darrylfeldman.com

Funny, about 6 years ago I visited Berlin for the first time and complained about the situation with ‘coffee to go’. I found it annoying that I could not get a takeaway coffee at all…this was harsh for a Brit who happened to be spending a lot of time in US working the internet bubble. I was used to caffeine on the move and the constant opportunity to have tall warm milky ‘comfort’ drinks with even a cup holder so my hands would not get scolded. The reality in Berlin at that time was sipping overly frothy Latte Machiatos while sitting in a slow service cafe…no takeaway. I said to my wife that it would be a great idea to introduce a takeaway coffee (kind of like a less evil version of Starbucks) chain, and that somebody would and be successful. Forward-wind to now and we have Balzac dotted all over Germany and with a heavy presence in Berlin, Balzac is basically Starbucks with a more Euro friendly name. As you can probably tell I have mixed feelings…on one level it’s great to get coffee on the go here but also a bit sad to see German clone syndrome in action. Maybe they could have kept some German things in the translation of US coffee house formula, maybe the nice cakes and doughnuts you get here or coffee with a European in the best sense (more cafe Nero) London)…don’t throw the baby out with the bath water perhaps. Still Balzac has some good points, for one the service which for Berlin is a very good and even a smile. Now service in Berlin, well that’s another story…

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