If one were to paint the perfect Saturday, it would all begin with brunch in the city! Then, some afternoon shopping along 5th avenue, a few pit stops for some refreshing cocktails, and dinner downtown. If you talk to L+M, however, their perfect Saturday would probably entail sparring one another in their ”karate” class and a couple of hours of surfing. To appease both the ladies and gents, A+K decided to follow through on their picture perfect Saturday, while the boys engaged in their manly activities.

To start the day, A+K made plans to meet at Penn, then share a cab over to Madison for our brunch destination: Pranna. We were kindly invited by our favorites at the Blaq Group to this wonderful affair! When we arrived we were seated in a sun-drenched alcove, just one of the many sections of this huge, lofted space. We were greeted by our server and informed that we could select one entree from the menu, and only 3 cocktails. ONLY! Gosh, we love the Blaq Group… and Pranna for serving up delicious staples like the Mimosa and Bellini.

After our managerie of champagne and fruity goodness, some tasty brunch selections, and a couple of hours of chatting, we decided it was time to make our way uptown (and walk off our meal!) for some shopping. We headed north on Madison, soaking in the sun and all of the aesthetically pleasing surroundings of Madison Avenue. We just love New York!

We popped in and out of a few shops along the way, but we were waiting for the headliner of our shopping feat... Saks! It is the quintessential Manhattan department store, complete with many of the “needs” A+K had on this particular afternoon. First stop: Hat department. With a Polo match coming up, we decided it was essential to begin our hunt for the perfect head topper. Requirements: Gigantic and boisterous, but classy. We then made our rounds to sunglasses, makeup, and finally, handbags. A was on the hunt for a Saks exclusive, but sadly it was nowhere to be found (though, this later turned out to be a blessing in disguise, since A found another one that suit her fancy so much more!). Phew! Shopping is exhausting! Maybe it was time for a cocktail break… yes, yes it was!

We stumbled upon the unassuming Modern Restaurant, a fine dining establishment located at the Museum of Modern Art. Chic and inviting, we decided to check it out. We hopped up on two seats at the bar, and ordered a round of refreshments. We unloaded our iPads and searched for other NYC happenings, explored things to do for our trip to France, checked emails, and we may have even engaged in some Facetime… with… each… other! It’s just so fun! Although we considered another drink, we felt the need to move on… as we didn’t quite fall in love with the ambiance. We also thought we should try to make it to a few more stores before they closed, as most stores on 5th Avenue close relatively early on a Saturday.

Then, only a hop, skip, and a jump away, we walked by the Peninsula Hotel. K had recalled that there was a rooftop bar here… and suggested one more cocktail… with breathtaking veiws of Central Park. But of course! So, up we went to the Salon de Ning, the Peninsula’s old-school, Shanghai-inspired bar and lounge, with nearly panoramic views of New York City, including Central Park and Museum Mile. With the long wait time for outdoor seating, we decided that we’d grab some stools at the bar instead, as there were plenty of open windows and doors that made it feel nearly as good as being outside (and it poured only a little while later… phew!) We ordered up some cocktails (probably the MOST expensive we’ve ever had) and took it all in. Life is so good! After chatting with some fellow patrons, and milking our cocktails for all they were worth, we made our descent to 5th Avenue again, in hopes of making one last stop… Bergdorf’s. We excitedly looked in the display windows and made our way to the gold-clad doors, but when we pulled the handles, they didn’t budge… they were closed! No! For a city that never sleeps, prime shopping venues close far too early! We’d just have to save Bergdorf’s for another day…

As our dinner reservation was quickly approaching, we figured it was an opportune time to make our way downtown and wait for L+M to join us in the East Village. We hopped on the 6 train and headed to Union Square where we’d transfer to the L and then head over to 1st Ave and 14th Street. Since we still had a little bit of time before the boys arrived, we thought that maybe we’d stop in for one more drink if we passed an inviting little spot. Since the East Village is loaded with these, we knew it wouldn’t be hard. When we remembered a little wine bar that was on our agenda, it just so happened we were only steps away from it… Terroir! Before we even sat down, A+K were already making plans to come back again. Two seats awaited us at the bar, and two glasses of wine joined us moments later. We chatted with the amiable staff and took in all of the delicious aromas that surrounded us. We didn’t want to leave! However, we couldn’t cancel our dinner reservation only moments before, so we begrudgingly bid adieu and vowed to come again soon (maybe even after dinner if the boys could be convinced!).

