What a weird experience...
Christmas Eve, so made a reservation knowing that demand would be a challenge. Seated in the back, which has four tables total...and none of the festive music playing in the front area. Seating has character - clean and functional with eclectic pillows, but not refined, chic, or otherwise what I may expect from a French restaurant. Got it, it's a bistro.
Special holiday menu was on the chalkboard. We ordered drinks, which came in a reasonably timely manner. One server seemed to be managing the entire place, so we expected no expedience. The appetizers took a while: two different soups, one with tasty foie gras. My teenage son decided the mushroom soup was the best food ever!! Score. Pumpkin soup was good, not overly rich.
Next up would be the main course. Um. I think. We waited, and waited... I think they also had one chef who was overwhelmed, and we waited at least another hour before entrees arrived, 2 hours after our reservation time. I'm all for a leisurely dinner, but this was painful, especially after we ran out of wine.
Two of my crew had the Rindfleisch (steak), which was melt-in-your-mouth tender and served with a somewhat salty but flavorful sauce. The mushroom soup fan also greatly enjoyed his goose. My turkey turrine (kind of a pot pie) took an extra 10 mins or so, and was... well, acceptable. Not bad but let's just say that the value wasn't there - expensive for a simple comfort food. Side dishes: The rotkohl was good (not too sweet), potatoes tasty, and noodles present.
Didn't stay for dessert as my companions were all full and I didn't want to be there until 2am.
End notes:
- holiday may have been an anomaly, and they seemed to be short staffed
- Menu was decidedly Austrian (not French) and we heard Slavic languages spoken too. Don't go here expecting French food, though the sauces leaned toward French style.
- go only if you're not in any hurry whatsoever.
I would give it another try if in Salzburg, as the family loved the food and I was the only one disappointed. read more