Restaurants

Orly Kritzman’s Austrian brasserie certainly looks the part with its globe lights, white tablecloths and tiers of cakes in the window. The kitchen produces iconic specialities of the Wiener Küche such as veal schnitzel, rostbraten (steak, served with chips and paprika-fried onions) and spätzle (gnocchi-like pasta) using well-sourced British ingredients. Tasty pork chop from Denham Estate came with black pudding, roast apple, red cabbage and the so-called ‘napkin dumpling’ (a dumpling of steamed semolina). You could start with a platter of smoked and cured salmon (from Forman’s in Hackney Wick) or baby beetroots dipped in Stiegel beer batter and served with horseradish cream. Come earlier in the day for cheesecake, poppy-seed cake, sachertorte and, of course, apple strudel – all made in-house. The range of rich hot chocolates and flavoured coffees does the Viennese tradition justice. There’s also a varied selection of well-made Austrian wines and schnapps, and Austrian beers. A charming place to meet.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009