Showing posts with label Berlin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berlin. Show all posts

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Lucy's The Deli

Lucy's The Deli

Finally a new cafe has moved into the long-unoccupied space at Torstrasse 116 near Rosenthaler Platz. "Hermann's" had a couple of successful years, but has been vacant for quite a time, which has been a loss to the area, as it has one of the biggest physical spaces in the area. 


Thankfully "Lucy's The Deli" has arrived (moving down the hill from Brunnenstrasse) and the atmosphere is very calm, with friendly staff and good food and drink. Much of the layout, furniture, and ambience has been inherited from "Hermann's" - all the better though, since it is very open, spacious, and calming. There are even booths if needing to work a little. 


For all those looking for vegetarian or vegan options, you will find a great selection of fresh options. And there are a couple of Keto options too, if you ask nicely. 


Being summer, I can definitely recommend the iced-matcha latte and the protein balls (different flavours available).  


Here's wishing Lucy's The Deli a strong survival, but not at the loss of the current atmosphere and vibe. 


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

21 gramm

21 gramm

Looking for a great brunch place in Berlin? Wondering what to do on Sunday in Berlin when almost everything else is closed? Desperate for a decent flat white? 

You might be close to death trying, but only in location of this place, since it is part of the cemetery of St Thomas (St Thomas Kirchhof). 

21 GRAMM

A bruch place in the former chapel of the St Thomas Friedhof (cemetery), the wait-staff cannot afford to rest in peace, since this place is extremely popular, and it's not hard to understand why. 

As a former chapel, 21 gramm have managed to create a cosy ambience within quite an open space, while making the whole aesthetic quite unique and inviting. 

You can find their entire menu via their website here:

https://www.21gramm.berlin/




Though in the heart of Neukölln it is well located on the U8 (southern entrance of U-Leinestrasse) or a manageable walk from the S-Bahn_Ring via Hermannplatz.


Brunch is served 09:30 to 15:45 Wednesday through to Sunday (Monday, Tuesday closed) with dishes priced from €9,50 to €13,90 (without added extras). 

We shared dishes in order to enjoy more variety, but certainly the BBQ noodles were our favourite. Followed closely by the pancakes...





And most important, the flat white was just right: Slightly darker in colour, served in a glass with the correct amount of milk froth, and a strong brew without being bitter. €3,90



Tuesday, October 27, 2020

SnowSymphony Designs - Husky inspired

SnowSymphony have started releasing some of their print designs, inspired by all things Siberian Husky related. In this time of Maskenpflicht (mandatory mask wearing) what better way to show your affection for these creatures, than to have a personalised mask or T-shirt. The designs look sleek, and you can request a personalised catch-phrase or design through the website. 

Check it out here:

https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60904474

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Wagner's GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG

Hi all, 

The Corona Virus pandemic and subsequent lockdown period has affected us all, not just in Berlin, Germany, or Europe, but the entire world. 

Unfortunately the performing arts industry has been significantly impacted by the restrictions. In a city like Berlin, which is the only city in the world to support three state opera houses, for both performers and audiences alike, the lack of live opera performance has been sole destroying. 

Though the houses are tentatively opening their doors for an initial 4 month season, it is unlikely that we will be able to enjoy the grandeur of the large scale operatic works. 

Therefore I share with you here, a piano accompaniment to the final instalment of Richard Wagner's epic "Ring des Nibelungen" cycle: Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods). 

If you love the music, I hope you enjoy this performance. If you are a singer, I hope that it is of some use for you practicing along to the accompaniment. 

Please subscribe to the YouTube channel, and feel free to like and share the recordings. 

Hopefully we get back to the live performances sooner rather than later. 

MJT

Götterdämmerung. 1.Aufzug (First Act)


Götterdämmerung. 2.Aufzug (Second Act)


Götterdämmerung. 3.Aufzug (Third Act)

 

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss Open Day

After years of contemplating, debating and designing, the Berliner Schloss (Berlin Castle) is finally returning to the heart of Berlin. The weekend of June 24-25 gave Berliners an exciting taste of what is to be expected, by opening the (lack of) doors of the building site to the public's eyes.

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Along Unter den Linden opposite the Lustgarten the Humboldt Forum Box now begins to look dwarfed against the growing Schloss, where the first example of historical-looking rendered external wall gives Berliners a taste of what is yet to come. 

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The inner courtyards could only give a conceptual impression of what is yet to come, with scaffolding still dominating the walls. Although it was interesting to observe that as per the perimeter walls, the inner walls of the Eastern Hof will be a combination of both modern and historical architecture. Three walls will be made to look like the original courtyard walls of the Prussian Residence, while the fourth and final wall, which already stands mostly complete, is a modern building design. 

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Statues and stonework were on display for the passing crowds, although clearly not yet in position. Regardless, the attention to original detail for this stonework is indeed impressive. 

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The middle and inner welcoming courtyard continues this idea of blending modern and historical architecture, with two opposing walls in modern design, while the other two yet to be bricked and rendered (plastered). On this occasion the courtyard welcomed visitors with food trucks and information stands. 

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A delight of the day for anyone interested in architecture was seeing the progress of the building works, particularly the combination of a prefabricated concrete shell, historical stone work and rendered brick to bring the whole structure together. 

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Walking in the entrance from below where the dome will soon be completed (a controversial debate whether the dome should be completed with a gold cross, as originally designed for the Prussian Palace but never actually realised) one enters the final "courtyard". Though an open courtyard in the original Schloss, the Humboldt Forum is covered by an impressive glass room. No-doubt giving more all-weather use to the space. 
 
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Live experimental post-modern electronic music entertained the visiting crowds, and hopefully the space is later used for a wide variety of performances and concerts. 

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A model gives the scope of what the entire Schloss will look like when completed (though not all white), including the covered west courtyard. Notice also the cross atop the dome...

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Amusing was the post-it-note forum, allowing visitors to write their own suggestions about how the Schloss should be utilised and general commentary. Interestingly many commenting for and against the inclusion of the cross above the dome. Plus advocating for Bonanza Coffee and free entry. ;)

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A few examples of the external wall now completed and with scaffolding removed. 

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Within the Humboldt Forum Box, which now has free entry, examples of how Berlin looked at the beginning of the 20th Century are recreated in models. Obviously centering around the Berlin Schloss, the differences in design are made far clearer (particularly the eastern end along the Spree, which was the first Residenz. 

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And if one has the time, a great deal of history regarding the original Prussian Schloss, its survival of the World Wars, but not of the Soviet control, which leveled the remains to build a parade ground instead. The asbestos filled People's Palace lasted even less than the DDR. 








Berlin the ever-constant building site! Down below from the Humboldt Forum Box one gets a glimpse of one of the entrances to the U5 U-Bahn line being built underneath Unter den Linden - to run from Alexander Platz to the Hauptbahnhof. 

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Some more examples of the progress and stages of building. Concrete, windows, tar, bricks, stones, rendering.

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Views from the terrace of the Humboldt Forum Box towards Alexander Platz and the TV tower, and across the road to the Lustgarten, the Berlin Dom and Altes Museum. 

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Finally some information regarding how the space of the new Berliner Schloss will be used.