We headed over to our final destination of the evening… Matilda. A unique eatery in Alphabet City, Matilda brilliantly combines Tuscan and Mexican fare! This Tusc-Mex resto is one of K+M’s favorites and has been on the 2+2 agenda for quite some time. Here one can find mojitos and sangria featuring prosecco, guacamole made with basil, and tamales stuffed with pesto. It is one of the most creative restaurants we’ve found and we truly adore it. However, once we all sat down, we realized that we were one tired crowd! L hadn’t been feeling well all day, but he didn’t want to miss out on dinner, so he picked M up and they met us for dinner regardless. A+K hadn’t stopped going all day… and once they sat down for dinner, they realize the jam-packed agenda of the day finally got the better of them… so, after clearing our plates (yes, even dessert), we made our way to the A+L’s chariot, and headed home… for a long, summer’s nap.

A few days later, with A+L’s mind still on their ‘old-stomping-grounds’, the East Village, we made our way back to Alphabet City for a dinner date night. Unfortunately, our typical ‘parking karma’ had completely warn out… we had nothing! We drove around for an hour looking for a space. We were completely frustrated, but in the end were enchanted by the ‘new’ Avenues A, B and C. My, how things have changed in the last 15 years (ok, we are really sounding old there). Block after block of the quaintest, funkiest, fun little venues. Edi and the Wolf caught our eye with its low candle light illuminating it to passers-by. It was selected purely based on curb appeal and boy we are getting good at this! To our surprise, it wasn’t French or Italian, but Austrian, our absolute favorite winter destination! We were more than pleasantly surprised by the fare, an exciting alternative to our typical tapas or cheese-heavy selections (hey, we aren’t complaining!). Another one for the books…

Check out all of our pictures!

MIDTOWN/UPTOWN

Cocktails and Brunch- A+K

Pranna Restaurant, Bar and Lounge

79 Madison Avenue # 2, NYC
212-696-5700
www.prannarestaurant.com

Asian Inspired, Cocktails, Midtown

A Southeast Asian restaurant known primarily for its singles scene, bar space and event hosting than for its food, Pranna is an ideal space for your next gathering. 2 Plus 2 have patroned the space on two occasions for different private parties. L+M attended the Savvy Auntie Release Party in the vast bar/lounge area, which provided the perfect backdrop for the well-attended, late night cocktail event. A+K experienced the other end of the spectrum, dining for brunch at a Saturday morning PR gathering. In both instances, Pranna created the perfect vibe… bustling and happening, or intimate and swanky.  With a plethora of separate sections within the venue, your event can be as big or as small as you like, with a variety of modern backdrops, clean lines, and soaring ceilings. We can only imagine how packed this place gets on a normal night!

L+M experienced pleasant and attentive bartenders during their evening party. The drinks were flowing throughout the event, regardless of the onslaught of attendees. The “to remain nameless” free beverage wasn’t exactly a man’s perfect drink,  so they moved to a sure-fire-impossible-to-mess-up Grey Goose and Soda. Finally, and thankfully, they were pleased with the cocktail choice, even if they did cost $16 bucks a piece.

