Haute Cuisine at Genuss-Atelier

This picture shows Lisa Deutschmann (business management and marketing), Martin Seifried (chef), Marcus Blonkowski (chef) and Nicole Blonkowski (restaurant management).

They all met in Vienna where they studied, trained and worked in Haute Cuisine. The team of four decided to start something great back in their hometown Dresden. And born was the idea for Genuss-Atelier: a restaurant that offers food of an extraordinary quality in an unpretentious atmosphere.

Our lunch  

Romaine Lettuce with Poularde, Capers and Parmigiano  

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Saibling with Parsley Root and Leek

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Mousse of Gingerbread with Crumbles and Morello Cherries 

If you are curious and want to try it yourself, here is their website and address.

frenzy in the chicken coop

iPhone photo at  "Blumenschnecke"

Germany Today- exhibition at Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden from March 8 to October 12, 2014

Yesterday  I happened to be part of the first group who has been guided through the exhibition "Das Neue Deutschland - Von Migration und Vielfalt" at Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden. So, of course, I have to report you on it!  First of all, in order to avoid misunderstandings: nowadays  Hygiene-Museum does not deal anymore with  subjects of "hygiene" or "health care" in the strict sense of the word as it did back in the time of its foundation in 1912. Back then, the museum was meant to promote and democratize  hygiene, diet, healthcare and sanitary improvement.
Today the museum has turned into an open forum for discussion covering the cultural, social and scientific revolutions taking place in our society at the beginning of the 21st century.
Usually, the exhibitions at  Hygiene-Museum are planned and set up  in a way that touches all your senses to make the experience as real as possible.


Germany Today- Migration and Diversity

Entering the first room we are immersed in warm light, wooden boxes are piled up in form of a skyline, some of the boxes are topped with the landmarks of the world's big capitals. The Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Sidney Opera House among others: we are in the hall of desire for a better life.

What struck me most of the exhibition have been the two paths of crossing a border: one for the owners of a problem-free passport, easy, the sparkling world of commerce at immediate reach, cheering people in the arrival area.
The other path for asylum seekers, uncertain, difficult, hopeless, often a dead end street.

If you have the possibility you definitely should come and visit. There's so much more to learn and to experiment. About reciprocal prejudices, racism (open or hidden in the subconscious), religion, Saxonian history of migration, migration covered by the media over the last 50 years, migration in the big business "football", testimonials of immigrants living here....

Moreover, if you are further interested in the subject, I strongly recommend you to read Doug Saunders' Arrival City.

The exhibition ends in a large aerial room, where you find plenty of space to sit down and reflect. Whoever you are and wherever you stand, the questions displayed on the walls might help you to clear up your mind.

the lakes

Sophienteich, Moritzburg

Altenteiche, Moritzburg

Altenteiche, Moritzburg

Schloss Moritzburg

the flood

7pm, Dresden, Waldschlösschen

My Dresden: Ratimir about student life in Dresden

I had the pleasure to talk with Ratimir (23 years), originally from Duschanbe (Tajikistan),  about student life in Dresden. Since 4 years he is studying electrical engineering at TU Dresden.  Here's my little interview for you:

How would you describe Dresden to someone who has never been?

It's a cultural city with a stunning Altstadt and a perfect campus; the atmosphere is familiar. Even being more than 35.000 students you often see familiar faces.

The best neighbourhood to live in?

Dresden Neustadt or on the campus (there are a lot of parties)

How do you get around the city?

Students get a free semester ticket for public transport (valid all over Saxony!) -or by bike

Where do you meet girls?

During the week: at the small bars at Dresden Neustadt

On weekends: At Pier 15, a chic and stylish club with beautiful outdoors. There's a beach, a volley ball court and a swimming pool. Perfect place to chill!

The coolest clubs?

Pier 15 (Leipziger Str.15, 01097 Dresden)

Downtown (Katharinenstr.11-13, 01099 Dresden)

Kraftwerk (Wettiner Platz 7, 01067 Dresden)

What is a tourist place you love to visit?

Frauenkirche and Zwinger

The best place to have coffee and watch people?

The cafés at Weiße Gasse and the Borowski (Prager Str. 8a, 01069 Dresden)

What is your favourite restaurant for a dinner with friends?

Va Piano (St. Petersburger Str.26, 01069 Dresden) and Al Capone (Alaunstr.62, 01099 Dresden)

Where do you go when you want to eat something healthy?

(I never eat healthy, haha!) Ok, maybe to Sushi and Wine...

What should you bring back home from Dresden?

Dresdner Christstollen and Radeberger 

A place to stay when springtime comes?

the meadow behind SLUB (University library)

What do you do to stay fit?

I go to Fitness First twice a week and I love running in the Großer Garten.

University Dresden offers courses in football, dancing, riding, tennis, actually any activity you can imagine. 

Your idea of a perfect Saturday in Dresden?

An early morning run along the Elbe, brunch at Rauschenbach (Weiße Gasse 2, 01067 Dresden),

shopping at Prager Straße, chill on a rag at Elbwiesen or Großer Garten, have drinks at BBC (Alaunstr.16, 01099 Dresden) or in one of the close by shisha bars Habibi, Canape and Magnolia,  dance at the Downtown until the morning comes. 

