More Vienna - The Steirereck am Pogusch

Actually, the restaurant we went to that evening is about 1 hour 20 minutes by car from Vienna. After putting all available seats in Pinki's Voyager, we -Pinki, Andrea, Gerhard, Brigitte, Orange-X and myself - left for the long awaited dinner at Steirereck am Pogusch. After an hour or so of highway, we had another 20 minutes or so of mountainy, winding roads that led us to our destination.

Some of you may have read TBF's complimenting comments about he Steierereck in Vienna, an we can only second his vote. We were greeted by the Chef de Service who accompanied us to our table. Now contrary to the restaurant in Vienna, which is very classy and almost demands a suit, the one in Turnau is a charming old inn in the woods. The food, however, was a feast for the eyes and the palate. The ladies in service wore the traditional dirndls and the men wore the Lederhosen (leather pants, also often seen in Bavaria). Here are a few pics of the restaurant.


There were a couple of things that really fascinated us there. Usually, one picks the wine from the wine card. Not here! Here, one goes to the wine cellar and chooses from the many bottles and wine regions. You pick out your white and then your red and bring it to the waiter to be opened and properly decanted. Yum yum! The choice was just amazing. Then, the restaurant also sells some of its specialties, so that you won't miss them once you've returned home. The regional and home-made products like their bread, lamb salami, preserves, sauces, honey, etc. are presented on a table with much attention to detail.

So we sipped on our aperitive and examined the menus while picking at the best Wurzelspeck (a lard that's been smoked and dried) I've ever had! A waiter took our orders and look at just a few of the goodies he brought. I had to be quick with the camera to get these pictures before everybody finished. Of course, I didn't want to eat cold either!

Another thing that fascinated me was one of the waiters, Mario. I can't help it but I have this affinity to gay men. No offence to to you heterosexual "real men" out there. But gays are funny, usually very witty, gallant, warm and those I have known, very intelligent. Plus, as a woman, you never have to worry about being groped. That's only my personal view and experience, but I'm sure that many women out there will agree with me. I must say that I am blessed with my darling (hetero) Orange-X. He's got all that too :)

What was in that wine!??! O-Oh. Look Orange-X grew an antler!


The deserts were also excellent. We ordered 3 for the six of us and it was more than enough. Pinki just couldn't decide where to start! The bowl in the middle is chocolate mousse for two. Believe me, after a dinner like that, we were glad that we didn't order more deserts.



Ah yes, I did say that a couple of things fascinated me in this restaurant. The other thing was the toilets. I don't want to know what you're thinking, just look at these pictures. Here's the men's' room (Before you ask: Orange took the pics)

The "pissoir": a glass plate over the stoned foundation of the Inn with a water fall running over it.



And the ladies': Women, stand up for your rights! "Nur lulu"= pee only.



And to end the evening, I just had to have a picture of my favorite waiter: Mario. Isn't he cute ??! (Yes, he is wearing make-up) Somehow, I'm looking forward to Michael's comments on this one ;)



And he took the final pictures. (from left to right: Andrea, Pinki, Orange-X, myself, Gerhard and Brigitte.

We had a wonderful evening and lot's of fun, great food and fabulous memories with new friends. Thanks to Gerhard, our designated driver, we got home safely and fell in a deep slumber. Steirereck, we'll be back. That's a promise!

Later this week, Pinki and Andrea's birthdays and New Year's eve party!

PS: TBF: As additional info, they have over 130 schnaps and about 75 cigars to offer. - Sorry for the cigar bit, Mrs. TBF!