A+K thoroughly enjoyed the Mad Brunch, a $28 entree and cocktail special complete with a live DJ spinning dance beats in the main dining room. With the inclusion of 3 cocktails and a hefty breakfast portion, the upbeat ambiance lent to a perfect Saturday morning atmosphere for chatting. The meal was quite tasty, with A going with a Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche and K loving the Asian Omelet. Also including the typical breakfast accompaniments (with interesting spins like curried potatoes), the tasty meal was too big to finish, especially since we required room for several bellinis in our stomachs. All in all, a great locale for the next gathering with your friends, be it a meal or just some refreshing beverages.

What we ate…

Drinks

• Bellini (A+K)
• Mimosa (A+K)
• Guinness (L+M)
• Grey Goose and Soda (L+M)

Food

• Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche, Turkey Sausage, Curried Potatoes, Mixed Greens (A)
• Asian Omelet (Cilantro, Mushrooms, Thai Bird Chillies, Goat Cheese), Curried Potatoes, Mixed Greens (K)

A: I was quite impressed with this venue. It was massive, but all the little nooks gave it such an interesting appeal. I will definitely keep this place in mind for a future 2 Plus 2 gathering.

K: My favorite part was when our server came over to inform us that we could order 1 entree and ONLY 3 cocktails. Pranna (and the Blaq Group) knows how to do it right!

L: Definitely a place to come for drinks. I loved the layout of the restaurant. Vast and cavernous, giving it an open feeling without being outside.

M: This space is big and I like that there are different places one can hang out. The room downstairs was my favorite but we couldn’t go in due to another party that had taken the room up for the night. Maybe next time.

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- Modern, Asian-inspired venue, perfect for your next big party
• Food/Drinks- 3: Pleasantly surprised
• Tip Worthy- 3: Gratuity Included
• Coordinates- 4: Neighborhood- Centrally located.
• Restaurant Return Rate- Green light!

Cocktails- A+K

The Modern

9 West 53rd Street, NYC

212-333-1220

www.TheModernNYC.com

French-American, Cocktails/ Wine, Manhattan

As a member of the Danny Meyer Union Square Hospitality Group, The Modern is a lovely, fine dining addition located with the Museum of Modern Art. As the name and surroundings suggestion, this place is the epitome of contemporary, with simple and clean furniture and design elements to complement the museum. With a perfect view of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden through the floor-to-ceiling windows, this place is an essential locale for those that love modern art and art-like-dining.

A la carte offerings are available in the Bar Room (or during lunch), where A+K stopped in for a cocktail. The French-American cuisine includes White Asparagus Soup with Smoked Quail Eggs, Grilled Foie Gras with Pistachio “Praline” and Chorizo Crusted Cod with White Coco Bean Puree. Finish off with some Pineapple and Mango Carpaccio with Lemongrass Gelee. The menu is organized into four courses (‘To Begin’, ‘To Continue’, ‘To Finish’ and ‘Dessert’) and during dinner service, an elegant tasting menu is the standard.  On Sundays, enjoy your four courses with your own bottle of vintage grapes or some bubbly with ‘Sommelier Free Sundays’, where you are free to bring in beverages from your private collection with no corkage fees. If you like to leave wine selection to the experts, The Modern staff will be sure to find you just what you are looking for from their listing of over 900 varieties. If you are more in the mood for a creative cocktail creation, their are quite a few fabulous options, including K’s Jalapeno and Ginger concoction. A must see for those who love the sophisticated scene!

What we drank…

• German Reisling (A)
• Jalapeno and Ginger Cocktail (K)

A: Nothing against The Modern in particular (because it was lovely), but I’m just not a big fan of modern art and ultra mod decor. It just feels so cold to me. As a result, even though the surroundings were of the highest quality and the decor was implicated just ‘so’, the venue didn’t speak to me and I didn’t really get that connection. However, if contemporary is your thing, then this place should be at the top of your list.

K: My cocktail was great; however, the ambiance did not pull me in and make me want to stick around for another round. With so many other options for cocktails in the area, I’d probably choose another spot for a shopping pit stop.

