Berlin Reified

The Ivy Update

This is what the wall looks like now. This is also the view from my desk, and my answer when people ask how I could bear to move into such an ugly building.

Little Otik, Living Architecture & Feeds

On this gray afternoon I keep thinking of the rainbow-hued pickled beans at a friend's housewarming party last Saturday that Little Otik catered. Flavors to make your eyes widen are what this weather needs; an evening in Graefestraße may be in order.

Speaking of escaping, don't you wish someone would bring the Living Architecture idea to Berlin and Brandenburg?

Also, I'm finally creeping into the 21st century and now you can subscribe to Berlin Reified by email or feed (see link to the left). Still no internet at home though...

Little Otik, Graefestraße 71, Berlin-Kreuzberg (map)
Tel. 49 30 5036 2301
Open W-Sat from 6pm

On our way to Hamburger Bahnhof

It's been this sort of day for a few days now.

I love how the walk to the Hamburger Bahnhof keeps it real.

Afterwards, we went to the Sarah Wiener restaurant. How did they manage to find such pale, pale tomatoes to put in a club sandwich? The set-up is very child-friendly though, if you've got small people to feed on a wet day. I might try the fresh apple strudel next time. Have you had it?

Letters & Lines

I've said it before and I'll say it again: you really must check out the Buchstabenmuseum in its new home, tucked at the top of the escalators in a dingy shopping center off Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. Wonderful. I've translated their new brochure into English and I'd love an extra pair of eyes to check there are no apostrophes missing. If you've got fifteen minutes to help this (just a few paragraphs really) do let me know (email link in the left column).

Also: Run by friends, Berlin's annual poetry festival Poetry Hearings has always been dear to my heart. There's a special preview tonight at the Direktorenhaus; John Hartley Williams, Catherine Hales, MC Jabber and Alistair Noon will read. Will Hudson's cakes be served? We can hope!

Buchstabenmuseum, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13, Berlin-Mitte (map)
Open Thursday-Saturday 1pm-3pm

Direktorenhaus, Am Krögel. 2 Berlin-Mitte (map)

Berlin through a Lomo lens

Photo from Elena Von Blume's blog

Berlin's Lomography shop is organizing an undiscovered Berlin photography tour this Saturday, and I thought you might like to know. 15 EUR includes the loan of a camera, a roll of film and a two-hour boat ride. If you're lucky, your pictures might even make it into the Lomography Berlin City Guide.

Unbekanntes Berlin – Lomography on Tour, 25 September 2010 3pm

Lomography Gallery Store Berlin, Friedrichstraße 133, Berlin-Mitte (map)
Open M-Sat 10am-8pm
T: 49 (0)30 202 151 62

Federweißer again

These circles, these rituals! Every year I talk about Federweißer; every year, it's a consolation for the crisp cool September air. The instant I saw a bottle I knew I had to buy it and have friends over. This sweet foaming almost-wine is the perfect fleeting pleasure to share. (And those who find it too low-brow are welcome to the red wine in the cupboard.)

It used to be hard to buy but it seems most wine shops manage to find some these days. Novices take note: because the liquid is still fermenting the tops are capped but not corked, so be sure you keep your bottle upright when you take it home!

Ivy on the walls