Vienna's tropical secret

Palmenhaus - In keeping with the theme of fine dining I recently revisited a summertime favorite of mine. This resto/bar/café with a view of the Burggarten draws a large crowd when the days get warmer, but I have now discovered its indoor charms too.

Imagine sipping a glass of wine selected from the epic wine list, all the while being surrounded by palm trees. Ok this may seem a bit preposterous in a place like Vienna, where you are more likely to find yourself drinking hot gluhwein against a backdrop of winter wonderland these days. But with a little imagination, you could make yourself believe you have just stepped into a lush tropical locale.
Beckoning with its befitting name, the Palmenhaus offers artfully composed dishes that will leave both an impression on your palate and your other senses.

I tried the seasonally inspired pumpkin ragout, which was as divine as it promised to be, and topped it off with some delicious chestnut mousse.

Portions are generous without being overwhelming and the verdant setting evokes dreams of remote island getaways. The decor is tasteful without distracting from the dining experience.
To round out your tropical escape, you could also explore the Schmetterlingshaus (butterfly house) next door, where colorful butterflies fly around in a balmy indoor environment flanked by lush vegetation.
Burggarten 1, 1010 Vienna,  01 533 10 33

The Owl's Nest

As a follow-up to the previous post on Austrian wines, I will let you in on a secret named Eulennest (owl's nest) tucked away in a charming backstreet of Vienna's old town.

This quaint wine bar is a local's favorite and owners Florian and Andrea count many regulars among their patrons. Always extending a warm welcome, Florian is happy to recommend a grape variety for every taste, even for the wine savvy. The well selected list of local wines is best paired and enjoyed with Italian-style antipasti or light pasta dishes. Food is however not the main attraction here, but rather the 'side dish' that creates an enjoyable backdrop without taking away from the experience of the wine.

This hidden gem in the heart of Vienna is sure to win you over with its cozy ambience that seeks to rival the warmth that the owners extend towards their guests.

Himmelpfortgasse 13 , 1010 Vienna, Phone: 01 513 53 11 
(and now also in the 4th district at: Operngasse 30, 1040 Vienna, Phone: 01 890 22 72 

It's all about the wine

With a history rivaling that of many other major wine-producing countries and dating as far back as 4000 years, one would think that a wine aficionado such as myself would have been more familiar with the various locally grown grapes and wine varieties available in Austria. I must admit however that I was not by any stretch of the imagination. Perhaps it was because I had become somewhat of a wine snob over the years, dabbling here and there in Chilean, South African and Australian wines, among others, only to return time and again to my beloved Italian, French and Californian favorites. So when I came to Vienna two weeks ago and was called upon to review a number of Austrian wines, I was tickled pink by the prospect. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the wines I encountered. The following reflects a small sampling:

K + K Cuvée 2007 (Mittelburgenland):
I found this combination of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch grapes to be surprisingly robust, almost excessively so when consumed alone, but when accompanied by some freshly sliced salami and prosciutto, the intense berry undertones are balanced out nicely.

Weingut Stift Göttweig Riesling Silberbichl 2009 (Kremstal):
This particular Riesling features just the right balance of dry fruitiness for my taste. With its subtle, crisp undertones, it can be well paired with prawns, shellfish or a light, cream-based pasta dish.

Lenz Moser Prestige Beerenauslese 2007 (Burgenland):
With its rich flaxen color, this Prädikatswein has been appropriately labeled as "liquid gold". Although I found it to be a bit too saccharine for my personal preference, those who like sweet wines will find this one to be suitable for enjoying with desserts and cheese courses.

Familie Weiss St. Laurent Classic 2009 (Neusiedlersee Burgenland):
Of all the Austrian wines I had the pleasure of tasting, this was by far my overall favorite. Unlike the other St. Laurent varieties I sampled, I found this one to be rich and flavorful on the palate without being overly intrusive. Easily dressed up or down, this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif or accompanied by an array of antipasti or even a full meal.


Guest post by Julie Draper-Duruz