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- Contemporary (but not space age), high end dining a la Danny Meyer
• Drinks- 3.5: Pleasantly Stellar
• Tip Worthy- 3: Gratuity Included
• Coordinates- 5: Fun is right next door
• Restaurant Return Rate- Green to Yellow Light (Again, it hasn’t nothing to do with the food, because we didn’t try it.  There was absolutely nothing bad about this place, we just didn’t love the ultra mod feeling.)

Cocktails- A+K

Salon de Ning

@ The Peninsula Hotel

700 Fifth Avenue @55th Street,  NYC
212-903-3097

www.salondening.com

www.peninsula.com

Chinese/ International, Cocktails, Manhattan

The 23rd floor, please! Straight to the top! Salon de Ning is located on the rooftop terrace of the Peninsula Hotel. Located just off 5th Avenue, Salon de Ning is the perfect break from shopping… kick your feet back on the terrace or in the yacht-inspired bar and have a cocktail (you deserve it after all that shopping!).

As anything goes in New York, you pay for location. With panoramic views of Manhattan, expect to pay a pretty penny for cocktails at Salon de Ning; however, count on your experience here being the event. Spend a warm, sunny afternoon here, enjoying the outdoor terrace… or a spring or summer evening to view all of the city lights… or, as A+K experienced it, sitting just off the terrace, indoors, in the middle of a rainstorm. In any setting, it truly provides a magnificent vista. With the hours of operation being 4pm-1am daily, decide on the backdrop you’d most love to view Manhattan.

Though we didn’t have any food while here, Salon de Ning does offer a handful of bar snacks, including an Artisanal Cheese Plate and a Trio of Sandwiches. The rooftop terrace can also be reserved for private parties; it would be a truly unique venue for a special event.

Even with a grand price for cocktails, the ambiance will take your breath away. We highly recommend a stop here…and we’ll certainly be back!

What we drank…

• Grey Goose Orange with St. Germain Martini (A)
• Ning Sling [Absolut Mandarin, Soho Lychee Liqueur, Fresh Mint Leaves Shaken with Lychee and Passion Fruit Juices] (K)

A: Holy Moly! This view is worth every penny of the $22 cocktail! I’ve never seen such a lovely, birds eye look at 5th Avenue. Just think of it like paying admission to an observation deck that also comes with a glass of vodka… that’s worth it, right?

K: Definitely the most expensive cocktail I’ve ever had… but the view is unbeatable.

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- A Shanghai-inspired salon and terrace with dramatic views of Manhattan
• Drinks- 4: Stellar! Wouldn’t change a thing.
• Tip Worthy- 3: Gratuity Included.
• Coordinates- 5: A slice of heaven- Fun is right next door (after you descend 23 floors)!
• Return Rate- Green! Those views are well worth spending $22 for cocktails.

Shopping- A+K

Fifth Avenue

5th Avenue, NYC

Manhattan

When one thinks about New York, a couple of quintessential visions come to mind… yellow cabs, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and of course, the model for all high end shopping streets in the world, Fifth Avenue. Whether you have an insatiable taste for couture, or window-shopping is more your speed, either will result in an exhilarating afternoon.

Although starting at Washington Square Park, the eye popping boutiques begin showing up in the 40s and finish up at Central Park South. The amount of outrageous department stores and over-the-top, exclusive emporiums will keep you busy all day! For breaks from your shopping spree (or to convince the man in your life that 5th Avenue will be SO MUCH MORE than a burden on your credit card), stop in to anyone of New York’s other world famous tourist destinations like St Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building or the Plaza Hotel. Fifth Avenue is a destination all its own. Some of our favorite shopping highlights include:

Sights

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Plaza Hotel

Handbags, Sunglasses, Makeup and Clothes

• Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, Versace, Donna Karan

Jewels and Jewelry

• Tiffany and Co., Bulgari, Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels

Menswear

• Brooks Brothers, Bergdorf Men

Gadgets and Tech

• Apple

Toys

• FAO Schwartz

A: I love, love, LOVE Fifth Avenue! I’ve found that to truly enjoy it (like a girl really wants to), leave your husband at home to do ‘man-things’ and grab your best girlfriend! The two of you can spend the day doing important things like debating which shade of Chanel green eyeshadow is the most flattering? Who makes a better set of shades… Dior or Marc Jacobs (obvious answer… Chanel!)? And whether or not $1200 is a ‘reasonable’ price for a handbag (umm…. Yes?). Plus, my grandma worked at Bergdorf’s for 20 years, so it always holds a special place in my heart.

