Berlin Reified

Café Richter

Inevitably there'll be an aged diva with sunglasses and a ballerina's poise, frowning down her long nose at the newspaper, when you go to Cafe Richter. It's not just the people-watching that's fabulous in this old-school Charlottenburg coffeehouse/bakery. Lately memories of their elegant, nutty Linzer cookies have begun to consume me. Christmastime seems the right season to revisit it; it's the perfect antidote to Too Much Mitte.

Cafe Richter (Coffeehouse & Bakery), Giesebrechtstraße 22, Berlin-Charlottenburg (map)
Open daily 7am-7pm
Tel. 030 324 3722

2011

 

It took a little hunting but I've finally found my calendar for 2011. Carta Pura's diary has just the space I need and no more. (And no squashed-in weekends! Don't your Sundays need the most room, even if it's just to record the details of a forest walk?) RSVP's owner tells me it's the one she has herself. Buy it there for 10 EUR.

RSVP, Mulackstr. 14 (map)
Open M-Sat noon - 7pm
Tel. (030) 280 94644

Berlin Christmas Markets: First Advent (27-28 November)

I can't pretend I'll manage them all, but here are the Christmas markets I've starred for this weekend. Which are you looking forward to?

Domäne Dahlem, Königin-Luise-Straße 49, Berlin-Dahlem (map) Open 11am-7pm

For everyone: If I were to recommend a single Christmas market, this would be it. I still remember when David made me go here after lacklustre visits to Gendarmenmarkt and Mexicoplatz. I dragged my feet, convinced Christmas markets were wildly overrated. And then I stepped through the gate.

The advent of advent

And goodness, there's the Christmas markets already. I started out organized last year (see posts here and here) but faltered at third advent. Who wouldn't, undone by the press of planning gifts and meals? This year I'm hoping to do one better by making an overview in advance. Check back tomorrow!

Sunday again

Such a misty morning, and now the wall is quite bare. Did you know today is Stir-Up Sunday? My peel is candying as I type! The recipe is from a 1970s Sainsbury's recipe book: a full report after I've tasted the results at Christmas.

Elsewhere: In between

So much more to say about Washington. More once I'm over my jetlag.

Elsewhere: The Train Ride Home (New York to Washington)