Ms. Lillian Langseth-Christensen, Part II of IV

I love to eat. And, like many New Yorkers, I love to eat good food. I am fully aware that there is a finite limit to the number of meals I will be able to consume during my lifetime and I do not want to squander any opportunity on a lousy one. Don't try to overwhelm me with fancy-schmancy bells and whistles either! I want good food that tastes good - plain and simple.

Well, I certainly got my fill of it on my recent trip to Vienna - encouraged, of course, by the writings of Ms. Langseth-Christensen - and from wine bars to wurstel stands, here are my "must-have" food experiences:

Plachutta (the "ch" is pronounced as if expunging a spit ball from one's mouth) to sample the Kaiser's favorite dish: tafelspitz (or anything else they have on the menu - it's all succulently delicious)

Wurstel stand am Hoher Markt (hang with all of Vienna from elegantly dressed patrons of the arts to students to ambulance drivers, everybody loves their wurst at any hour of the day)

Julius Meinl, the gourmet superstore, also has a wine bar with extensive offerings from the bountiful countryside around Vienna - yum.

But by far the most special evening was spent Zum Schwarzen Kameel...truly one of the best meals of my life: a Jugendstil dining room, a remarkably warm and knowledgeable staff and, five courses and eight glasses of wine later, a bill that didn't break the bank.

If you happen to be planning a trip to Vienna (and I hope you are!) here are a few helpful links:

Plachutta (watch out - there's music!)
Wurstel Stand am Hoher Markt
Julius Meinl
Zum Schwarzen Kameel

More on Ms. Langseth-Christensen to follow...