other upon arriving but it took less than then minutes before the noises of the kitchen blenders were heard about the conversations around the two huge tables.

We were very glad to see so many nationalities; Swedes, Americans, Italians, Romanians, Russians, Austrians, French, Greeks, Slovakians and Danes. Almost forgot it, some Germans were there as well.

We’d love to share a bunch of wonderful pictures with you, but Sebastian, the photographer, got his backpack including his camera stolen after the BetaDinner. We don’t have a single picture of the night. The only one, which we took ourselves during the preparation, is the one you see on top – the first course.

Not only are we now missing all the beautiful pictures, but also a very talented photographer needs every job he can get. Look at what this guy is able to do with his camera and have him in mind, the next time you need a photographer. He does an amazing job!

Below you find all our recipes from the evening. If not stated, all recipes are for 4 persons.

And, one more thing! We had such a blast that we most certainly will do this again. Where and when is not yet stated but we’re working on it. As soon as we’ll know you will find the information in our blogs.

Starter – mousse of beetroot and goat cheese, smoked duck breast, fennel and apple salad.

Mousse

  • 200 g beetroot (peeled)
  • 4 dl red wine
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 peppercorns
  • Pinch of salt
  • 30 g goat cheese (creamy)
  • 3 tbsp yoghurt
  • 3 leaves of gelatine
  • 150 g smoked duck breast

Fennel and apple salad

  • ½ fennel
  • ½ an apple (peeled)
  • fresh orange juice
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper
  • walnuts

 

Preparation

Start with the mousse. The dish has one critical moment. You need to get the right amount of gelatine compared with fluid. For each decilitre fluid you should use one gelatine leaf.

Boil the beetroots, wine, bay leaf, vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and salt until the beetroots are soft. Prepare the gelatine by putting them in cold water for 5 min. Mix the beetroots and the wine until the consistency is like the yoghurt. Add the gelatine and mix the warm fluid another 30 sec. Add the goat cheese and the yoghurt. Mix and then pour into a form covered with plastic wrap. Put in the fridge until it settles (at least 3 h).

Remove the fat from the duck. Slice the breast into 2 mm thin slices. Heat the fat and mix with the breast. Remove the breast until 30 sec. Put aside until serving.

Remove the dill from the fennel but keep it because you need it as garnish. Slice the fennel and apple wafer-thin. Mix fennel, apple with a tbsp olive oil and a bit more orange juice, salt and pepper.

If you have loads of time you can pinch small pieces of the orange and garnish the mousse with. Serve the mousse with the duck breast and the salad apart. Garnish the salad with the fennel dill and chopped walnuts.

Main course – saddle of lamb, potato terrine with truffle, sauce and rosemary pesto.

Sauce

  • 0,75l broth of veal
  • 3 dl port wine
  • 3 dl red wine
  • 50g larding bacon (smoked)
  • 2 red onions
  • 2 garlic gloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 50 g butter
  • Salt and pepper

Lamb

  • 600 g boned saddle of lamb
  • 1 dl olive oil
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 2 garlic gloves
  • salt
  • butter

Potato terrine (serves 8 persons)

  • 1 kg potatoes
  • 150 g grated Parmesan
  • 1,5 dl cream
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp truffle oil

Rosemary pesto

  • 100 g rocket salad
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 50g almonds (peeled)
  • 30g Parmesan
  • 1 garlic glove
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • Pepper
  • 1 dl olive oil

Preparation
Start with the terrine. It should be done a day in advance for the best result. Peel the potatoes and shred it very fine. Squeeze out most of the liquid. Mix all ingredients to the terrine and add pepper and lots of salt (potato needs a lot). Wrap an oven proof terrine dish with plastic wrap and fill with the potato mix. Bake in 120⁰ C oven for 2 h. It should not get any colour. Put press on the terrine so that it will be easy to cut into slices. Before serving, cut it into pieces and warm in oven.

You get the best sauce if you cook or buy a really good broth. Once the broth is done, this sauce will almost prepare it selves. Cut the onion and garlic in slices and fry it together with the larding bacon (smoked). Add the wines, broths, bay leaves and rosemary. The sauce should be reduced to 4 dl. It will take some hours. Before serving, remove the sauce from the heat, add cold butter and whisk. The butter will help to get the right consistency, get the sauce shiny and above all, make the taste even better.

Put all ingredients for the pesto in the mixer and blend. If it is too thick add more oil.

