Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Sturmi -- Yes, we will definitely return to Vienna, and perhaps make it our FIRST stop next time.

Kukubura -- No, we did not dine in the evening in any other restaurants. We had 4 nights in each of Prague, Budapest and Vienna, which I listed above. We also had 2 nights in Paris at the front end. The first night we dined at L'Atelier Maitre Albert, which was both delicious and charming. As an added bonus, the view after dinner was unforgettable. As we stepped outside the restaurant, we found ourselves right on the Seine across from Notre Dame. Beautiful at night! We were reserved the next night at Fontaine de Mars, but as I said above, we ate so much during our foodie tour that we couldn't even think of an 8:00 p.m. dinner reservation. That's why we ended up about 11:00 p.m. at the lounge at our hotel, which was excellent. We did stop at casual spots a number of days during our sightseeing, but I'd have to look at my photos (which I'm drowning in right now as I "photoshop") to get the names. All I can say is that we really enjoyed most of the places we ate at throughout our trip, and I'd do it all over again in a second given the chance.

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Hi, Kukubura and everyone else who may be interested --

Thanks for remembering me. It's been months since you helped me plan our culinary adventures. I've been meaning to recap our foodie experiences, but I haven't been feeling well since we returned from Europe on September 25. Nothing serious, but will take some time to convalesce, and that's why I haven't updated yet. In summary, we had some great times!

In Paris, we took a fabulous private gastronomy tour with Muguet of Paris Sweet Paris. Our tastes included savories such as oils, vinegars, salamis, cheeses, and patisseries as well. Needless to say, we cancelled our dinner reservation that night because we were still stuffed, and instead, grabbed a late snack in the lounge at our hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel George V. Muguet is wonderful! She is extremely smart, very knowledgeable about foods and Paris, and she showed us a wonderful time. She is actually Iranian, but has lived much of her life in France. Her English is perfect. A friend of ours, who is a real foodie and a fabulous cook, recommended Muguet's tour, and we are very happy that she did.

In Prague, we settled on the following restaurants:

U Modre Kachnicky I (loved the duck and the restaurant was so beautiful!)

Coda Restaurant at the Hotel Aria ( food was fabulous, and the view of the city from the rooftop dining venue was magical -- a real winner!)

V Zatisi -- again a winner! Food was delicious!

Aquarius at the Alychmist Grand Hotel Spa -- also exceptional

I'm sorry I can't recall what I ate at each place, but I have only fond memories of all.

In Budapest, we decided to dine at the following restaurants:

Tigris -- we really loved this place, it was very comfortable and easy-going. The staff were very helpful with the menu and very friendly as well. It was a great spot for our first night, just around the corner from our hotel.

Rezkakas Restaurant -- This place is so much fun! There was a 3-piece orchestra just feet from our table entertaining us with lively music and singing throughout our meal. I didn't expect too much with the food since many restaurants that provide entertainment during the meal are often not the best food. However, we were pleasantly surprised. Was it absolutely the finest food I've experienced in Europe? No, but it was very good and the entertainment was priceless. The entertainment provided a very special evening, and it should be noted that the music was always kept at a level that did not intrude on our dining experience. For anyone that goes to Rezkakas, I recommend requesting to sit in the room where the music is located. We were staying at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (which was beyond gorgeous), and I asked the Concierge to make our dining reservations for us before we left LA. The Concierge requested the room with the musicians, and I'm really happy that he did!

Fausto's Restaurant -- The food was very good, and it was nice to get Italian food for a change.

Vadrozsa -- Beyond fabulous!!! One of my favorite restaurants of the entire trip. If you are staying in Buda, then you will definitely need to cab it because Vadrozsa is in Pest. It is a beautiful restaurant, spectacular service, incredible food. But be advised, it's not cheap. Fortunately, the USD goes a long way against Hungarian currency, but it is still pricey. It is on a par with dining in a most exclusive restaurant in any large city. Because of the cost and the location that requires transportation, Vadrozsa was not crowded at all. The dining room is not too large, but there were only 4 tables taken, including ours. All the better for the best service! If you want a special memorable evening, then Vadrozsa is the place! It is definitely a "special occasion" meal.

Vienna was more challenging for us, but that's mainly because Austrian cuisine isn't our favorite.
We happen to love duck, lamb and foie gras, both of which we found in abundance in Prague and Budapest, but not to be found as much to our liking in Vienna. That being said, we still found some excellent meals in Vienna.

