"Another entry into the list of Things that are Awesome about Austria, in a small town (a suburb of Bregenz, essentially that is part of the eastern Bodensee resort scene. We showed up without a reservation, and were seated in the pleasant garden, the tables far apart to ensure privacy in conversation and discreet movement by the staff, always a good sign in a better restaurant. We were offered a refreshing shot of watermelon juice at the start good, although more usual between dishes in a longer menu. We started with seafood: a superb combination of tuna, greens, and veal (unexpectedly good, and the preparation of the tuna put to shame many establishments supposedly specialising in seafood ; and an octopus based dish, which did not enthral Mr A, who objected to the combination with mussels. (Is this a central European thing? The closer you go to the Mediterranean, the simpler the serving of octopus: it has a delicate flavour, and does not require much done to it. If it had been served as in the other starter, it would be better, he said. For our mains we went for rib eye steaks with chimi churry (sic which we both found excellent: cooked to a perfect medium rare, with just the right amount of bite in the centre too often restaurants do a medium rare with the core of the meat nearly raw, which misses the point: a good medium rare locks the flavour in; if you slice it and too much seeps out, it's not done properly. Mr A declared the accompanying skin on potatoes were very good. I should have asked why the beef was imported from the US; Austria has amazing local beef (the Vorarlberg pastures are just round the corner! . We finished off with a delicate combination of chocolat,e pistachio, and cherries (for myself and an caloric explosion of ice cream and hot chocolate for Mr A. The Merlot recommended was just right for the meat, the espresso was decent, and the service was excellent. The prices are on the expensive side: our three course meal with only two glasses of wine and a soft drink cost as much as I'd expect the same meal with a whole bottle of good wine to cost. But, hey: you get what you pay for, and this was worth it. We'd go again, happily."
