+++ Advertisement: This post was created in cooperation with Culinarium Bavaricum and Weinviertel DAC. Thank you! +++
Österia | Weinviertel in your neighborhood | Restaurant number 6 of 14 As you know, I'm currently testing all 14 restaurants that are part of Munich's "Weinviertel in Your Neighborhood" campaign. I've now reached number 6, the Österia – not far from Nockherberg and Kolumbusplatz. (Here are the previous five articles:) Blue Buck, Halali, essence, Freisinger Hof, Bavarian National Museum (bnm)Before I go into detail, I'd like to address a request from some readers for some information about the Weinviertel region itself. Here's what I'd like to tell you about it. this website We highly recommend it. On this site you'll find everything about the Weinviertel region, its wine, cuisine, and much more.
The interior of the Österia
Restaurant Österia: History, ambience, wines
In this cozy restaurant with its antique parquet floors, soaring stucco ceilings, and numerous well-stocked wine racks, tables adorned with fresh flowers can accommodate 36 to a maximum of 60 people, depending on the seating arrangement and occasion. Red chairs, comfortable benches, portraits of Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) on the walls, and wine bottles as far as the eye can see complete the picture. In good weather, six additional tables for four guests along the facade offer space for 24 more to enjoy fine dishes and delicious wines. The wines at Österia come from a wide variety of Austrian wine regions. From the Vienna area, the Weinviertel (my personal focus), the Wachau, through Central Burgenland and the Kamptal, to Styria, Österia offers over 100 bottled wines and always more than ten wines by the glass.
The wine selection is so extensive that Österia offers a separate, multi-page wine list – divided into white wines (Grüner Veltliner, Weissburgunder, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Chardonnay, blends, Grauburgunder, Gelber Muskateller, Traminer), red wines (Blauer Zweigelt, blends, Blaufränkisch, Blauburger, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Blauer Protugieser, Merlot, Syrah), Schilcher, rosé, sweet wines, sparkling wines, and rare vintages. But don't panic if you're overwhelmed by the sheer number of wines and don't know what to order or which wine would pair best with your meal – the extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to help.
The owner of Österia is Nickel Fischer, a trained chef who worked for many years in Austrian restaurants in Munich. Since 1993, he has successfully run the wine shop "Ösiwein," located just around the corner from the restaurant, and in 2006, he added Österia. The team includes, among others, the top chef Elias Halletz (as I now know), the waiter Sandro Eichhorn, and the wine expert Markus Eichhorn. Markus and Sandro Eichhorn were on hand throughout the evening to offer advice and assistance, and because I enjoyed Österia so much during my visit, I peppered them with questions about wine, Austria, the cuisine, the origin of the ingredients, and so on. I now know, for example, that Österia offers a daily changing set menu (3 courses for €27.90, 5 courses for €46.90), with a recommended wine (0.1l or 1/16l) for each course. (Current menu available online on the website daily from approximately 4 pm).
The origin of each ingredient for all dishes – whether set menu or à la carte – is listed on the menu. For example, the legendary fried chicken, a Monday special, as well as meat, fish, and game come from the Polting estate in Lower Bavaria, the high-quality organic cheese from Irschenberger-Eck, and the eggs from happy hens in Bentenried. Transparency, both regarding the food and the wines, plays a major role at Österia.
Example daily menu with standard menu
Menu and food menu: selection and evaluation
Now let's talk about the food and my menu. I had a self-selected tasting menu to sample the Weinviertel wines. (Please note that for tasting purposes, I was served smaller portions to experience the variety of dishes and to be able to choose a suitable wine for each one. The regular portions – as seen at the next table – are very generous and, of course, much larger.) The set menu, from which I also sampled some dishes, changes daily, and you can also select individual courses if you only want to try one, two, or three.
First, I received a basket with two different types of fresh bread, along with the "3+3=9" offer from Österia, and two different wines from the Weinviertel region. "3+3=9" – available daily from 2 pm to 6 pm – includes three different "Magentratzerl" (small plates of food) and three glasses of wine to sample for a total of €9. It's an ideal offer for anyone wanting to get a taste of the diversity of Austrian wines. My "Tratzerl" were divided into three small bowls. There was asparagus salad made with white and green asparagus, accompanied by a glass of Grüner Veltliner Hühnergarten (from the Der Pollerhof winery); potato cheese with a glass of Grüner Veltliner 2 bar Druck (from the Martinshof winery); and "Verhackerts" (a type of spreadable pork) with a glass of Blaufränkisch Gerichtsberg (from the Norbert Bauer winery). With each of the three Weinviertel wines, I was given a brief explanation of the wine's history and the winemaker's philosophy. At Österia, great importance is placed on ensuring that – naturally, only upon your request – the background of the food and drinks is also understood. For example, the Grüner Veltliner Hühnergarten (from Der Pollerhof) features a concise and informative description of its history and production on the label. In my opinion, this is a necessary and helpful approach to gaining a better understanding of the wine and making it more accessible to the taster. I particularly appreciate that at Österia, for example, every wine on the extensive wine list, as well as the bottles on the shelves, is described in detail, outlining the expected flavor profile and the wine's origin.
