Someone I know has just moved into an apartment near Berlin's well-known Bergmannkiez - an area full of little cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops of every description.

Going to visit this person is a monumental effort of willpower for me.

Not because I don't want to see her, quite the opposite.

But when I am assaulted by the delicious smells of Tibetan, Italian, Thai, Turkish and Indian food from all angles (and this only on the one-minute walk from the u-bahn station), my desire to eat goes out of control, regardless of how full I already am.

So, in an effort to restrain me, we have decided to systematically eat in every single restaurant and cafe on the block, in order. We started last Monday in the Tibetan place directly downstairs (thank goodness the glorious aromas don't waft up to the living room - if they did I would surely have jumped out the window in a frenzied fit of gluttony by now).

It's probably going to take the whole summer to get through them all, but we are determined, we are focussed, and most importantly, we are gluttons. Or, at least, I am - and that will be enough to see us through.

Of course, if anyone wants to help us, you are more than welcome to pop by for a feast. Just be warned - it won't be pretty.