I am just a tad worried about the image and potential let down if you were to visit Vienna and can’t find those types of Rindsrouladen or similar classics.

Having grown up in the hotel industry in the Austrian Alps, I am very familiar with the image we portrait to the world. And it’s a good thing.
I got Lederhosen still. Just not wearing them anymore.

Thanks for your input!

If that was the case, I wish we could see more German (or other similar ethnic) restaurants… But, going back to one of your points, I don’t have an issue with “old” restaurants, where they serve tried and true recipes. I mean, sometimes you just want the “classic” dish, right?

The challenge is that most “Germanic” restos in North America have been started by an earlier wave of immigrants, hence the lack of innovation in the kitchen and new decor. This is not limited to Cananda, I used to frequent Cafe Heidelberg in Las Vegas when I needed a Schnitzel fix. Same decor, same back ground music. Heck, even the same waitress it seems….

For example, Italians have moved up from a red sauce and Pizza only theme to a much more varied menu today. Same goes for many other nationalities, especially Asian cuisine.

There are of course some exceptions, Wolgang Puck still serves Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel at Spago’s, but a more elevated, better version than what you would ever get at most Gasthaeuser here…

Having said all that, I still go very often to the Austrian Club here in Calgary for a good piece of beef or some Wiener Schnitzel.