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Ejo #34 – TEEC: Day 25 (The Best Of…)

BEST COFFEE
AMSTERDAM
Latei
http://www.latei.net/

BERLIN
The Barn
http://thebarn.de/

MÜNCHEN
Bar Centrale
http://www.bar-centrale.com/

BEST BAR
BERLIN
Zyankali
http://www.zyankali.de/

Zyankali (apparently) means cyanide in German. There were razor blades and barbed wire set in resin on the toilet seat, spiders under glass for the bar top, beakers, Bunsen burners and test tubes behind the bar. The cocktails were amazing, and delicious and the place was warm and inviting. Highly recommended!!!

I know, it’s kinda gross but hey, i think deep down you really wanted to see it!

BEST SIT DOWN DINNER
AMSTERDAM
In De Keuken
http://www.indekeuken.com/

Best meal in Amsterdam. Relaxed environment but really top quality dishes. This was the unbelievably good peach dessert. In contention for best dessert ever.

BERLIN
Lorenz Adlon
http://www.lorenzadlon-esszimmer.de/en/mission

BERLIN – HONORABLE MENTION
Baldon Sur Mer
No website.

This place had room for 19 guests. It’s tiny, but the food is world class. Nina, the sommelier, was a delight, charming us with her friendliness and wine choices to match the six delicious courses. Only just pipped at the post by Lorenz Adlon (though it only cost 20%).

MÜNCHEN
Tantris
http://www.tantris.de/home.php

MOST FUN EVENT
AMSTERDAM
House Of Bols Tour
http://www.houseofbols.com

BERLIN
Berlin Festival
http://www.berlinfestival.de/?lang=en

MÜNCHEN
Oktoberfest
http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/

BEST QUOTE
AMSTERDAM
“I speak English, I just don’t want to help you”

BEST FAST FOOD
BERLIN
Mustafa’s Döner Kebap
http://mustafas.de/

BERLIN – HONORABLE MENTION
Curry 36
http://www.curry36.de/

SOOOOOOOO much better than it looks. And so good at the end of a big night. Berlin, thank you for the best currywurst!!

BEST DECISION
AMSTERDAM
Catching up with Claire, Ben, Kevin and Rachel

The Amstergang: Claire, Ben, David, Rachel, Kevin (and me, of course)!!!

AMSTERDAM – HONORABLE MENTION
To get my hair cut
http://www.lysandro.nl/en/about-us/about-us/

BERLIN
To wait in line for Döner at Mustafa’s

MÜNCHEN
To wear a dirndl to Oktoberfest

BEST WEATHER
AMSTERDAM
The day we left

BERLIN
The day we left

MÜNCHEN
The day we left

Ejo #34 – TEEC: Day 24 (Our Oktoberfest Experience)

The Oktoberfest gods smiled down upon us yesterday. When we woke up it was pouring down with rain and I was devastated that it would be too cold to wear my dirndl. But very gradually, the rain abated and the blue skies prevailed. It was still a little chilly, but hey, sometimes you have to suffer for your art!

Yes, I did go out in public like this! You know what they say, “When in München…”

So off we went to Oktoberfest. It was like nothing I’d imagined. A big fairground with food stalls, shriek-inducing rides, kids running around, girls in dirndls, men in Lederhosen, and beer! Lots and lots of beer! What was really wonderful is how everyone gets into the Oktoberfest spirit. I had been prepared to feel like a weirdo wearing the regional costume, but I think I would have stood out more if I hadn’t worn it. I’d say 85% of all women (between the ages of newborn and 90) were wearing them. And I was a bit sad that David hadn’t been swept up in the hoopla (like the other 70% of dudes), and bought himself a handsome pair of Lederhosen to wear. Oh well. Maybe next time?

Boys in Lederhosen…..

…. checking out girls in Dirndls.

Heidi, is that you?

I don’t even like beer that much but when you’re at Oktoberfest you’d be ridiculous not to drink it. And yes, those are 1 litre maß (jugs)!!!!

The tents were absolutely jam packed. Punters happily squeezed onto benches designed to fit half as many people.

Every time the band played a song (which I’ve translated as being something along the lines of, “Beer, beer beer, beer, beer beer beer!) the entire tent would erupt into cheers and shouts and everyone would clink their steins. It was fun!

Ejo #34 – TEEC: Day 22 (Date Night In Berlin)

Yesterday was a rather lazy day. Late lunch, a lovely Cremant Rosè on a terrace overlooking a glorious park, and then a little while spent lolling in aforementioned park. Then, later in the evening, we went out for a fancy schmancy dinner at a restaurant called Lorenz Adlon.

The trivia freaks amongst you might remember the name Adlon (which is also the name of the hotel which runs the restaurant) as the place where a younger, unwiser Michael Jackson dangled his (ridiculously named) baby son, Blankey (or Blanket, or Whatever) over the balcony. Ooooh, how scandalous!

Lorenz Adlon is one of only a couple of Berlin restaurants awarded two Michelin stars (see, I told you it was fancy schmancy). We had a GREAT night, ate LOTS of amazing food and drank a ridiculous amount of good wine.

We had a table with the best view of the Brandenburg Gate!

I know, I know. But it’s just so damn delicious. Particularly when paired with an AMAZING sparkling Moscato d’Asti.

Salmon (along with a whole bunch of other stuff that I can’t remember off the top of my head but which was just divine).

The delightful marriage of pork and scallop, in a subtle curry emulsion. Mmmmmm!!

Pigeon, with accompaniments. Delicious.

My fruity (chocolate free) dessert. So pretty.

David’s chocolate-riddled dessert. A masterpiece.