3+3=9 | Magentratzerl with wine
My culinary starter had already included three of the four Weinviertel wines from the specially curated "Weinviertel in Your Neighborhood" wine list. That left the Grüner Veltliner Frau Mayer (also from the Der Pollerhof winery), which again featured a short (and in this case, even somewhat touching) story on its label. I tasted this wine paired with two different soups – one from the daily changing dinner menu and the other selected from the small standard menu. I had a beef and chicken broth with egg custard and dumplings (€4.90, definitely worth trying!), and an asparagus soup with (plenty of) crayfish (€6.90). While a Sauvignon Blanc usually pairs particularly well with asparagus soup, Frau Mayer impressed me with its pleasantly fruity spiciness from the very first sip with both soups. Be sure to try the asparagus soup with a Weinviertel wine if you visit the Österia.
My main dishes for testing
For my main course, I received a combination of four individual dishes – a mix from the set menu and the regular menu, which, by the way, is changed every 1 to 1.5 months. So there were small portions of beef goulash with bread dumplings (normally also with salad for €15.90), chanterelle goulash with a square dumpling and sour cream (normally €13.90), Wiener Schnitzel (normally with roast potatoes and salad for €19.90), and boiled beef with root vegetables, horseradish, and potato casserole (normally €16.90). It's best to take a look at the photos to get an impression and see for yourself what fine cuisine awaits you at Österia. With my main courses, I also received a red and a white wine, both from outside the wine list. My favorite among the main courses was definitely the tender and flavorful goulash with homemade bread dumplings, as well as the Wiener Schnitzel (made with meat from the Holzkirchen butcher Laubinger, from organically raised cattle). The veal schnitzel was beautifully thin, perfectly and evenly breaded, and had a lovely golden color. Delicious, and I highly recommend it if you visit. For dessert, we had a sampler with strawberry-rhubarb cream, rhubarb compote, and green chocolate mousse with fruit. The mousse's green color comes from the base (white chocolate mousse) being colored with green pumpkin seed oil, which also imparts a slightly nutty flavor. It was accompanied by a small, delicious chocolate cake and a praline. Mmm! Currently, the regular menu features two different desserts and a cheese selection – naturally with wine pairings.
In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of dishes on the menu and the taste of each individual course. The meat was consistently high-quality, cooked to perfection, and delicious in every main course. There wasn't a single dish I wouldn't recommend ordering. Combined with the selected wines, my four-course meal was simply superb.
(from left): Service – Sandro Eichhorn, Wine purchasing – Markus Eichhorn, Head chef – Elias Halletz and myself
Recommendation from the Österia team
The team at Österia recommends that guests choose either the extensive, daily changing menu with wine pairings, or, on Mondays, the aforementioned fresh fried chicken. It's no wonder Österia thrives on its many regular customers and Austrian wine enthusiasts. Incidentally, all the wines recommended on the menu and standard wine list are also available for purchase by the bottle on-site to take home.
Hard facts
The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 2:00 PM to midnight. During the week, a "snack menu" (similar to a lunch menu) is available from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, dishes from the regular menu, including the daily specials, are offered. The wine shop "Ösiwein" is open Monday to Friday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Österia accepts German EC cards. Credit cards are not accepted. Unfortunately, you'll have to leave your dog at home for your visit to the Österia – but dogs don't like wine anyway ;-). Parking shouldn't be a problem nearby if you're driving; otherwise, the "Kolumbusplatz" subway station (lines 1 and 2) is just a stone's throw from the restaurant and shop. To be on the safe side, I recommend always making a reservation by phone before visiting, especially on weekends.
Grüner Veltliner Hühnergarten from the Der Pollerhof winery
The selection of wines from the Weinviertel region at the Österia
In June, the following wines from the Weinviertel region of Austria will also be available by the glass at Österia. Two of the wines (see markings) will also be available afterwards, either by the glass or by the bottle:
1) 2015, Grüner Veltliner 2 bar pressure, Weingut Martinshof (also regularly available as bottled wine on the menu)
2) 2015, Grüner Veltliner Hühnergarten, Weingut Der Pollerhof
3) 2015, Grüner Veltliner Frau Mayer, Weingut Der Pollerhof (also regularly available as bottled wine on the menu)
4) Blaufränkisch Gerichtsberg, Norbert Bauer Winery
Conclusion: You absolutely must go to Österia. And ideally, for a set menu. With wine pairings. No holds barred, as if there were no tomorrow – because that's the only way to fully appreciate the diversity of wines and the delicious dishes on the menu. And it's truly worth it. Even if wine isn't your primary focus or you have little expertise, that's perfectly fine. At Österia, you'll find expert table service, and you'll automatically develop a greater appreciation for wine while you're there. Take advantage of June to sample wines from the Weinviertel region, paired with daily changing menus. You'll receive a perfect wine recommendation for each course and are guaranteed to leave satisfied, full, and happy. The selection of Austrian wines alone is worth a visit, and with offers like the "3+3=9" on the menu, you can always try something new. A major plus: even after the end of June, you'll find numerous Weinviertel wines on the wine list. And the service is warm and attentive, with a constant focus on the guests at their tables. Österia – Thumbs up! I'll be back.
Place visited: Österia
Address: Taubenstraße 2, 81541 Munich
Website
Pictures:
Battling against the spread of fraudulent medications
Leave a Reply