Liquor and Chocolate

January 2, 2010

Before the New Year rolls around and I have to swear off all my favorite things (again), I thought I could write a quick piece on a recent trip I took to Duesseldorf. Now for those of you who thought (as I did) that the only reason to go to Duesseldorf is to hit the airport on your way to someplace else, there are, in fact, many other worthwhile reasons to go!
First of all, the city is located on the banks of the Rhine River, so you may walk along the river on a wide avenue lined by cafes and restaurants – in the summertime, virtually the entire city moves outdoors. (Though even in the wintertime, at least during the Christmas market season, you must use your elbows to be able to progress a mere few inches at a time).
There is the Rheinturm, offering an interesting concept of time – namely the world’s largest decimal clock - as well as a lovely view of the city. The port area, or MedienHafen, has been modernized and features stunning and innovatively designed buildings by the likes of Frank O. Gehry, Steven Holl, and David Chipperfield.
Duesseldorf, birthplace of Claudia Schiffer, is a major European fashion capital and has its own equivalent of Fifth Avenue, called the Königsallee, affectionately shortened to “Kö,” which boasts all of the same high-end boutiques I could window shop in at home. (I have to say that despite the economic downturn, these stores appeared to be doing a brisk business). Duesseldorf also boasts a huge annual international shoe fair (sigh!) as well as a yearly event called the Tour d’Atelier during which you can look in on designers at work.

But besides all these,  I would like to mention a chocolate lover’s paradise called Gut & Gerne near Duesseldorf’s city hall which looks like it might have been the setting for a film, with its mouth-watering glass display cases full of tempting pralines and its quaint wood furnishings adding to the ambience as well. Luckily my friend was actually doing some buying, while I merely gaped in astonishment at the 220 different kinds of flavored truffles available, including such things as candied rose leaves, ginger, or chili pepper. A visit there will make you gain twenty pounds in no time, if only because everything is presented so beautifully.
Once you have gorged on enough of these delightful sweets, you will be in the perfect state to roll down to „Et Kabüffke“ on Flinger Street. This lovingly decorated tiny bar packs a huge punch,  as it run by the founders of a heavy, fruity, herbal liqueur called Killepitsch, which, twice-distilled and aged in small casks, also happens to be 84 proof.

Of all the sights, this is probably one of the most unique – ‘oen aeschte Duesseldorfer Spezijalitaet,’ or a genuine Duesseldorf specialty as they say in the local dialect. For those who want to try something to rival Jaegermeister, this might just be it, though it is a lot harder to find in North America: http://www.killepitsch.de/

About the Author : Tamara-Diana Braunstein brings us her stories from Senegal every week. She was born in Brooklyn, New York. She is a restless wanderer who earned an MA from the University of Freiburg and has worked in a youth hostel in the French Alps, a law firm in Montreal, the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as in university press publishing. At the moment her home base is Dortmund, Germany after recently returning from teaching in Dakar, Senegal. You can follow learn more about Tamara’s experiences at her blog senegalschoolmarm.blogspot.com