K: I feel like so much of my childhood was spent around 5th Avenue…especially during the holidays… whether it was going to a show at Radio City, or visiting the Tree in Rockefeller Center, or spending hours in FAO Schwarz… this whole neighborhood is so special to me and brings back a lot of great memories. As an adult there are so many other wonderful things to enjoy now… like high end shopping and cocktails on rooftops!

L: 5th Avenue is classic New York. The store fronts may constantly change but the feeling doesn’t. Growing up my parents would take us kids to FAO Schwarz at least once during the holidays for a little browsing. I don’t think anyone actually buys things in there. A street corner pretzel and hot dog and I was on cloud nine. Now I would rather go the the Mac store and buy some big boy toys.

M: It’s a good time for about 5 min. I usually last that long and then I leave Kristen to her shopping and head to a bar to get some beer, or I might be at FAO Schwartz looking for that floor piano that they used in the movie BIG. (It’s not as huge as the one in the movie but it will do.)

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- The epitome of the ‘High Life’… the best shops, sights, and people watching
• Coordinates- 5: Fun is right next door!

DOWNTOWN

Cocktails- A+K

Terroir Wine Bar

413 East 12th Street @1st Ave., NYC

646-602-1300

http://restauranthearth.com/terrior/Terroir.html

Small Plates, Wine, Manhattan

To do a thorough review of Terroir, we must return for an adequate stay and to sample the plethora of tasty snacks on the menu. Even in our short visit here, we fell in love! The wine selection is vast, yet thoughtful, and includes both domestic and international vintages. You can order anything from a Finger Lakes, NY Riesling to a Frontón de Oro from the Canary Islands. The drink menu also includes plenty of sparkling options, hard ciders (including one from the cider-making-capital of the world, Normandy), as well as carefully hand-picked beers like the Local 2 from Brooklyn Brewery and the Fire Island Lighthouse Ale.

Our wine choices were tasty, and we truly didn’t want to leave. With a dinner reservation around the corner, we only had time to enjoy one drink. We were hoping to convince the boys into going back for digestif after dinner, but they wouldn’t go for it, and told us we’d save it for another night. Sigh. We look forward to going back to sample the Cheese & Charcuterie, Bruschette, the Veal & Ricotta meatballs, and one of the delectable-sounding salads, like the Frisée with Duck Confit.

We are still dreaming about the super cozy ambiance with high bar tables, warm colors, rich lighting, and floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with wine. The staff was cordial, knowledgeable, and funny… we certainly could stick around and chat with them all evening! We are counting the minutes until we get back to Terroir again!

What we drank…

Drinks

• Gruner Veltliner, Ebenauer, 2009, Weinvierteil- White (A)
• Chateau Penin, 2010, Bordeaux- Rose (K)

A: Adorable! It truly was a mixture of a wine bar and the East Village (my favorite part of the city). The menus were plastic school binders complete with graffiti-clad covers and loose-leaf-esque pages. The staff was funny, friendly and informal, and even in our short visit, we immediately had that feeling that we must come back soon!

K: Wine bars, small plates, and fun staff do my dreams make! Terroir has it all! Can’t wait to go back and sample more things and hang out for hours…

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- Cozy, inviting wine bar with exposed brick and dim lighting
• Drinks- 4: Stellar! So much to choose from, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
• Tip Worthy- 4: Double the tax and then some!
• Coordinates- 5: Block! Fun is right next door.
• Restaurant Return Rate- Green! Counting the minutes!