Patisserie & Café Émoi

Nancy et moi, went to Cafe Émoi today. Excuse my very German Sparwitz in the introduction but a good opportunity for a non funny joke could not be missed under any circumstances.

Café Émoi, a bright and modern place, offers your tastebuds the rare experience of French handmade tarts.

White and pink, crystal chandeliers in the sitting area add Frenchness and elegance.
The long counter in the heart of the Café is loaded with little tarts, croissants and cakes. Mr. George,  patissier and owner of Émoi starts to work on his creations at 3:30 in the morning.
He was so kind to meet us and dedicate us some of his time.  He told us that he had lived the life of a globetrotter before he settled in Dresden, close to his hometown Meissen.  France, Belgium, Spain, England, Mexico - just to name some of the countries where he lived and worked in patisseries and restaurants pushing his art to perfection.

However much passion he dedicates to his work the love of his life is his beautiful wife, whom he met in Mexico.

Nancy and I tried a choice of Zupfkuchen and lemon tart, a glass of dill scented pannacotta with mango, a pear and chocolat tart and cherry hazelnut biscuit. All of them delicious!  There is also a bakery shelf with German bread and rolls.
Breakfast with coffee or tea, croissants, homemade jams, eggs and ham is available.

Visit Émoi on https://www.facebook.com/emoi.dresden to find more "sweet" pictures.

Patisserie & Café Émoi
Kamenzer Str. 40
01099 Dresden
Tel. 0351 804 38 14

Semperoper

Theaterplatz, Dresden

Did you ever listen to the famous "sound of ancient gold"?
This is how they call the warm and full sound which characterizes the Saxon State Orchestra and which has been saved through the centuries until today. The Staatskapelle, as it is commonly known,  is one of the world's oldest orchestras, always carried on by artists, which carefully choose their new fellow musicians exactly because of coping with this special ideal of sound.
The Staatskapelle's home is the Semperoper, situated at the Theaterplatz in the very center of Dresden. Did you once happen to watch the TV advertising of Radeberger beer? Well, the beautiful classical building is not the brewery but the opera!

Despite yesterday's cold and foggy weather  (and probably icy streets on my way back home) I decided that in no way I could miss the 6th chamber evening : the second part of the program included Le Chant de Linos by Jolivet with the striking solo flute and Béla Bartók's string quartet n°4, which in its five movements displays the whole technical frenzy a stringed instrument (together with its player) is able to.  I saw a lot of bows' hairs flying loose!


It's amazing how the big opera stage by means of a beautiful tapestry in the back is able to shrink down to an intimate place where chamber music doesn't feel lost.

Nevertheless, if you have the possibility don't miss to visit one of the great opera performances, the ballets or the symphony concerts. Here is the 2013 program.

My long term recommendation: I'm sure it will be interesting to closely watch the orchestra's development under the conducting of Christian Thielemann. Both are very happy to have found each other.
My short term recommendation: buy tickets for the 9th or 12th of June 2013. Richard Strauss' Rosenkavalier conducted by Christian Thielemann will be sublime!

Remaining tickets are sold to students for 10€ 30 minutes before the performance begins.
See also ticket sales.
For those who are especially interested in the program of the Staatskapelle, there is a free App available  on itunes.

wintersun

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed a full day of bright sunshine in this fridge. Sun changes  it all: suddenly it becomes so easy to stick to my winter's resolution.

on the path from Moritzburg to Dippeldorfer Teich

Dresden Christmas Stollen

... as rich as the treasury chamber of King August the Strong.

Click here to find out all there is to know about Dresden Stollen, history, recipe, beautiful step-by-step pictures!

Have a happy weekend!

straight from the garden to my oven

And yes, there is a difference in taste between homegrown and bought in the shop! This yellow zucchino proved it. In its perfect state of ripeness, with only a few hours between garden and oven,  seasoned with sea salt and olive oil, it made for a simple and most delicious dinner.

The origin of this bright vegetable: Mr Simonsen's amazing showgardens where we spent an afternoon to gather inspiration for our own garden. My next project will probably be a small kitchen garden!

I love to see Dresden with the eyes of a tourist

Contemporary Art - Homegrown

Every year for 2 months the Ostrale invites national and international artists  to take part in a remarkable event at a historical site. The Hans-Erlwein-slaughterhouse offers 15.000 m² exhibition space and an outdoor area more than three times larger. You hardly encounter other visitors and especially a grey sky adds to the post-apocalyptic atmosphere, that creeps upon me in the old halls.

With the issue "homegrown" the OSTRALE/ 012 is dedicated to the self-cultivated or self-grown and is principally asking for localizing creative impetuses in a spatial, temporal and cultural context.

Focus of attention is the relationship between tradition and innovation.

There were  works that really stood out to me. I will just post a very small selection.

Heinz Bert Dreckmann, City

Fabian von Spreckelsen, Trophy Marlin, Elephant and Deer

Sybille Walenciak, work in progress

Nikola Dicke, Tapisserie

Maria Trialoni, Retrospective Re-statements

Michael Wahrenberg, Die Türe zum Erfolg

See you at OSTRALE/ 013!