The first time I went to Le Petit Jeudi for breakfast was a revelation. The second time less so. It’s still a great place, just the wow effect was missing this time. Or maybe it was just too hot, it was during the height of summer after all. When you come at 9am the terrace of Le Petit Jeudi still lies fully in the shade, which was excellent on that hot day. Albeit the mosquitos were already working as well.
terrace @Le Petit Jeudi
The concept of the menu hadn’t changed at all, it is still an accumulation of small dishes in form of tapas, egg dishes, warm dishes, and desserts. Not really sure why the egg dishes are listed separately, because they also arrive warm. As last time I ordered the Stundenei, some kind of onsen egg. It came with smoked trout, green beans, and celery stalks.
Stundenei with smoked trout @Le Petit Jeudi
As much as I loved the egg and sauce Hollandaise, the trout was not my thing. Of course this had nothing to do with the kitchen, it was just a bit much in the morning. Definitely something I wouldn’t order again in the morning. I also found that the celery stalks and the green beans were too crunchy. The contrast to the egg and the sauce was too great and left me chewing the veggies forever. Unfortunately the dish was not to my liking.
My friend ordered a potato waffle with peas and a lamb sausage. It looked delicious when it arrived in front of him. Looking at it from above the waffle was completely hidden beneath all the green stuff and a mountain of snowy cheese. Who doesn’t want to eat something so interesting.
potato waffle with peas and lamb sausage @Le Petit Jeudi
Personally I loved it, when I tasted it. My friend wasn’t too fond of the mushy peas though. But to me the combination of potatoes, peas, and lamb was just irresistible. Not a breakfast dish in my eyes however. Which is not the problem of the restaurant, since they do offer three kinds of egg dishes. Also the concept of Le Petit Jeudi is not to focus on the different meals of the day, but rather small dishes which can be eaten throughout.
Since the last time we both raved about the French toast we had to order it again. And this was the dish that really disappointed me. On a high level though, but still. Last time the French toast came with whipped ricotta, which I dipped the toast in. This time it came with buttermilk panna cotta, which doesn’t have the right consistency to dip. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a panna cotta. As far as panna cottas go, it was perfect. Just not in combination with the French toast. The couple of bites with strawberry compote were fabulous, but the rest not so (great).
French toast with panna cotta @Le Petit Jeudi
So there you have it. I know it sounds all a little bit whiney. Which is very true, because it is whining at a high level. Le Petit Jeudi is still excellent, but this time I came with expectations and instead of fulfilling them I was challenged. Will I come again? For sure! But next time for breakfast I will choose my egg dish with more care, or come later and try something really decadent. Yours, Pollybert
Le Petit Jeudi
1200 Wien, Traunfelsgasse 1
Tel: +43 677 63105972
Thu-Fri: 10:00-21:30, Sat-Mon: 09:00-15:00
https://www.petitjeudi.at/