Dinner- 2+2

Matilda

647 East 11th Street @ Ave. C, NYC
212-777-3355

www.matildarestaurant.com

Tuscan & Mexican, Cocktails, Manhattan

Matilda takes two styles of cooking that you might not think would ever be united and blends them together to make for some interesting and unique dishes. The dishes sound something like this: Guacamole alla Toscana (with basil, YES basil and red pepper served with tortilla chips and brick oven roasted focaccla); Tostadas Al Gamberoni (shrimp, cannellini bean, sage, queso fresco and crema fresca); Quesadillas Al Prosciutto (mozzarella, prosciutto and basil); Gnocchetti Tusc-Mex (homemade gnocchi in a basil-cilantro pesto). For drinks, don’t forget to have the “Prosejito” (a mojito made with prosecco). If you have the room, which one (M) or two (L+M) of us always has, you have to get the fresh ice cream. The chocolate and/or the mint stracciatella alone can be a reason to stop in on a hot summer night. The decor is simple and fun, just like the ambiance here. So if your group is having a hard time selecting one cuisine for dinner, and some may want Italian and others Mexican,  then Matilda might just be the perfect compromise!

What we ate…

Drinks

• Pitcher of Sangria (A+K+L)
• Water (M)

Food

• Tacos alla Fiorentina [Rosemary medium rare filet mignon, arugola and shaved grana padano] (A+L)
• Tacos alla Fiorentina [Rosemary medium rare filet mignon, arugola and shaved grana padano] (K+M)
• Pappardelle Al Ragu di Coda [Homemade pappardelle with oxtail ragout] (K+M)
• Insalata Matilda [Romaine, cucumber, onion, avocado, oregano, basil, with croutons and queso blanco] (A+L)

A: K+M have great taste in restaurants, so I’m sure this place can really knock it out of the park… unfortunately, this wasn’t the night for that. I can certainly see the appeal with a super cute decor and very creative menu, however it just fell a bit short during our visit.

K: I love Matilda. It’s one of the most creative restaurants I’ve been… Guacamole with basil! Mojitos made with Prosecco! Plus, they have a super-fun ambiance! I never want to leave!

L: A very nice salad. The tacos were tasty but a bit dry. The ice cream was the star of the show. Loved the atmosphere and the location.

M: K and I have been here together about 9 times. Every time I have been here I had a great time and great food. This night number 10 wasn’t one of the better times that I have had here. Wish it was better so A and L could have understood more why we love it so much. The ice cream was a meal saver. But hey, a 9-1 record is still a good record. I’ll be back for sure.

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- Simple and modern with Tuscan and Mexican flair
• Food/Drinks- 3: Pleasantly Surprised (The ice cream saved it this time.)
• Tip Worthy- 3: Gratuity Included
• Coordinates-4: Neighborhood- Centrally located!
• Restaurant Return Rate- Green Light (K+ M know that is can be better so we will be back for more)

Dinner- A+L

Edi and the Wolf

102 Avenue C, NYC
212-598-1040

www.EdiAndTheWolf.com

Austrian, Cocktails & Wine, Manhattan

Why is it so hard to find good Austrian (or German) food in this city? Apart from a few beer gardens and drab restaurants, it’s fairly difficult to get a proper wiener schnitzel, let alone something more contemporary. Thankfully, for your and our eating pleasure, we found an absolutely fantastic one in Alphabet City.

Owned and operated by Eduard Frauneder and Wolfgang Ban of Seasonal (Thats right, the one with a Michelan Star), Edi and the Wolf is the new gem of Alphabet City. Opened only a few short months ago, Edi and the Wolf is certainly riding a hot streak at the moment. Scoring a table may not be easy and the wait may be long, but it’s worth it. Unlike other to-remain-nameless restaurants, waiting for a table here is part of the fun. One of the very amiable hostesses is more than happy to bring you to the bar and set you up with a drink and a menu to start perusing. Without a reservation you will probably wind up sitting at the long communal table in the center of the restaurant. If sitting with strangers is not your thing, ask for a private table or do what we did, sit at the bar and enjoy the people watching and B.S.ing with the bartender.

