Sushi fest continued

Unkai - Yet another post about sushi? You might ask yourself if this is indeed a blog about Vienna. But I assure you it is, and the beauty of Vienna is it comes with a bit of a cosmopolitan air. Just think of Naschmarkt, which is a mini world of sensory and cultural abundance in its own right. And then there is sushi. Viennese have a penchant for foreign cuisine and despite its geographic drawbacks as a landlocked place, Vienna does boast a handful of "haute" sushi eateries. The epitome of which is reputed to be Unkai, the famous Japanese restaurant on the top floor of the prestigious Ana Grand Hotel.
Upon entering the restaurant floor, the interior design vies with the restaurant's view for diners' attention, but the winner remains the food nonetheless.


At 30€ per person the sushi brunch is not exactly budget fare, but if you arrive starved (for sushi and maki), you will have the time of your life, sampling your way through various standard and not so standard types of fish, scallops and other seafood beautifully assembled and presented. In addition to the all-you-can-eat sushi and maki, the brunch comes with a delicious miso soup (one of the best I have ever had), a small appetizer and a cup of green tea.
The service is superb, as is the quality and assortment of sushi and maki.
Although this may be more of an occasional treat, sushi brunch at Unkai is definitely worth your money.
Kärntner Ring 9
1010 Vienna
phone: 01 515 80 - 9110

Vegetarian's delight

Vegetasia - I recently rediscovered this great little Taiwanese vegetarian/vegan restaurant. Not only is it a glutton's paradise, tempting with an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for 6.80€, but the place is sleek and stylish. Other pros include:  it is non-smoking, they use no MSG and the staff is super friendly.
Not surprisingly, it's popular for lunch and reserving ahead is not a bad idea. The food is delicious and well presented. In addition to a variety of vegetable dishes, they also serve tofu and soy-based fake meat. The buffet offers such a great selection of starters, soups, salads, noodle, rice and vegetarian dishes, as well as desserts that I never know where to start  - or stop for that matter.

They operate in two locations, although I have only been to the one in the third district.
Vegetasia definitely offers one of the best values for vegetarians in the city.

Ungargasse 57, 1030 Vienna, 01 713 8 33 2
Kaiserstrasse 45, 1070 Vienna, 01 523 10 91

Bio Bar von antun

This adorable little non-smoking restaurant is tucked away down in a small side street off Judenplatz in the first district. The food is fresh and well presented and the drinks menu reveals a nice selection of non-alcoholic fruit cocktails.

Reinvented traditional Austrian fare vies with ethnic dishes for diners' attention against the charming backdrop of this downtown restaurant. Prices are reasonable and the lunch specials with a soup/starter and an entree are a good value.

Drahtgasse 3, 1010 Vienna, phone: 01 968 93 51