Eyewitness Friedrichshain. Writer Layne Mosler

Layne Mosler is the face behind Taxi Gourmet. The Californian writer (her first book is to be released in July) lived in Buenos Aires for a few years but now calls Berlin home from where she travels to cities around the world, hops in taxis, and asks the drivers to take her to their very favourite place to eat. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Conde Nast Traveler. 

Layne is so full of life, exceptionally interesting to talk to (she was a cab driver in NYC), and so very passionate and knowledgeable about food (simply say cheese or pasta to her, to see her gushing about her foodie experiences with a dreamy expression). Today she tells us about her daily life in
Berlin in the former East Berlin borough of Friedrichshain.

THE TOURISTIN: Three words that characterize Friedrichshain?

Layne Mosler: Young, formerly wild.

THE TOURISTIN: How do you get around Friedrichshain?

Layne Mosler: Walking or biking.

THE TOURISTIN: What is the best kept secret about Friedrichshain?

Layne Mosler: According to Brennende-Autos.de, it was the neighbourhood where the most cars were set on fire in Berlin in 2010. 

THE TOURISTIN: What is your favourite part of Friedrichshain and why?

Layne Mosler: Anything goes. You can walk around wearing whatever you like, eating whatever you like, talking about whatever you like -- nothing is too far out.

THE TOURISTIN: The best place for a hot chocolate or coffee in Friedrichshain?

Layne Mosler: Cafe Tasso on Frankfurter Allee, near Frankfurter Tor, where you can also find books in many languages for 1 Euro.

THE TOURISTIN: What is one restaurant we must try out while in Friedrichshain?

Layne Mosler: Sala Thai, in the Frankfurter Allee Plaza on Frankfurter Allee, serves some of the best red curry in the city. And they also make excellent duck with Thai basil and chili peppers. Go at lunchtime and order off the specials menu to get the best deal (I learned that from a taxi driver).

THE TOURISTIN: Where would we meet you on weekends?

Layne Mosler: At Hops & Barley, a pub on Wuehlichstrasse where they brew their own beer, make their own bread, and show Tatort every Sunday.

THE TOURISTIN: Do you have a favourite museum/gallery we all have to visit when in Friedrichshain?

Layne Mosler: Does the Boxhagener Platz flea market on Sundays count as a museum? If so, it's my favourite in the neighbourhood.

THE TOURISTIN: What are some of your favourite places to shop for A) groceries and B) clothes?

Layne Mosler: I like to buy herbs and spices at Asia Supermarket across the street from the Ring Center on Frankfurter Allee - they have an incredible selection and it's very cheap. At Chili & Paprika on Voigtstrasse, I can always find the chipotles and hot sauces I'm looking for. For clothes, I like Broke + Schön on Krossener Strasse - they have a lot of interesting but classy pieces for reasonable prices (I bought my wedding dress there.)

THE TOURISTIN: Thank you so much. Good luck with your book Driving Hungry. I hardly can’t wait to read it.

The publishing date of the book is 14^th July 2015.  

Meet more eyewitnesses from South Africa, USA and Europe here.

From Berlin with love