Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Not your sausage-in-acan Vienna
If you think that’s not heavy enough, you could also begin the day with a bigger buzz and order another of Vienna’s signature coffees, the Kaffee Maria Theresa (about $8.50), a concoction of espresso with orange liqueur and whipped cream cream. A poin point of pride is that Vienna Vienna’s coffee houses allow guests to sit for hou hours, for writing, co conversation an and reading the ne newspaper, so wa waiters bring a gla glass of water with any order as an extra welco welcome. Keep the buzz going with lunch in the Kunst-Cafe, part of the Hundertwasser House. Architect, artist and visionary Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) believed that the straight line was an abomination and so created fanciful buildings with curvy floors and windows, trees growing out of the roof, and playful tiled walls.
The cafe, with uneven floors and an array of Hundertwasserinspired posters and art for sale, is next to a private apartment building designed by him and not far from Museum Hundertwasser. Watch a film about the man’s life while enjoying a light lunch of salad or pizza. Get creative when you sign the guest book with the markers provided – the opportunity brings out some visitors’ inner artist. But don’t skip the apfelstrudel, l, Vienna’s classic dessert. sert. The apple strudel, a pastry surrounded by chunks ks of apple, is served warm with ith vanilla ill cream sauce. Pair it with the cafe’s excellent coffee.
Gaumenspiel, in the Neubau neighbourhood not far from the museum quarter, takes diners past traditional fare with an innovative menu that changes seasonally but could include warm potato truffle salad, oxtail tacos, and a gin-and-
tonic dessert made of lime mousse and d cucumber b i ice cream. In warm weather, guests may sit in the garden, although the red-walled interior is also welcoming. The set menu for non-vegetarians is about $52, with a wine pairing for about $28, and for vegetarians, there’s a $44 option that includes melonpepper gazpacho and polenta. – Washington Post