Front to back the decor of the restaurant perfectly executes its theme. The amount of work that went into decorating the place is quite obvious. The distressed wood on the ceiling is back-lit by lights above, giving the entire place a Gothic hue without being too dark. Throw in some old desk lights coming off the walls, chairs hung upside down off the rafters, a huge 40-foot rope hanging over the copper bar and leather boots turned into candelabras and vases and the mood is set. On most nights the front of the restaurant completely opens to the street (weather permitting). Most impressive of all is the garden in back where there is another communal table, vines, and hanging baskets giving it a secret Austrian hideaway feel.

As we found out from Edi himself, the restaurant is inspired by wine bars in Austria. He went on to say that he and the Wolf wanted to create a more relaxed atmosphere than the upscale Seasonal. Regardless of the comparisons between the two restaurants, Edi and the Wolf easily stands on its own with its unique atmosphere.

The menu is a mix of straight up classics and regionally inspired dishes. With the help of the attentive and funny bartender, we quickly chose the Landjager, Baby Back Ribs and the Wiener Schnitzel (Heritage Pig baby!). With our direct view of the kitchen, we could see the chefs buzzing around and knocking out food with ninja-like precision. The Landjager tasted like home made Slim Jim. If you’re into dried sausage, you’ll love it. Slather on some mustard and your good to go. The Baby Back Ribs were fall-off-the-bone delicious. Don’t expect them to be doused in sauce; these are dry with a slight sweetness. It’s hard not to order Wiener Schnitzel in an Austrian restaurant, especially when it’s made by real Austrians.  The Schnitzel didn’t let us down one bit. The pork was tender and the breading was light. We can still taste it now.

We can’t end the review without talking about the wine list. The areas surrounding Vienna is one of the great wine regions of Europe and is known for some amazing whites and reds. Edi and the Wolf have put together a “who’s who” list of Austrian and German wines listed as Light, Medium, and Full on the menu. Edi pointed us in the direction of the 2009 Gruner Veltliner. A light white wine perfect for the summer. To end things off, Edi brought out a bottle from his private stash.  We shared a few more glasses then said our goodbyes. Stuffed and happy, we called it a night.

What we ate…

Drinks

• Gruner Veltliner 2009 Liter, Zum Martin Sepp, Weinviertel (A+L)
• Austrian Red Selection (A+L)

Food

• Landjager- Cured, Dried, Austrian Sausage, Mustard and Pickles (A+L)
• Baby Back Ribs- Honey, Beer, Mustard, Pickles (A+L)
• Wiener Schnitzel (Heritage Pig)- Potato Salad, Cucumber, Lingonberry Jam (A+L)

A: I’m German (among an array of other things) and absolutely LOVE Austria, so it was a breath of fresh air to indulge in some Wiener Schnitzel and not be forced to simultaneously drink beer at a picnic bench. The decor of this place was ‘spot-on’ and extremely creative! It brought me right back to our time in St. Anton am Arlberg in the Austrian Alps, my favorite winter snowboard vacation. I was back to being an ‘Altenburg’ tonight.

L: I nearly forgot how good Austrian food is until we ate at Edi and the Wolf. Awesome decor, great staff and fantastic food. Eating here brought us right back to being in Austria. I cant wait to go back.

Our Rating Scales…

• Scene- Elegant candle lit barn with a stellar wine list.
• Food/Drinks- 3.75: Pleasantly Stellar
• Tip Worthy- 4: Double the Tax and Then Some
• Coordinates- 4: Neighborhood- Centrally located
• Restaurant Return Rate- Green light!