Never judge a book by its cover

Yesterday we asked our guide where he would recommend as a place to get good Austrian food: schnitzel, bratwurst, strudel, dumplings. He suggested a small restaurant around the corner and up the street from our hotel, in the opposite direction to the cafe strip and the beer hall. 

Off we tottered and it took a while to locate the place. The entrance looked like a place where drug deals might be done but there was a sign outside and we recognised the word schnitzel so we went in. The owner was behind the bar, and there were four others in booths smoking and looking as if they had sat there since lunch time sculling pints. The decor was dark wood and music from the 80s was playing on a jukebox in the corner. Dead animals were displayed on the walls and dead plants on the window sills.

The owner looked shocked to see us but seated us and brought menus in English ( a good sign). We ordered schnitzels and waited, talking in hushed tones about food poisoning, but when the food came out it was simple but delicious. The owner was lovely, service was great, and when the drunks left we even felt safe. I guess sometimes you have to take a chance on the advice of others and not judge a restaurant by how nice the decor is or by the people who are already there.

 

Fancy light fitting from dead branches.

Is this a restaurant? 

Tasty dinner with serviette as tablecloth. With a huge Coke and a half pint of Austrian beer not bad for 19€ for the two of us.