Der schöne Ernst is actually a hotel bar that also serves breakfast. Or so I believed, as I had read somewhere that it offers its own brunch menu. On a recent Saturday morning I made my way to Praterstrasse and was pleasantly surprised by how chic the former thoroughfare street looked after its overhaul. There was no question about it, I had to sit outside and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the area.
Der schöne Ernst @Vienna
I only took a quick glance inside, but I liked what I saw. It is definitely a place I can imagine myself frequenting for an aperitivo.
inside @Der schöne Ernst
But for the moment I was here for breakfast, and I started with a Lungo as usual. The coffee was served on a very stylish looking tray, and the overall impression was excellent.
coffee and the new and improved Praterstrasse @Der schöne Ernst
Breakfast, on the other hand, was a disappointment. Der schöne Ernst offers a few sweet porridge variations and three kinds of savory croissants: ham and cheese, cheese, and on the summer menu a smoked rainbow trout croissant. We ordered ham and cheese and the smoked trout.
I quite liked the ham and cheese croissant. It held its shape well, the pastry was buttery and flaky, just how I like it, and both the ham and cheese were of good quality. The cheese even had a hint of smokiness. The white dots on the plate were a horseradish cream, although I could not detect any actual horseradish flavor. Overall it was nice enough, but not something I would come here for specifically.
ham and cheese croissant @Der schöne Ernst
My friend had the smoked rainbow trout croissant, which also came with the same horseradish cream. He was less impressed, as he felt the croissant did not work at all with the smoked trout.
croissant with rainbow trout @Der schöne Ernst
As I enjoyed the buttery flavor of the croissant, I decided to order a pain au chocolat for dessert. I just needed something sweet that morning. Here, however, the shortcomings of the puff pastry became clear. Although it had layers upon layers, it was too dense, as if it had not been given enough time to expand. I am not a baker, so I cannot say what caused it, but it simply was not good.
pain au chocolate @Der schöne Ernst
Der schöne Ernst seems like a lovely place for a drink after work, but for breakfast it is not the right choice. Come for the coffee, come for the drinks, but do not expect too much when it comes to the food. Yours, Pollybert
Der schöne Ernst
1020 Wien, Praterstrasse 44-46
Tel: +43 1 218404
Email: hello@ernst-bar.at
Wed-Sun: 07:00-22:00
https://www.ernst-bar.at/en/
