Wandering the side streets of Vienna near the Stephansdom Cathedral, we found ourselves in need of a light lunch. Having helped open and run a Greek restaurant in the Seattle area, my eyes were immediately drawn to Pláka, a Greek establishment on a side street named Bräunerstraβe, just down from the Wiener Pestsäule, a column memorializing victims of the Black Plague (cheerful thought, I know!).
Named after a neighborhood in Athens, Pláka was the real deal. A 1.75-litre bottle of Ouzo, the traditional Greek licorice liqueur, sat on the bar, which also offered various types of Retsina, a Greek wine flavored with resin, as well as more pedestrian versions of beer and wine.
I had to start with a taste of the ouzo, which was much smoother and with a more pronounced licorice flavor than the brands available in the U.S. After that, we settled on glasses of assyrtiko (Greek white wine) and a mezze (appetizer) plate with dolmades (small, rolled, stuffed grape leaves in avgolemono sauce), fried bread with a fig spread, deep-fried anchovies, and pita bread.
We never did get back for a full meal but based on what we did have, I’m sure a full lunch or dinner would be quite enjoyable. The next time we’re in Vienna, I’m sure we’ll find our way back to Pláka.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger image
 |
| The extensive menu |
Named after a neighborhood in Athens, Pláka was the real deal. A 1.75-litre bottle of Ouzo, the traditional Greek licorice liqueur, sat on the bar, which also offered various types of Retsina, a Greek wine flavored with resin, as well as more pedestrian versions of beer and wine.
I had to start with a taste of the ouzo, which was much smoother and with a more pronounced licorice flavor than the brands available in the U.S. After that, we settled on glasses of assyrtiko (Greek white wine) and a mezze (appetizer) plate with dolmades (small, rolled, stuffed grape leaves in avgolemono sauce), fried bread with a fig spread, deep-fried anchovies, and pita bread.
 |
| Greek mezze for lunch |
Most of the nibbles were delicious and disappeared quickly. The anchovies, however, were a bit bland to our taste. Even a squeeze of lemon juice and the provided hummus didn’t save them. We served deep-fried smelt, called marithes, at our restaurant. To my palate, they have more flavor and are my personal preference.
Every guest at Pláka gets a napkin which has the Greek versions of many popular German phrases, which is helpful if you speak German but a mere curiosity if you don’t. Still, it’s cute and helps set the mood.
Every guest at Pláka gets a napkin which has the Greek versions of many popular German phrases, which is helpful if you speak German but a mere curiosity if you don’t. Still, it’s cute and helps set the mood.
 |
| Translations on a napkin |
We never did get back for a full meal but based on what we did have, I’m sure a full lunch or dinner would be quite enjoyable. The next time we’re in Vienna, I’m sure we’ll find our way back to Pláka.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger image
Comments
Post a Comment
PLEASE NOTE:Comments on this website must pertain to the topic of the article and may be edited for content and/or clarity. Comments that include URLs WILL NOT BE POSTED. Please contact me directly if you wish to do a "link exchange."