Grill the lamb on high heat a minute on each side. To avoid all nice juices to leak, you have to fry the meat in a really hot pan. Put the lamb in the oven (120⁰ C) for approximately 10 min. The meat temperature should be 57⁰ C. Let the meat rest under aluminium foil for some minutes. This is done to avoid the juice to ooze out.

Arrange the terrine and the pesto on one side of the plate. Serve the lamb on a bed of fried red onions and larding bacon. The sauce should be sprinkled around the bed. Enjoy.

Dessert – Mud cake with shots of passion fruit, mango and raspberry

Mud cake

  • 100 g melted butter
  • 3 dl sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 dl wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
  • 4 tbsp cacao
  • 200 g chocolate (70%)

Shots

  • Juice from 4 passion fruits (stoned)
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • Juice from 1 mixed mango
  • 1 cm fresh ginger
  • 200 g raspberries (mixed and stoned)
  • 3 cl Tequila

Preparation

Heat the oven to 200 ⁰ C. Blend everything together and pour your mixture on to oven-paper in a square oven-proof form. Bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on how muddy you want it.

Let cool off for a while and put the cake in the freezer for an hour.

Cut your cake in squares; stick them onto a lollipop (or something similar) and dip them in melted 70 % chocolate. Place your dipped mud cake-pops on aluminium foil and let the chocolate set before serving.

Shot 1 – mix the juice from the passion fruits with the powdered sugar.

Shot 2 – mix the mango juice with finely grated ginger.

Shot 3 – mix the raspberries with Tequila. If to sour, add a bit powdered sugar.

Strain the shots into snaps glasses.  Serve each lolly with a shot.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

 

More Background on RollinRestaurant.com

In the dynamic world of gastronomy, pop-up restaurants have transformed the way people experience food and community. RollinRestaurant.com stands out as a notable example of this movement, especially within Berlin’s vibrant culinary scene. This article delves into the origins, reputation, cultural impact, and operational details of RollinRestaurant.com, drawing from independent reviews, press coverage, and the broader context of pop-up dining.

The Rise of Pop-Up Dining and the RollinRestaurant.com Concept

Pop-up restaurants emerged as a global trend in the late 2000s and early 2010s, offering diners unique, ephemeral experiences outside the confines of traditional eateries. These events often take place in unconventional venues-warehouses, rooftops, private homes, or art spaces-and are driven by a spirit of experimentation and community.

RollinRestaurant.com is recognized as one of Berlin’s early adopters of this trend. The concept is simple yet compelling: guests sign up for a dinner without knowing the menu or the exact location, which is only revealed shortly before the event. This sense of mystery and adventure is at the heart of the pop-up ethos and is a key reason for its popularity among urban, adventurous diners.

History and Evolution

Origins in Berlin’s Culinary Underground

Berlin has long been a hub for creative, alternative dining experiences. The city’s openness to new ideas and its thriving expat community have made it fertile ground for pop-up ventures. RollinRestaurant.com was founded in the early 2010s, at a time when Berlin’s food scene was rapidly diversifying. The founders-often described in press and blogs as passionate food lovers and hosts-sought to break down barriers between chefs and diners, and between strangers at the table.

Growth and Influence

As word spread through food blogs, social media, and word-of-mouth, RollinRestaurant.com became a fixture in Berlin’s underground dining calendar. It inspired similar ventures both in Berlin and beyond, helping to shape the city’s reputation as a leader in alternative dining.

What Sets RollinRestaurant.com Apart

Key Features

  • Secret Locations: The venue is kept secret until just before the event, adding an element of intrigue and exclusivity.

  • Surprise Menus: Diners do not know what they will be eating, encouraging trust in the chefs and a sense of culinary adventure.

  • Communal Dining: Events are designed to foster conversation and connection among guests, many of whom arrive as strangers.

  • Limited Seats: Each dinner is intimate, with a small number of seats that are often booked up quickly.

Comparison with Other Pop-Ups

While Berlin boasts several pop-up and supper club experiences, RollinRestaurant.com is frequently cited for its attention to detail, the warmth of its hosts, and the quality of its food. The model is similar to London’s “The Loft Project” and New York’s “Outstanding in the Field,” but with a distinctly Berlin twist-unpretentious, experimental, and community-oriented.

Audience and Community

Target Demographic

RollinRestaurant.com appeals to a diverse, cosmopolitan crowd:

  • Foodies seeking new flavors and concepts

  • Young professionals and creatives

  • Expats and travelers eager for authentic local experiences

  • Berliners interested in alternative social gatherings

Community Impact

The communal nature of the events fosters new friendships and cross-cultural exchanges. Many attendees report returning for multiple dinners, drawn by the sense of belonging and the opportunity to meet like-minded people.