Restaurant Korso and Sacher Rote Bar -- Both of these restaurants were very good and very convenient to the music venues that we went to on two nights following dinner. We went to Restaurant Korso prior to the Musikverein. We absolutely loved the Musikverein. The chamber orchestra played Mozart and Strauss, the musicians were all dressed in period piece, and we really loved it. The next night, we went to Sacher Rote Bar prior to the Opera (Don Giovanni), which was equally spectacular to the Musikverein. The food at both restaurants was quite good, the service just okay (not very friendly), and the performances at both music venues spectacular.

Fabio's -- Good Italian food, but it wasn't my favorite restaurant. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the ambience. The restaurant had a very modern hip vibe that left me feeling cold. The waiter was extremely friendly and attentive, however.

Arner Frankziskanerplatz -- This was our favorite restaurant in Vienna, but I think it's because we were able to get a good "American-style" steak. The food was excellent, and it was so great to get a plain old steak after two weeks of intensive gourmet food!

I don't want it to seem like we didn't care for the food in Vienna. It was really quite good (especially the Sacher Torte, of course!), but it was just more challenging for us to find familiar items that we wanted to order. I think, also, that our challenges may have been due to the fact, in part, that Vienna was the last city on our trip. We had already dined for two weeks in Paris, Prague and Budapest. Perhaps if Vienna had been our first stop, we would have better received the food. After two weeks of rich and heavy foods, however, I think we were just ready to return home to a lighter diet dining on my healthy home cooking. In addition, I started not feeling well our last two days in Vienna, and that, of course, could have affected my appetite as well.

All in all, our meals were wonderful. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer my many questions and lend me your guidance. The best news of all: When we got on the scale at home, both my husband and I lost weight! Who goes on a vacation and loses weight?!!! It was a huge surprise, but I attribute it to the many, many miles of walking that we did sightseeing in 4 of the most beautiful cities we've ever seen. Thanks again, everyone, for helping to make our European Adventure so special!

MalibuCA in Europe

Gluten-Free Substitute for Flour and Breadcrumb Coating on Chicken Breasts

Thanks!

MalibuCA in Home Cooking

Gluten-Free Substitute for Flour and Breadcrumb Coating on Chicken Breasts

Thank you, Everyone, for all of the great suggestions! Do I use these gluten-free products in the same measurements and quantities that the recipe calls for, or do I use more or less of the G-F flour product and/or breadcrumb product?

MalibuCA in Home Cooking

Gluten-Free Substitute for Flour and Breadcrumb Coating on Chicken Breasts

I am new to gluten-free cooking, and I really appreciate the help here on Chowhound! I have a dynamite "gluten" recipe for Parmesan Crumbed Chicken, which uses traditional flour and breadcrumbs to coat the chicken breasts after dipping them in an egg mixture. My daughter recently learned that she must eat gluten-free, and I am trying to determine what I can use as a substitute for the flour and the breadcrumbs. The recipe steps are as follows: Spread the chicken with Dijon mustard. Dredge the chicken in flour, dip the chicken in the egg mixture (just egg and water), and then roll the chicken in a mixture made from 1-1/4 c. breadcrumbs and 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese. Please recommend what I might use in place of the flour and the breadcrumbs and specify amounts of the gluten-free products if they differ from the amounts for the flour and breadcrumbs that are called for in the original gluten version of the recipe. I have read postings here about substituting breadcrumbs in meatballs for binding purposes, but I am trying to use the breadcrumbs to form a crispy crust around the chicken, not as a binding agent. Any advice is most appreciated! Thanks!

MalibuCA in Home Cooking

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Budapest

Thanks so much for your informative reply. It sounds like you had a amazing foodie experience in Budapest. I can't wait to go!

MalibuCA in Europe

Vienna, Vienna, Vienna...

Thanks. I guess I'll have to save it for next time we visit Vienna!

MalibuCA in Europe

Vienna, Vienna, Vienna...

Thank you, Sturmi, for your frank honesty! I so appreciate your insights! I will definitely look into the Hotel Imperial restaurant -- we are staying at the Hotel Imperial, and that certainly makes it easy. I will check out the other restaurants you recommend as well. I read somewhere that the chef at Korso had left to open another restaurant, but I can't recall the name of the new restaurant. Do you happen to know the name, and would you recommend it? I questioned Korso when I saw their chef had left, but the Hotel Imperial Concierge recommended it so I thought it still would be something special. Perhaps the Concierge's list simply hadn't been updated. If you know anything about Korso's ex-chef and where he is, please let me know.

Thanks again for your fantastic help!

MalibuCA in Europe

Vienna, Vienna, Vienna...

Hi, Sturmi (and all other Chowhound foodies knowledgeable on Vienna) --

Happy Birthday, Sturmi! Have you had a chance yet to dine at Le Loft to celebrate? How did you like it? Was your experience similar to that of "esharpest?" I would appreciate details, if possible.

