The Orangerie (Spreewald)
We spent a lazy afternoon drifting though the Spreewald waterways, shading our eyes from the sun, peering at the rare fauna and flora, giggling at the women dressed in Traditional Sorbian Clothing hawking their pickles and other local delicacies Indian-train-station style from the banks: living in Berlin, one sees little of such kitsch. Feeling a bit dazed by the unusual warmth, lulled into contemplative peace, we made our way from the harbour to the Orangerie beckoning from the opposite shore. The broad dappled lawn was sprinkled with tables, and when we seated ourselves at one and received the menu it did not take long to select the Hefeplins, or yeast pancakes filled with apple sauce. They were perfect: pillowy, not oversweet, and filling enough to fortify us for the twenty-minute walk to the train station followed by the hour-long train ride from Lübbenau back to Berlin Alexanderplatz.
While eating, we listened to the Sorbian-German band playing traditional music from both cultures, one of the men pumping away at bagpipes recognisably made from a goat. Beyond the band, a few children occupied themselves with the playground, kited out with a complex series of levers and water pumps. For wet days, the pale yellow interior is just as cheerful as their broad lawn.
The Orangerie is located conveniently next to Lübbenau's small harbour and as such before or after setting off along the Spreewald's waters. They offer lunch menu (which changes daily) for 12 EUR, along with a wide range of snacks, main courses, and tempting desserts.
The Orangerie
Schloßbezirk 4 (map)
03222 Lübbenau
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