An Exploration of Curiosities
( “The Chocolate Girl” by Jean-Étienne Liotard ) Café Maldaner is often crowded and customer service is hit or miss. I still believe it’s worth a visit, or in my case, a dozen. Spinning through the turnstile doorway transports you to a bygone era of a …
My heels and head were confused as I entered. The GPS read Wiesbaden, but my eyes saw Paris. Clusters of blood red roses accentuated by flickering candles topped tables draped in crisp white linen. Reflective silverware became bookends to napkins shaped like crowns. Hundreds of …
Dieter Ege’s gunmetal rimmed spectacles complemented his well-groomed gray mane. A tailored suit rested on shoulders with impeccable posture while a crisp white collar framed a poised jawline. For 30 years Mr. Ege has managed a historical property in Wiesbaden, the Schwarzer Bock Hotel. Stepping …
Christopher Deyer and his wife Antje Probst surround themselves with objects they love and value – books. In 2014 the couple opened a shop where bookworms would feel at home, Buch-Café Nero39. They chose a beautiful location off a quiet street. The store’s interior includes …
“Morning Awakening” by Eva Gonzalès (April 19, 1849—May 6, 1883) I fell in love with 21 kindergarteners before I could remember their names. And the feeling was mutual. While the teacher began her day in the back of the room on the computer, the first fifteen minutes of …
It’s been a year since I received, Classic German Baking by Luisa Weiss. And I’m happy to share, I finally rolled up my sleeves, tied on my apron and stained my first page. The recipe I wanted to tackle first is found at nearly every …
If your apron and cookbook wear stains with honor, then I suggest you do what cooks in Wiesbaden have done for 70 years, head to Karl Müller & Co. Tucked on a quiet lane under a striped awning you’ll discover a door leading to …
Sometimes getting caught in the rain has benefits. I’m thankful for the day I forgot my umbrella at home during a downpour, it’s what brought me to an entry I’d passed countless times without noticing. With only four tables, blink or sneeze and you’re …
Cemeteries train the eye to glance downward. As if the thought of death weren’t somber enough, most are flat and grey. The only breath of life – the occasional wilting flowers that rest beside headstones. If you have the opportunity to visit the cemetery, Père Lachaise in Paris, you’ll …
I’m fascinated by individuals who make waiting tables their profession. My forearms have balanced trays. My fingers have pulled tap handles. And once-upon-a-time, I served cocktails and peanuts at 32,000 feet. The service industry is physically and mentally demanding, which is why a few months …