Rooftop dining in the heart of Berlin

September marked a new and fragrant beginning for the Swissôtel Berlin. Exotic herbs such as tropical sage, African lemon savoury, Ecuadorian lilac chilli, Peruvian hot pepper, Persian mint and thyme-leaved savoury are among some of the 35 exquisite herbs and spices reaching towards the sky on Restaurant 44's roof terrace herb garden at the Swissôtel Berlin.

These herbs and spices are cultivated exclusively for the creations of Executive Chef Danijel Kresovic, who is moulding a reputation of being a "herb aficionado" with this unique herb garden. Since January 2008 Danijel Kresovic, a young and creative chef with a passion for cooking, has been Head Chef at Swissôtel Berlin's Restaurant 44. He is the inspiration behind this 25m², perfumed paradise, a project which was realised with the assistance of gardener Antje Zinke and herb guru Dr. Ali Moshiri.

"I have always had a fascination for fresh herbs", the Croatian chef explains. "It is just impossible to get fresher and more aromatic herbs than the ones from your own garden." At Restaurant 44 guests can sit amongst these fragrant and colourful plants and then savour them in Kresovic's dishes. "These unique plants are extremely demanding", Antje winks knowingly. "However, these multicultural herbs including African lemon savoury and Persian mint grow side by side in perfect harmony high above the rooftops of the Kurfürstendamm!"

Diners at Restaurant 44 are no longer bound to a set menu and may create their own, or make a selection from the à la carte menu if they prefer. The restaurant also offers a special tasting menu, with smaller portions of individual courses allowing guests to put together their own four, five or six course meal. The carefully selected wine list complements these many dining options and boasts the greatest selection of half-sized bottles of wine in the city.

Restaurant 44 is located at Swissôtel Berlin, Augsburger Strasse 44, 10789 Berlin. Log on to restaurant44.de for more information.

Swissôtel Berlin (swissotel.com/berlin) is located on the Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s world-famous boulevard. A plethora of cafes, shops, theatres, cinemas and tourist attractions such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church are all within walking distance of the hotel. The hotel welcomes guests with personal service and a modern ambiance thanks to contemporary architecture by Gerkan, Marg & Partners, stylish interior design and modern art. 291 elegant rooms and 25 junior suites, many with views over the well-known boulevard, promise an unforgettable stay in the heart of Berlin.