Welcome to Cologne!

Cologne at night

For the next 8 days I'll call Excelsior Hotel Ernst home.  Its a "classic luxury" property. It actually reminds me a lot of the hotel we stayed in Bilboa last September, Hotel Lopez de Haro.

The Bridge of Locks

Crossing the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne this morning on my way to the trade fair, DMEXCO, I witnessed a photographic site: The Love Locks. Million of padlocks affixed to the fence that separates the rail bridge from the pedestrian walk way.  Love the concept: engrave, paint, etch your name + your lover's name on the lock, lock it to the fence, toss the key in the Rhine River below and you're detained for eternal love. Ummm...maybe I should try that!

Locks of Love in Cologne

Cologne. A culinary adventure?

Currywurst.

I must say the first few meals I've had here have been great.  Even the currywurst food truck in the DMEXCO parking lot was a culinary delight!  My first time eating currywurst and I can't wait to try it again.

Dinner at the one Michelin Star, Taku, was one of the best meals I've ever had...and it was Asian Fusion...whoa!

I was throughly impressed with the sleek wooden/very Japanese architecture.  As you enter the restaurant you walk along an aquamarine-colored piece of glass that resembles a river...and the steps down, resemble a waterfall. Very cool. The food was great, the drinks were great...until I saw the Fetzer Wine for 41 Euros on the "Preferred USA Red Wines" List...ugh. Really...that's THE "American Preferred Red"?

On my list still is the Two Star Michelin, La Vison.  And I was told by the concierge I must experience a BrewHouse....