Hasis Birthday lunch at the "Le Ciel"

It was Hasis birthday weekend, and to do something different for a change I had planned on inviting him for lunch to the famous "Le Ciel" at the ANA Grand Hotel in downtown Vienna.

This 5*hotel is situated at the Ring, right next to the Bristol, and what I told you about the "Sacher" ("don´t go there") is right the opposite here. I never felt so much at home at such a posh place before (well yes, maybe at the "Phoenician" in Phoenix, Arizona - but that is a different cup of tea) and I can really recommend (recommend, recommend!!) it.

You find the "Le Ciel" at the top floor of the ANA Grand Hotel, overlooking the Ring, and if you want to check it out a bit more here is the link http://www.leciel.at/.

When we got there early (we don´t like to eat late) we were the first to arrive, but when we left two hours later all tables were full. I recommend to book a table in advance, the Restaurant is not that big, and it is pretty well booked.

Champagne to toast with! After you are seated they instantly arrive with the drinks for you to chose from, and then they give you all the time in the world to contemplate on your courses. Honestly, I was never served by a more caring and more attentive staff! (And now I am also counting the "Phoenician", Phoenix, Arizona, the "Beekmans Tower" in NYC, NY, and the Raffles in Singapore.)

While waiting for our first course to arrive we had a quick peek at the terrace - another nice place to chill. It was a bit overcast so they did not lay the tables outside, but this is definately a place for next time!

Here we re-arranged ourselves a bit for the picture, otherwise it would have been too bright for the camera. Our table was table No. 12 - a big thumbs up, and a number to remember for next time.

The compliment from the kitchen was some cold "Asparagus and something soup". Then came the first course. Mine was "Spinach creme soup with quail´s egg" and some other things I can´t remember, Hasi had the Carpaccio, which was the best ever.

As a main course we both had the "Kalbsgeschnetzeltes" with Gnocci in a cheese crust. Yum!

Dessert was absolutely smashing! We had the "Petit four" (Stefan) and the "Selection of cheese" - for me the absolute highlight of a brilliant meal. The waiter who attends the cheese wagon will select the perfect choice of cheese for you - and it was a smash!! For me the best course of the meal!

 

And to show you how attentive the staff is: When I had booked the table I had not mentioned that it was Hasi´s birthday. When we arrived he told one of the waiters that I really had surprised him for his birthday - and that was all there was needed. After dessert suddenly the music was playing "Happy birthday" and the cheese wagon man arrived with a cake and a sparkler in it.... It was amazing!

 

 

We left happy and satisfied, knowing that we just had discovered a place worth remembering. We definately will be going again!

 

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