Vienna Black Book: To the Brunch Table...

When the weekend hits and the mornings are slow, the number one question I get is "where should we go for brunch?".  Now, when winter days are rainy and dreary, the answer to that is to go to anyone of Vienna's grand cafe's.  Make yourself comfortable since you'll be there for awhile -  first for coffee and eggs, then to read the paper, then for a light lunch, then do read your mail and magazines and then to wrap up with a final coffee.  That's how the Viennese do it so I suggest a try - before you know it, the afternoon has long gone.

But if you're in more of a US style brunch mood, these have become our favorite places for their lighter atmosphere and great food:

1.  Motto Am Fluss - you've heard me wax poetic about this place before but the bottom line is that it's one of our favorites.  By far the best croissants in town, and dishes that range from traditional eggs, to the best burger in town, to my recent favorite for the waistline, the "Light Haus" (poached eggs, spinach, cottage cheese, avocado and vegetables).  A DJ spins variations on songs you already know and huge windows let in lots of light of the Danube Canal.  Check downstairs for their take-away bakery.

2.  Orlando di Castello - also a favorite on our hit list, this place is just fun, with their all white decor, cherry printed wall paper and antropologie-like platter coat hangers.  The staff can be flighty but food always delivers - the caesar salad or toast soldiers are usual favorites.   Croissants and pastries are highlights here, and you can also check out their bakery in the 19th.  Closed on Sundays.

3.  Le Bol - During our first year here, there wasn't a weekend where you couldn't find us here, though now our horizons have broadened somewhat.  One of the only places in Vienna with a legit salad menu (tougher to find than you would think), and great french inspired cafe dishes.  Try out the communal table Le Pain Quotidien style on a rainy day but in the sunshine, beeline for the terrace which literally doubles their surface area, since it can get a bit stuffy inside.