Vienna Introduces New Restaurants for 2015 Restaurant Week

One of Austria’s best chefs launched his own restaurant in January 2015. Christian Petz, whose career highlights include cooking up a storm as chef de cuisine at the Meinl am Graben restaurant, helping the Palais Coburg Wien on its way to a Michelin star and providing the creative flair at Holy Moly on the Badeschiff pool boat, has now taken up the reins at the Gusshaus restaurant in the fourth district. Just a stone’s throw from Karlsplatz, it can accommodate up to 60 diners. Petz has pledged to only use ingredients that can be traced back to the producers in his new venture.

The latest restaurant set up by Figlmüller, one of the capital’s pre-eminent restaurateur dynasties, offers a contemporary yet comfortable home from home for fans of an authentic Viennese dining experience. Located on Lugeck, right in the heart of the old town, the new Figlmüller serves a blend of local staples and fresh interpretations of well-loved Austrian dishes. The restaurant sources its meat and vegetables from regional suppliers. Its wine comes from up-and-coming winegrowers and the beer from respected craft brewers. Designed by Viennese architect Gregor Eichinger, the interior brings traditional old-VienneseWirtshaus charm into the 21st century.

Two of Austria’s longest-running companies have joined forces, setting themselves up in the first district as a modern day equivalent to the purveyors to the imperial court of old. Gerstner K&K Hofzuckerbäckerei and Schlumberger Sekt opened a joint store at the start of December, comprising café, confectionery, shop and sparkling wine bar at the Palais Todesco on Kärntner Strasse. The ground floor is home to treats such as luxury truffles from Gerstner and exclusive tipples from Schlumberger, as well as accessories and personalized gifts. On the next floor, a lounge with its very own sparkling bar offers fantastic views of the Vienna State Opera House.

Around the corner, an old printworks in the Dominkanerbastei has made way for an exciting new arrival that offers a mix of deli, café and art and design store. Marco Simonis – Bastei 10 has the finer side of life covered, offering everything from cool design objects from Viennese porcelain makers Mano Design and culinary rarities from all four corners of the earth, to an impressive assortment of takeaway treats. These include delicious sandwiches, as well as salads, breakfasts, a separate lunch menu and fine wine.

Giving something back to the community is the watchword at Caritas project Magdas Kantine, a new restaurant at the Ankerbrotfabrik creative cluster. It is run by industry professionals working with a team of dedicated trainees, comprised of young people, refugees and jobseekers. Together they transform regional and season products into delicious dishes, drinks and other specialties. A group of galleries with a focus on contemporary art, studios, showrooms and social initiatives have taken up residence at the Ankerbrotfabrik, a former industrial bakery in the 10th district that dates back to the early part of the 20th century.

Vienna Restaurant Week: Feb 23–Mar 1, 2015 represents an excellent opportunity for foodies to survey the capital’s diverse restaurant scene. For six days, top restaurants all over the city will be offering fantastic set menus at affordable prices. Surprise menus cost EUR 14,50 Euro (two courses) at midday, rising to EUR 29,50 in the evenings (two courses). Venues with two or more Gault Millau toques charge an additional EUR 5 for lunch and EUR 10 for evening meals. Reservations can be made from February 9, 2015 onwards via www.restaurantwoche.wien.

• Restaurant Petz im Gusshaus, Gusshausstrasse 23, 1040 Vienna
• Lugeck, Lugeck 4, 1010 Vienna, www.lugeck.com
• K. u. K. Hoflieferanten, Gerstner & Schlumberger, Palais Todesco, Kärntner Strasse 51, 1010 Vienna, www.kuk-hoflieferanten.at
• Marco Simonis – Bastei 10, Dominikanerbastei 10, 1010 Vienna, www.marcosimonis.com
• Magdas Kantine, Absberggasse 27, 1100 Vienna, www.magdas-kantine.at
• Vienna Restaurant Week, Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015, registration opens Feb 9, 2015: www.restaurantwoche.wien