Locating Do & Co Albertina was a bit of a challenge. This hot spot has no signage and with no posted menu anywhere in sight, I was reminded of the insider restaurants in New York that you have to know about to find.

Part of a larger chain of restaurants, Do & Co Albertina doesn’t have to worry about attracting passersby, as it’s the star of the moment in Viennese restaurant circles. The dining room seats 60 (more on the terrace in warm weather) and is decorated in soft earth tones and accented with large reproductions of portraits by Egon Schiele, the Austrian Expressionist. Looking around the sophisticated décor of the room, I thought it would be a perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing and art overload.

Taking my own advice, I enjoyed a Kir Royal while considering my dinner choices from the fairly eclectic menu. I chose a goose liver dish for my starter, which featured a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth combination of sautéed liver over a pineapple carpaccio. A dense port wine sauce accented the dish.

For the main course, I chose the classic Wiener Schnitzel, which is one of my favorite dishes. The veal cutlets were perfectly prepared with a crunchy outer crust and succulent veal inside. A side dish of traditional potato salad was the perfect accessory. (For Wiener Schnitzel lovers, here’s an old treasured recipe from a friend’s grandmother.)

The beverage list contained a good selection of European wines and I chose a local Austrian Riesling. It tasted fresh, with hints of wild grass and honey.

Desert is not to be missed in Vienna and I enjoyed chocolate soufflé with a warm, rich chocolate sauce, accompanied by a scoop of lemongrass parfait with fresh strawberries artfully arranged around the plate. It was sinfully delicious!

DO & CO Albertina
Albertinaplatz 1
1010 Wien
Tel: 532 96 69
Fax: 532 96 69 500
albertina@doco.com