Kaffee in Berlin series: #12 Röststätte Berlin

Café Name: Röststätte Berlin

Care of pro-macchina.com

Address: Ackerstrasse 173, 10115 Berlin
(Near Rosenthaler Platz) 

Google Maps: Röststätte Berlin

Transport (BVG): 
U8 (Rosenthaler Platz)
Bus 142 (Torstrasse/Tucholskystr or Rosenthaler Platz)
S1, S2, S25 (Oranienburger Strasse)

Website Link: Facebook

Coffee selection: Filterkaffee, Espresso Macchiato, Americano, Cappuccino, Cortado, Flat White, Latte, Iced Black, Iced Latte

Coffee sampled: Cappuccino

Cost: €2,80

Extra Shot:

Taste: Rich, creamy espresso blend. Very satisfying and fresh.
 
Wait-time: Though the cafe part is quite small, one can usually get a table either inside or out on the street, or occasionally can spill into the espresso machine shop area. (There is also a whole shop area dedicated for coffee lover courses). 

Friendliness of Staff: Very polite, multicultural, and efficient. 

Facilities (Toilets): Possibly one of the smallest toilets that you can find, but stylish and clean nonetheless. 

Ambience and Seating: Very stylish and smart layout. The coffee making area specifically, but for such a small space it is very well designed. Lounges, tables, benches and window seating. Plus outside on the street (a narrow, short street). Daily newspapers for perusal.

Dogs allowed inside: Yes

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Yes, from a specific filtered water tap next to the barista machine.

Wifi: Yes, ask at the counter. 

Hint: The Cortado is similar to an antipodean style Café Latté (less milk than a cappuccino, served in a glass). 

General remarks: One of my favourite and regular places. Take-away quite efficient with Keep-A-Cups available for purchase. Their Arabian coffee beans are fair-trade ethical and roasted on site. 

Score: 9.5 / 10

Care of www.foursquare.com

Komische Oper Berlin: The Coronation of Poppea

The Komische Oper Berlin is one of three opera houses/companies in Berlin. Historically the mandate was a "house for the people", meaning that all the works were translated into and sung in German. More recently the house has expanded into a greater repertoire, with lesser performed russian and french works being presented. The Komische Oper Berlin's other great focus has been pushing the boundaries of direction and how traditional operas are presented. 

In the case of Monteverdi's "The Coronation of Poppea", the music from the 1600s has been radically modernised by Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin to include modern and electronic instruments. What this achieves is a far greater sound palate, with which to accompany the drama onstage, led by conductor Matthew Toogood (coincidentally also Australian, but Berlin based). The drama created by intendant and director Barrie Kosky (rounding out ironically the Australian trilogy here) is extremely clear, distilling the complexity of the story and characters, and captures the raw emotions of the piece: eroticism, danger, murder, lust, wisdom, infatuation, and more. An ancient Roman thriller, where essentially everyone except the two main protagonists is murdered. 

A great advantage of the Komische Oper for foreigners is that each seat has an individual surtitle screen, which can display the real-time sung text in either German, English, French or Turkish. Tickets are extremely well priced (starting at €12), and at the conclusion of the performance one is even gifted a complimentary chocolate. 

There are only two performances left of "Poppea" - tonight 26. May at 7:30pm and 3. June at 7:30pm.

Here is Elena Kats-Chernin discussing her re-writing of the work for 2017:

Kaffee in Berlin series: #11 Kaffee 9

Café Name: Kaffee 9

Address: Eisenbahnstraße 43, 10997 Berlin
(Markthalle Neun)

Google Maps: Kaffee 9 

Transport (BVG): 
U1 (Görlitzer Bahnhof / Schlesisches Tor)  
Bus 140 (Wrangelstrasse)

Website Link: Facebook

Coffee selection: Filterkaffee, Espresso Macchiato, Americano, Cappuccino, Flat White, Latte, Draught Coffee, Iced Black, Iced Latte

Coffee sampled: Cappuccino

Cost: €2,60

Extra Shot: €0,40

Taste: Smooth blend, ever so slightly watery, no bitter after taste.

Wait-time: On this particularly visit, surprisingly no wait time (even though midday).

Friendliness of Staff: Polite and efficient.

Facilities (Toilets): None as part of the Cafe, but next door inside Markthalle Neun

Ambience and Seating: Rustic chairs and tables, offset by rather trendy open space with floor to ceiling windows. Lots of space with varying table sizes. Essentially three shops transformed into one big space.

Dogs allowed inside: Yes

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Yes, collect from same place as coffees. 

Wifi: Not sure. 

Hint: Try the Anzac Biscuits (not technically called so, but essentially the same)  

General remarks: Didn't realise that one has to wait to collect coffees after ordering (no table service), but overall a solid choice, particularly good if meeting in larger groups (adequate seating and tables).

Score: 8.5 / 10

Kaffee in Berlin series: #10 Update

Kaffee in Berlin series (Coffee in Berlin) 

has been a very slow yet ongoing process for this blog for a number of years. In fact, usually when visiting another city, one of my first inspirations for a blog post is a recommendation of where to find good coffee. 

As such, I have decided to give myself a small challenge for a couple of reasons. 

Firstly, it was with great disappointment yet deep understanding that at the end of 2016 the owners of "Antipodes" on Fehrbellinerstrasse decided to make a life change and close what had become our antipodean sanctuary for the past six years. 

While we have a number of coffee shops to which we are loyal, Antipodes was not just a place to drink fantastic coffee, rather it fostered a community, and as such a significant history of our Berlin routine focused around this particular cafe. 

Secondly, while I like having a record of our history in Berlin, so many of my posts have only remained as drafts, due to not having dedicated enough time to refine them. As such there are huge (and I mean scarily huge) timeline gaps on this blog. I am keen to rectify this. 

Thirdly, I shouldn't be surprised at myself, but I really, REALLY like coffee. I'm not an aficionado or expert on where the beans have come from, and I don't go in for stupid craves (I could go on a rather offensive rant about the filter-coffee fad, but I wont ... yet). But I am very particular about what I recommend as good coffee and there is enough coffee-snob in me to actually forgo drinking coffee at the risk of consuming something unacceptable.

As such, my focus for the next few weeks and months, is to seek out, experiment and visit as many new coffee houses and cafes in my local Berlin habitat, and use a concise formula for reviewing and recommending for those looking for a good cuppa. If you are interacting with this blog, please feel free to leave a comment or a suggestion of where you think a good espresso/cappuccino is to be found.

Let's get the espresso steaming!
 

 

Mikkeller Opening

Mikkeller Opening 

If you have visited Rosenthaler Platz in the past two years, you will have noticed that it has been a hive of construction and gentrification activity. I have lost count of the number of eateries and shops that have opened, since closed, been renovated and reopened as other business since living in the area.

Long overdue, the stretch along Torstrasse from St Oberholz to Schmittz is having a face lift and an abundance of new businesses are on the verge of opening their doors. 

It was unfortunate to see "Jean and Lily" homewares depart the area, but a new trendy-looking Deli has since taken its place. And the outdated "Fleischerei / Currywurst" dive is having a complete overhaul after lying vacant for at least 18 months. 

Then there is Torstrasse 102. A large commercial space that has been everything from Vintage clothes, to aethiest shoes, to outlets, and also vacant for more than 12 months. Suffering perhaps from being on the curve of Torstrasse, one has to be just that bit more adventurous to walk further away from Rosenthaler Platz to find it. And until now there has not been anything specific to lure people to the location.

BUT THE WAIT IS OVER!!!

Tomorrow 18.03.2017 the Grand Opening of "Mikkeller" will introduce residents and tourists alike to the assortment of Danish-brewed craft beer. 

http://mikkeller.dk/event/mikkeller-berlin-grand-opening/

The friendly staff, builders and general manager have been working at an incredible pace to get the bar ready to receive thirsty Berliners on Saturday, and the work and design has indeed paid off.

A few progress pictures from their website give you an idea of how welcoming and astutely designed the place has been transformed:

http://mikkeller.dk/location/mikkeller-berlin/

http://mikkeller.dk/location/mikkeller-berlin/

For directions to Torstrasse 102, click here:

And to more information about their Grand Opening, have a look at their facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/mikkellerberlin/

One hopes that the venture is a success, and certainly we will be joining in the celebrations of the Grand Opening tomorrow afternoon to sample some of the Danish beers on offer. Prost!!

MJT.

MANNHEIM: Coffee

Mannheim Series

True, Mannheim is not that close to Berlin - in fact, it is essentially diagonally on the opposite side of Germany. However my work commitments now have me commuting frequently between the two cities. And while Mannheim is a significantly smaller city than Berlin, trying to find the best spots requires some patience and persistence.

After a couple of months of exploration however, I now have enough recommendations to impart. And as always, my first priority centres around coffee.

BEST COFFEE IN MANNHEIM 
Beste Kaffee in Mannheim

While I now have a couple of cafes to frequent, I will start with one of the most central and yet secret italian cafes:

CRASTAN KAFFEKULT & ANTIPASTI, SNACKS

This italian coffee house is contained within an arcade off the main mall within the Quadrat P7.

Google Maps directions here:

The capuccino is made in a true italian style, with a strong espresso taste, but well blended with the milk.

Care of Instagram Quiet Crystals / @quietcrystals

The staff are extremely friendly (feel free to chat in Italian) and welcoming, and attentive without being obtrusive.

Being within an arcade, it is possible to underestimate just how nice the ambience and experience is once inside the curved glass cafe. But the traditional italian decor, marble tables, smell of roasted coffee beans and numerous antipasti and desserts on display quickly helps one settle in to enjoy an extremely nice cup of coffee. For any Antipodeans searching for familiar coffee, Crastan Kaffeekult, is definitely a must.

Care of Instagram Quiet Crystals / @quietcrystals

For their news and updates, check out their facebook page at: Crastan Kaffeekult & Antipasti, Snack

Care of Facebook: Kaffekult & Antipasti, Snack

Coffee: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Recommended: cappuccino
Price: 2,60€

It's NOVEMBER ALREADY??!!

How on earth did that happen?!

It seems like October simply disappeared - between returning from Düsseldorf, being reunited with loved ones at home in Berlin, new opportunities and work places, more travel to and auditions in Copenhagen, Deutsche Bahn strikes, performances and Halloween; There just wasn't time to do any posts. 

So I now have some catching up to do.

Coming up this month - a few more recommendations about Düsseldorf. 

Upcoming performances of Menotti's THE MEDIUM:

Friday, the 14.11.2014 at 20:00

Sunday, the 16.11.2014 at 16:00

Hauptstadtoper Berlin, Landsberger Allee 61, Friedrichshain. 

www.hauptstadtoper.de

Tickets 18€ / 10€ for concession and freelance artists / 8€ Students

Plus some new culinary discoveries, coffee places and depending on the mood, perhaps some rants - but one should stay positive.

Thanks for reading!!

M