Greetings from Munich!

Guten Tag allerseits!

Live! - coming to you from Munich at the start of a much awaited European adventure. After a very long travel day/night, we caught our breaths with a short nap, a stroll down the street for some basic staples for our AirBnB and topped it off with the first (of many!) coffee and pastry experiences at a nearby shop. With a natural rustic vibe and friendly staff who spoke English in counterpoint to our very rusty German (we’re trying), it was a relaxing way to feel welcomed to the neighborhood.

I went for a cappuccino with a freshly baked custard tart (à la the classic portuguese pastel de nata). The dried flowers atop the delicious, flaky-pastried-creamy treat were a colorful touch, especially nice since spring is in the air.

Steve had a doppio espresso and his favorite, pain au chocolat. The pain was nicely laminated and flavorful but with a bread like texture, a characteristic I suspect came from addition of egg to the dough. The quintessential flaky, shard producing French style laminated pastries we all know and love don’t typically contain egg, But different strokes for different folks - egg is often added to laminated pastry dough in countries the likes of Germany and Denmark (here’s the recipe I like to use). It’s all in how it’s done!

We strolled down a few of the neighborhood’s winding streets and discovered the church yard cemetery that is literally behind our building. Dappled light, sun and shadows, spring flowers and the memories of those in repose - a beautiful spot.

Check out Steve’s blog for more on our trip comings and goings.

We ended our first day in Munich with a Campari soda toast and tasty freshly made pasta dishes at another nearby eatery . Now it’s time for a good night’s sleep.

More coming up. Ciao for now!