We have currently decided on the following restaurants when we visit Vienna in September:

1) Korso bei der Oper (pre-Musikverein)
2) Sacher Rote Bar (pre-Staatsoper)
3) Artner Franziskanerplatz
4) We are trying to decide between Le Loft and Fabio's. I know that they are very different, but if you (or any other Chowhound foodies) could lend some guidance on our final decision, I would appreciate it. It will probably be our last dinner, not only in Vienna, but in Europe before returning to the USA, so I want it special!

Looking forward to hearing your advice!

Thanks!

MalibuCA in Europe

Comme Chez Soi in Budapest -- Has Anyone Been There?

Through our search of fine dining in Budapest, we came across Comme Chez Soi. Unable to locate this restaurant on either Zagat or Gayot, and being that Comme Chez Soi does not have a website, it's been difficult obtaining information about their menu. I have found that it is the #1 Budapest restaurant on Tripadvisor, that it's very small, friendly service, but I have not been able to learn more than that. Has anyone been there? Could you enlighten me as to what specifically is on the menu? Would you consider Comme Chez Soi as "fine" dining, or more local neighborhood restaurant?

We are also considering dining at:

1. Rezkakas (I know, touristy, but food sounds great and atmosphere fun)
2. Vadrozsa (which I discovered through these boards on Chowhound -- thank you!)
3. Nobu (I know, sushi in Budapest? We do love Nobu, and we will definitely be sampling Hungarian food elsewhere)
4. Cyrano
5. Tigres

We have narrowed these down from a very long list. We have only 4 nights in Budapest (thus, 4 dinners). If you can comment on Comme Chez Soi as well as the 5 restaurants that I have listed above, it is most appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Budapest

Thank you for your reply. That is so nice of you to take time from your exciting vacation to reply to my inquiry! I will definitely check Pomodoro. I do not think it strange at all to eat Italian in Budapest. We love good Italian, and I don't think it matters where in the world you are if you can find an "over the top" Italian restaurant, which sounds like you have found. Besides, as much as we want to sample Hungarian food, it is nice to experience a variety of menus. Thanks again so much, and have a great time in Budapest. I can't wait until we get there. Are you visiting any other cities where you have found exceptional restaurants that you would like to recommend? We are also traveling to Paris, Prague and Vienna as well as Budapest.

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Budapest

Thanks. It looks yummy! I'm going to try the recipe at home!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Budapest

Thanks for your reply. I'm a little confused, however. I get that it's a soup, but is it made with meat? potatoes? Paprika, of course, but what else is in the preparation?

Thanks for helping me figure this all out.

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Budapest

Thank you for your very complete reply. It's just packed with great information and suggestions. In particular, I'm very intrigued by Cafe Bouchon. We definitely are interested in experiencing both the spirit, culture and food of Budapest!

Forgive my ignorance as I am just beginning my research, but could you please describe gulas soup for me? We are huge soup lovers -- in fact, I'm preparing Hungarian Mushroom Soup for our dinner tonight! Also, if there are other exemplary Hungarian dishes that we dare not miss, please tell me what they are with a brief description. We are very excited about our visit to Budapest not just for the beauty, history, culture and food of Hungary, but also because my father-in-law's ancestors are from Hungary. I expect our visit to be very, very special.

Thanks for your help. It's most appreciated.

MalibuCA in Europe

Vienna after opera/PRAGUE

Oops! Sasicka, I'm so sorry. I saw this posting about the opera and wanted to post my question, but I didn't realize it was for Prague. My mistake! We are trying to get tickets for the Staatsoper in Vienna, and I meant my inquiry to be for Opera in Vienna. So sorry. I loved all of your information, however, and I will consider these venues for dinners (without opera) during my visit in Prague. Thanks for the very complete reply.

MalibuCA in Europe

Vienna after opera/PRAGUE

Thanks, Sturmi. I knew you'd have the answer!

MalibuCA in Europe

Vienna after opera/PRAGUE

We just submitted our request for opera tickets at the Staatsoper, and I sure hope we get them. Do you know what time the opera begins? We are trying to see the September 22, 2011 evening performance, and I have no idea what time we should be making a dinner reservation after the show. Or, in the alternative, if the opera begins at 8:00 p.m., like it does here in Los Angeles, we may want to have dinner before the performance.

Any information you can provide about start and end times of Don Giovanni on September 22 as well as the time to request a dinner reservation is very much appreciated. We searched the Staatsoper website for this informantion when we ordered the tickets, but perhaps we were not looking in the correct spot.

