The 06.30 flight from Gatwick to München, Marg and Hector have become regulars on this flight over the last few years. Ironically, easyJet now have an 18.00 Friday evening flight from Edinburgh directly, but this was not the schedule when we booked. 18.00 is also on the cusp of accessibility. To make matters even more frustrating, our Monday flight back to Edinburgh with easyJet was cancelled some time back. The only Monday this has occurred. I have no explanation and none was given. So BA it will be home, Avios comes in handy.
We arrived at the Hotel Royal (Schillerstarsse) just after 10.30. We were in our room by 11.00. This is service. Unusually, the S Bahn from the Airport arrived at Platform 26 in the Main Station, The Way to Arrive. The Glockenspiel at Marienplatz was just about to begin its 12.00 performance as we passed through. We had better things to do and its only four weeks since our last witnessing of this Traditional Display. Marienplatz was full of Wooden Huts. The Weihnachtsmarkt is due to start in a couple of weeks. Huts were being dropped off everywhere we went. Hector will be in Köln in five weeks time, there will be further reports from the Bier-Traveller.
Caffe Piemonte
Marg loves it here. There are many Cafés in München in this style. Given our limited stay, we tend to go to the tried and tested. White Hot Chocolate – The Hot Orgasm – as Hector so crudely describes it. Should I have this before Curry? I regretted it two years ago, today I was in the mood. Last month Marg had the slice of Cake from Hell at this Venue. Today she decided Lunch would be Coffee and Apfelstrudel with Vanilla Sauce.
Hector had other plans for Lunch. The Fisch Chettinad at the Indian Mango is a Hector Highlight in any München Trip. (Beware, closed on Mondays and over the New Year period) We walked briskly through the Viktualienmarkt and booked our table for this evening’s meal at Der Schorr. It’s November, that’s where we dine.
Lunch over it was time to Shop. With a BA Flight back, an extra Bag had been brought just in case we were bursting at the seams. Marg disappeared into the Basement of the Kaufhof on Kaufinger Strasse. Hector went upstairs to the Herren Department. Over the years I have made some decent purchases here. Not today. It was all Jeans and Hideous Clothing with Random Writing. Camp David? David may well be Camp, why wear this? At least Hollister appears to be dying, how do the Thousands who wander the streets with this Logo emblazoned on their clothing feel now? German Breweries, that could become a New Fashion.
Dressed for Cool Weather, Hector was Cooking inside the Kaufhof and so announced his departure. In the past we would have had to stick together like glue, technology is useful. Marg appeared with some modest purchases. C&A, clearly marked, as the old underwear joke goes, sold some really down-market clothing. Nothing here for Hector either. What has been a building site for a couple of years now had two new stores. Forever 21 was dreadful – Kack – at high prices. The Sports Store next door was massive and sold nothing of any interest. We buy our Trainers in Bradford, next door to the Hilton. What Hector was looking for in every store was not on offer. Outdoor Clothing appears to be Skiing over here, not Clothes for Cool Weather.
Marg wanted to see the small shops parallel to the Man Drag, the places we pass at night walking the Back-Route from the Hofbräuhaus. Remember Bier? Not yet.
Fading Fast
It was finally Bier O’Clock. Knowing that this evening I would be sampling the Pschorr Helles served from Holzfass (Straight form the Barrel, as we have a tour Barrel Parties), I did not fancy being served Pumped Bier. Marg fancied Gluhwein.
Let’s try Augustiner am Dom, Dr. Stan’s Favourite Venue. They serve Bier in the Direkt manner. We have been there with Dr. Stan. And so we entered, took a seat, no Gluhwein. We left and crossed over to Andechs am Dom. They had Gluhwein but insisted we stood in the Smoky Pit if we were not there to order food too. We left without establishing that they still don’t sell Spezial Hell. For the Quintillionth time, there’s no demand…
We went back to the Augustiner am Dom and realised that this was not actually it. We were next door in the Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom, and we had been here with Dr. Stan. I’m lost too. Marg had Coffee, Hector finally had a Bier, or two. Very Cool, Very Pleasant, not Sweet, Not Gassy, and not as Strong as Edelstoff. Dr. Stan insists this is the Better Bier.
A German Couple sat on the Opposite Corner of our table and ordered everything on the Menu, well so it appeared. Three Ladies joined us, one had been Resident in München since 1972, all were Scottish. They wanted Duck, Hector established Ente was on the Menu. The Couple Opposite did not have Duck. The Duck looked Tasty, but Splashy.
Time for some ZZZs.
Dinner was booked for 20.00, we were punctual. Our upstairs table was on the back wall so we were not overlooking The Action. The Fear of Heights was therefore not an issue either. Marg ordered Veal Meatballs, Hector the Killer Wiener Schnitzel. This comes as two Pieces, each larger than most Single Servings. Well, I only had Fish for Lunch.
We were well looked after by Doris who kept the Helles coming. Marg did have a Weisswein Spritzer. Then there was Creme Brulee. We thought we had seen Creme Brulee before, this was on a New Level – and Marg thinks I have Large Portions? I only wish my Diet permitted…
We have been here for Coffee in the mornings and for Evening Meals in Large Company. The place always impresses. Although a bit Pricier than other Venues, the Food is always of High Quality, albeit Traditional German Cooking, and the Service impresses. Until Next November.
Once upon a time one would never have considered walking n to the Hofbräuhaus at 22.00 and expect to secure a seat. Since the Smoking Ban was introduced this famous Bierhalle is a much more sedate affair. Traditional Musik, no Vocals this evening ether. We sat at the table we have occupied for the past two years, so the Calendar Photos will be pretty similar. The First Bier is always the hardest to get as one does not know which Bert is serving a particular table. It did take ten minutes t get served, not impressive. Helles to start, always worth it,but then I stared at the table opposite. Hector has not had the Dunkels here for some years. That is no longer the case. Bert did bring more Helles, he was promptly dispatched.
The Dunkels was possibly even Drier than the Helles, a good call. Next time it will be Dunkels to start.
There is no truth in the rumour that Hector was last out of the Hofbräuhaus. This also gave me the Opperchancity to take Photos of an Empty Bierhalle.
There was no stop-off at the Sports Bar. Morgen vielleicht.
The Cafes and Restaurants visited today:
Caffe Piemonte – Petersplatz 9, 80331 München
Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom – Frauenplatz 9, 80331, München
Der Schorr – Viktualienmarkt 15, 80331, München
Hofbräuhaus – Platzl 9, 80331, München
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