Eating & Drinking #3

      I must devote an entire blog to my absolute favorite -- DESSERT! As a lover of sweets, I proclaimed that I have not only "one" sweet tooth, but sweet teeth. Vienna coffee houses are legendary and are an integral part of Viennese life. There are the traditonal coffee houses as well as Konditoreien, which are cake shops (e.g. Aida, the pink and brown color scheme scream "1950 retro!", there's one in Stephansplatz). 

     Although my professor asserts that we must visit Cafe Central (the place is rich with history and great literary and artistic talents used to congregate her to discuss politics, literature, arts, etc.), I find the place rather snobby. Compared to other coffee houses, this place is expensive. Advice: buy a cup of regular coffee, soak in the ambience, and make it a "done once it's done" deal. 

     
Must-Visit(s): 

• Cafe Sacher: The cafe is a tourist-must-visit because of its famous Sacher Torte. Created in 1832 by owner Franz Sacher, the chocolate cake is topped with chocolate shavings and has two layers of aromatic apricot jam. Personally, I think there's liquor added to the cake. The alcohol draws out the sweetness and richness of the cake; thus creating a lingering, unforgettable taste. 

• Demel: The lively konditorei is always filled with crowds because the it used to provide sweets for the Habsburg rulers. The most acclaimed is the Ana Demel Torte. This cake is composed of six layers of decadently rich chocoalte and nougat (three layers each)!

• Cafe Sperl: I discovered this quaint cafe accidentally... I remembered that it was raining that day... I was by myself, loitering around MQ area with nothing specific in mind when I stumbled upon this gorgeous Jegendstil coffee house. The atmosphere was quiescent; there was no rush in ordering the coffee. Instead, people read the paper, played pool, and drank their coffees as if they had all the time in the world... (below: Cafe Sperl, apple strudel, and plum cake).

 

• Cafe Hawelk: Hidden away in the alley, the hard-to-find Cafe Hawelk charms visitors with its unpretentious and relaxing atmosphere. The place offers only one type of coffee, house, and one type of cake (although the cake varies, but you just have to try your luck) daily. Nonetheless, it attracts the gamut of Viennese society, including artists and writers. 

Eating & Drinking (#2)

     Drinking in Vienna is an exciting affair! The choices include: beer, wine, and coffee, each option is de-licious~ 

• Beer: Our favorite drinking spot is 7 Stern Brau, a local brewery. Some of the choices include: Hanf Bier (a golden, sweet lager that leaves a slight hemp-y taste), Chilli Bier (it's actually spcity! I tried it, out of curiosity, and... let's just say it was not the smartest idea), etc. My favorite is the Prager Dunkles. This dark malt beer is nice and smooth, with a hint of carmel and vanilla.  

• Wine: A beloved beverage, the Vienna has a seven sq km of vineyards within its borders. Huerigens, the equivalent of wine taverns, are quite accessible. Grinzing, having the largest concentration of heurigens, is rather touristy and the wine taverns that are on the main road offer kitsch music and performances. My friends and I tried both Passauerhof (tourist-oriented) and Zawodsky (secluded and more authentic). Both are great and offer a distinctive flair of their own. However, I do recommend taking the 15 minutes walk to Zawodsk. The place is rustic and simple. Surrounded by apple trees and vineyards, we downed a bottle of white wine with some cheese and cold meats. Although the meal was nothing fancy, it was lovely to sip wine, chat with friends, and just enjoy the breeze.