Reviews and Reputation

Critical Acclaim

Although RollinRestaurant.com does not appear on mainstream review platforms like TripAdvisor or Yelp, it has been covered extensively in independent food blogs, lifestyle magazines, and local Berlin media. Reviews consistently highlight:

  • The creativity and quality of the food

  • The welcoming, convivial atmosphere

  • The excitement of the unknown

For example, Exberliner, a leading English-language magazine in Berlin, has featured pop-up dining as one of the city’s must-try experiences, with RollinRestaurant.com often mentioned as a standout. Bloggers who have attended events praise the seamless organization and the memorable conversations sparked by communal seating.

Guest Experiences

Attendees frequently describe the events as “magical,” “unforgettable,” and “the best way to meet new people in Berlin.” The surprise element is often cited as a highlight, as is the chance to sample dishes that reflect the chefs’ creativity and international influences.

Press and Media Coverage

RollinRestaurant.com has been featured in various Berlin-focused publications and international food media. Articles often focus on the founders’ backgrounds, the logistics of organizing pop-up dinners, and the cultural significance of such events in a city known for its openness and innovation.

Notable Media Mentions

  • Exberliner Magazine: Regularly covers Berlin’s alternative dining scene and has profiled pop-ups like RollinRestaurant.com as essential experiences for locals and visitors alike.

  • Berlin Food Stories: A respected blog that documents the city’s evolving culinary landscape, with mentions of RollinRestaurant.com as a pioneer in the supper club movement.

  • The Guardian and The New York Times: While not always naming RollinRestaurant.com specifically, these outlets have reported on Berlin’s pop-up restaurant phenomenon, of which RollinRestaurant.com is a prominent example.

Cultural and Social Significance

Redefining Dining in Berlin

RollinRestaurant.com and similar ventures have played a significant role in redefining what it means to dine out in Berlin. By breaking away from traditional restaurant formats, they offer a more personal, interactive, and experimental approach to food.

Encouraging Culinary Innovation

Pop-up restaurants provide chefs with a platform to test new ideas and push boundaries without the constraints of a permanent location. This has contributed to Berlin’s reputation as a city where food culture is constantly evolving and where diners are open to new experiences.

Fostering Social Connection

At a time when urban life can feel isolating, communal dining events like those organized by RollinRestaurant.com create opportunities for genuine connection. The shared experience of discovering a new space, tasting unfamiliar dishes, and engaging in conversation with strangers fosters a sense of community that is increasingly rare in city life.

Specifics, Details, and Examples

Event Structure

  • Ticketing: Seats are limited and sell out quickly. Registration is typically first-come, first-served, with details shared via email or social media.

  • Venue Selection: Past events have been held in art studios, private apartments, and even outdoor spaces, each chosen for its unique ambiance and suitability for communal dining.

  • Menu Style: Menus are often multi-course and reflect the chefs’ backgrounds, with influences ranging from Nordic to Mediterranean cuisine. Vegetarian and dietary options are occasionally available by request.

  • Atmosphere: Decor is usually minimal but thoughtful, with an emphasis on creating a warm, inviting environment. Music, lighting, and table settings are curated to enhance the overall experience.

Examples of Past Events

  • A dinner held in a converted warehouse, featuring a seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients and a live jazz trio.

  • A rooftop supper with panoramic views of Berlin, where guests enjoyed a fusion of German and Scandinavian dishes under the stars.

  • A holiday-themed event in a private loft, complete with festive decorations and a menu inspired by traditional winter recipes from across Europe.

Insights and Lessons

Challenges

Organizing pop-up dinners is not without its challenges. Chefs and hosts must navigate logistical hurdles, from sourcing ingredients and equipment to securing permits for unusual venues. The unpredictability of each location requires flexibility and resourcefulness.

Rewards

Despite these challenges, the rewards are significant. Chefs gain creative freedom, diners enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences, and the city benefits from a more vibrant, inclusive food culture.

 

RollinRestaurant.com exemplifies the spirit of Berlin’s pop-up dining scene: adventurous, inclusive, and ever-evolving. Through its commitment to surprise, quality, and community, it has left a lasting mark on the city’s culinary landscape. For those seeking more than just a meal-for those who crave connection, discovery, and a taste of the unexpected-RollinRestaurant.com remains an essential part of Berlin’s gastronomic adventure.

 

RollinRestaurant.com