If you look at the endless list of restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, bars and lounges in Munich, its's hard to believe that there are those industrious folks who dare to add yet another culinary offering to the mix. But a truly creative newcomer recognizes a market niche and doesn't allow him/herself to be dissuaded from realizing the idea. And that's a good thing.
Lotus Lounge is just such an eatery. The small restaurant, located directly in the nerve center of the Glockenbach quarter, at Hans-Sachs-Strasse 10, was immediately embraced by the neighborhood—the news that a highly acclaimed female chef took over the kitchen naturally got around fast. Shortly after the opening, it quickly became, and still is, necessary to make dinner reservations at Lotus Lounge. Or, for those who’d rather just enjoy a bit of liquid refreshment during this comfortable-yet-stylish eatery’s Happy Hour, order a fresh and fruity Mai Tai, set up camp at one of the few outdoor tables and watch life go by in this eclectic part of town. Open daily except Mon., Tel. 21 89 97 55.
Another newcomer is Alexander Vits, whose café, Vits, is located at Rumfordstrasse 49. Given the fact that coffee-shop chains are spreading like mange in the inner city these days, one would think that, between tourists and locals, the caffeine needs of those in Munich would be pretty much taken care of already. So, anyone planning on opening yet another café must be brave and have one very special idea: and Vits surely did. Before serving us our coffee, Vits roasts the beans before our very eyes. This, and an incomparable, stylish and original ambience, all but ensures that this café, located between Isartor and Gärtnerplatz, will become a favorite new hangout.
In June, another new eatery opened, near Stachus, at Sonnenstrasse 9, on the corner of Herzogspitalstrasse. Tahitian Noni Cafe is the offshoot of the Utah-based wellness products company, which adds the juice of the “wonder fruit,” the Polynesian noni, to all its offerings. This café, really more of a restaurant, serves great Polynesian cuisine—a welcome alternative to Trader Vic, the high-priced pack leader of Pacific Rim dining in Munich. At Noni, such dishes as delicious spare ribs served on a bed of tea-steamed rice, fried chicken breast in a macadamia nut coating and shrimp sushi dipped in coconut and sesame bring the South Seas to the Bavarian capital.
There’s news on the Zerwirk front to report: obviously worn down by all the complaints made by noise-weary neighbors, disco owner Michi Kern decided that, instead of making the young dance crowd happy, he would set his sights higher and do something nice for more refined, metropolitan vegans. “In mid-August, we want to open a vegan deli, New York-style,” says Kern. “It will have take-out and a retail store, which will sell groceries, flowers and even cosmetics.” This is certainly a good idea: it’s a great fit for the quarter, and it won’t make any beastly noise. As Munich’s first vegan store, it is certain to be trendy. And not entirely “uncharming” is the fact that it will make its home in the same location once used to slaughter game.
Look for mention of Retters in this month’s article on wine shopping. The wine store also boasts a beautiful new restaurant, with its own outdoor seating in a charming courtyard. Since June, the restaurant has been serving up most ambitious regional fare, made with the freshest of ingredients. If you are looking for a permanent menu, you can forget it, because head chef Peter Gruber (formerly chef at Landesdorfer and Innerhofer) creates the whopping menu daily, inspired by whatever looks good across the street at the Viktualienmarkt. Because good German wine plays a particularly important role at Retters, each day, a classic specialty from one of Germany’s wine regions is prepared. (Maybe this will help bring new life to the legendary tripe once served in Baden’s wine taverns of old!) Open 11:30 am–11 pm, Tues.–Sat., closed holidays.
Our final two pieces of news both revolve around “cups.” The good news is, when the World Cup ends, we can stop drinking Anheuser-Busch Budweiser and go back to real beer. The bad news is, a local Starbucks manager recently proudly announced that the company is looking for 12 more locations in Munich’s inner city. Is there anyone out there who really wants them?