Thanks for the help!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Prague

Thanks again! I can't wait to get there!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Kukubura -- Thanks for the response on communicating in English -- it's very reassuring and good to know.

You definitely have my attention, and I really am interested in experiencing the local foodie culture -- not just the "upscale" venues. I addressed my posting that way because I was cautious about getting recommendations for the best experiences. I'm fairly new on Chowhound, and I'm learning as I go. Please tell me more about your suggestions. What is a beisl? I'm already planning on grabbing food at the Naschmarkt -- it sounds like a lot of fun. Also, what is a Czech pivovar in Prague? What is a langos at the market hall in Budapest? We are definitely going to the market hall -- my husband LOVES pickles, and when I read that they have a fabulous pickle selection, I didn't have to say anymore to convince him that we are going there! Please enlighten me on some of your suggestions. You've got my attention and definitely my curiousity! Thanks

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Actually I visited Vienna with my parents when I was 15 years old -- trust me, that was a looooong time ago! I do remember it's beauty and sophistication, and that's why I'm returning (with my husband this time!) Do many people speak English? Will it be possible for me to communicate that I'm lost and where I'm trying to go? Do the public transportation drivers speak English? How I wish I was multi-lingual!!!!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Wow! That's scary! I guess I better keep my map in hand at all times! Thanks

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Thanks for your replies.

Sturmi -- Are the taxis familiar with the location? Can you foresee a problem for us getting lost if we take a taxi from the hotel to the restaurant and ask the restaurant to call a taxi for us to return to the hotel?

Thanks!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

Thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out, and I'd love to read the NY Times review. Do you happen to recall when it was published?

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Prague

Thanks, seasicka, for your frank and insightful recommendations. I will definitely pursue your suggestions. My only regret is that I have only 4 nights in Prague. There seem to be so many wonderful choices! Thanks for the help!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Prague

Thanks for the helpful reply. I will definitely check that out.

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Vienna

My husband and I will be staying at the Hotel Imperial for 4 nights. We need restaurant recommendations for very special, memorable dinners. We are looking for great food, a gourmet experience, fabulous service, and beautiful ambience. Thus far, we are considering the Imperial at our hotel and Steirereck, Walter Bauer and Anna Sacher. I have not been able to find sample menus for Steirereck, Walter Bauer and Anna Sacher, and without some idea of what is offered on the menu, I'm a little apprehensive about dining there. Please describe the menu and ingredients at these 3 restaurants, if possible. In addition to commenting on all of the restaurants I have listed, please recommend others that you think we should not miss. When making your recommendations, however, please keep in mind that we are American and are seeking straightforward, not too exotic, ingredients and preparations.

Thanks for the help!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Budapest

My husband and I will be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace for 4 nights. We need restaurant recommendations for very special, memorable dinners. We are looking for great food, a gourmet experience, fabulous service and beautiful ambience. Thus far, we are considering Vadrozsa and possibly Fausto's and Onyx, and of course, Gresham Restaurant at our hotel. Please comment on each of these, and please recommend others that you think we should not miss. When making your recommendations, however, please keep in mind that we are American and are seeking straightforward, not too exotic, ingredients and preparations.

Thanks for the help!

MalibuCA in Europe

Need Upscale Dinner Recommendations for Prague

My husband and I will be staying at the Four Seasons Prague for 4 nights in September. We need restaurant recommendations for very special, memorable dinners. We are looking for great food, a gourmet experience, fabulous service and beautiful ambience. Thus far, we are considering V Zatisti and U Modre Ruze. Also Allegro at the Four Seasons and Essencia at the Mandarin Oriental. Please comment on each of these, and please recommend others that you think we should not miss. When making your recommendations, however, please keep in mind that we are American and are seeking straightforward, not too exotic, ingredients or preparations.

Thanks for the help!

MalibuCA in Europe

Casual Dinner with GREAT food after visiting the Museum of Fine Arts

My husband and I will be cruising from Montreal to New York in October, and we have 2 nights in Boston. We need a restaurant where we can dress casually (i.e., jeans and a nice sweater) because we will be dining after a full day of sightseeing. We will look very nice, but I won't be returning to the ship for my "stilettos" before dinner. I have one reservation already at Taranta for the day that we will be on the Freedom Trail and in the North End. The other day we will be winding up our day at the Museum of Fine Arts. I am guessing that we would want to eat somewhere near the Boston Commons, South End or Back Bay? We like Italian (which would be Taranta), French, American, steakhouses, seafood -- but not too eclectic. We are simply looking for great food and a great experience, just not dressy clothes. What are your recommendations? Thanks for the help!

MalibuCA in Greater Boston Area