Speise

A common denominator among human beings is our tendency to consume food. From what I have observed thus far, the Viennese are also humans so they eat and they are proud of the food they present to the world. I am not exactly a picky eater, but if you know me well you are aware that I am a strange eater. For one, I do not eat pork. I gave it up in 2006 when my family went to Italy, but that is a story for another time. I also do not like spending much money on food [last summer I lived off of carrots and peanut butter]. Guess what Vienna is full of? Yes, pork and expensive food.

                                                  

Nuss Torte and Cafe Melange from the Mozart cafe in Sacher Hotel.

I don't actually like cake, but the coffee was good.

Julie Andrews sings about schnitzel with noodles in the "Sound of Music," and I was thrilled to get the chance to try it for the first time in Austria. I had no idea what it actually was, but certainly it had to be good if Ms. Practically Perfect in Everyway sang about it to make her feel better. The second night here my chance to try it had already come about. I realized right away my schnitzel was pork so I thought, "screw it, sorry Wilbur" and took my first bite. For those of you that don't know, schnitzel is basically just chicken friend meat. Let's just say it wasn't my favorite and we can move on. (:

While most of the food is expensive, I have found street food to be pretty fairly priced and delicious. The Naschmarkt is an open-air market found close to the inner-city. It is reminiscent of Pike Place without the fish throwing. Since Vienna is located in a central hub of Europe is has many immigrants, especially Turks. With Turks comes döner kebap. Mmm. Think Turkish Gyro. Technically this isn't Viennese cuisine, but they are amazing so they make the record.

3 Euros for one of these. Yum.

Okay, so Maria had is wrong when she sang about Schnitzel, but she was spot on with the whole "Crisp Apple Streudel" thing. The pastries here in general are so good, well except for the Sacher Torte, but the Apfel Streudel is note-worthy. Lucky for me, on Friday my UW colleagues and I got to make dinner at our language school(IKI) with some teachers and I was taught how to make it! My mom and I have been making apple pies for years and honestly Apfel Streudel is nearly identical except for the crust which is phyllo dough. I would divulge the recipe, but I would rather make it for people when I get home and teach you all myself(:

My Apfel Streudel mit Schlag!

I will probably have more opinions as I continue to eat my way around the city, but I think this is enough for now. 

Oh, also I am going to Budapest this weekend so I will be sure to talk about that probably on Monday. I am excited to  experience a bit of Eastern Europe and (although it is great) see more than just Vienna.


Liebe Grüße,

Stacie Marie

PS: Dad, I hope you enjoyed my references(: