The Cantina is in the back of Tausend, which is under the bridge by the Friedrichstraße station. The place has no signs or windows on the outside and a metal door. After being subjected to a once-over by the doorman, you're allowed in. Coat check is immediately on the right, bar is straight ahead. The bar area is really long and narrow and horribly smoky. Other than that, the drinks are good, the people are generally good-looking, and the atmosphere is modern/trendy. It was pretty full on a Saturday night.
However, this is a dinner review. The eating area is dark and intimate, and the open kitchen area is in a corner with bar seating. There is a decent cocktail menu (I really liked the earl grey gimlet and some prince drink that the waiter said was new). I had the miso cod, which was quite good, but it looked rather bare on the plate with no accompaniments. Same with friend's steak. Other friend highly enjoyed the mushrooms with the risotto. Ended the meal with some crème brulee, which was good (can you really mess this up?), but I found the portion to be a bit large.
Once you finish rolling your eyes at the exclusivity this place tries to maintain, the food and the atmosphere are both quite good. I just still can't stand the pervasive smell of smoke. read more