retiredmartin

May 2023.

Only one whole day in Tallinn, not enough to even scratch the surface of Duncan’s craft beer guide,

but we did make a decent attempt at seeing the many and varied quarters of the city itself.

The old town (the brown bit below), the stately eastern streets leading to the palace of Catherine the Great, the promenade and dock with paltry beach and cheap booze for the Finns, a staggering numbering of breweries to the west, and a frankly wonderful modern quarter where all the IT professionals eat 3 euro buns and drink 10 euro sours.

This was Rottermani, directly east of the town walls,

The Rotermann Quarter has a touch of Manchester’s Cutting Room, or the revamped Battersea Power Station, and was one of the most futuristic developments I’ve seen anywhere.

Genuinely disorienting to try and walk through, completely lacking in uniformity, and with surprises at every turn.

No, Mrs RM didn’t say “Have they stole those from Easter Island ?”

or

“Can I have a go on the swing ?”.

The big draw here (and it’s not really a touristy area) is the smell of cardamom buns at ROST.

It’s worth getting a £20 flight to Tallinn just to gorge on those.

I felt a slight tinge of disappointment that the main bar seemed to be Brew Dog, but pleasingly it seemed to be determinedly shut anyway.

Though to be honest, those opening hours and kitchen hours make no sense. Perhaps it’s a micro Brew Dog.

Drink in the west, come here to see modern housing design at its best.

And feel glad that the giant artworks aren’t adverts like they are in Ancoats.

Yet.