We did not have high expectations for the food and drink on our trip, thinking that it would be traditional meat heavy with a lot of sausages, cabbage and potatoes ! However, although that was available, there was a lot of high quality modern food some based on traditional dishes. We were also lucky to time our trip with asparagus season across the region we travelled through. Although not previously fans of the white variety, when fresh and local we were happy converts. The product is given pride of place in restaurants, many having specific menus of seasonal asparagus specials.
It was also possible to drink excellent local wines at prices much lower than London (not saying much !), from dry rieslings in Alsace to dry Tokaji in Hungary, together with some interesting reds. It should have been no surprise that in Austria and Hungary there was Northern Italian influence in the cuisine.
While we ate excellent fish, vegetarian food and middle Eastern dishes, we also enjoyed schnitzel and cakes. In Vienna we learned that the famous Sachertorte had been the subject of a legal dispute between two cafes as to which could call theirs “original”. It was determined that “Cafe Sacher Wien” could have this privilidge, although the guide on our walking tour recommended the rival, Demel.
Shilli-Fully Travels 