• Wrapped in chocolate or marzipan, with various fillings and flavor mixes, with an increasingly tempting appearance, European desserts satisfy the demands and requirements of any consumer. We present to you a famous restaurant - Gerstner in Vienna.
Each country is proud of at least one specific dessert, but also of historical, renowned restaurants.
The preservation of traditions, the spectacular design of the location, the various national or international awards, customer reviews and recommendations are just a few reasons why a confectionery, pastry shop, restaurant or gelateria can represent an important landmark on the map of good taste destinations in Europe.
Gerstner Vienna – over 170 years of tradition
In April 1847, Anton and Barbara Gerstner laid the foundation stone for their new business by creating the Gerstner company and opening, right in the heart of Vienna, a place to sell their own artisanal confectionery products.
With their exceptional artistic skills, passion for chocolate and the use of the highest quality raw materials, the Gerstner family immediately managed to impress their clientele. Thus, the cakes, desserts and artisanal pralines made by the Gerstner confectionery became famous on the Viennese market at that time.
In 1869, the company expands its activity, successfully introducing the serving of culinary products, catering or buffet, for the Opera House of the Royal Court, today the Vienna State Opera. This partnership has continued through the ages, so that in 2014 Gerstner served the famous Vienna Opera Ball for the 58th time.
In 1873, Gerstner is appointed purveyor to the Royal and Imperial Court ("KuK Hofzuckerbäcker"), both for desserts and for catering and buffet-type culinary products, these being served at official state dinners, but also on the occasion of receptions or balls organized at the Court.
Benefiting from this privilege, the products became more and more appreciated, and, from that moment, the Gerstner company continued its evolution, by developing the new activity in the culinary field.
Based on this long tradition, Gerstner has succeeded in becoming one of the most prestigious companies in the Austrian gourmet and hospitality sector.
The high quality of the raw materials used, the safety and care in the production of the products, combined with the quality services offered to its clientele have always been the basis of the Viennese company's success.
Today, in addition to serving its high-ranking customers, the Gerstner confectionery also welcomes ordinary consumers, who appreciate quality and traditional desserts. Thus, Kärntner Strasse no. 51 is a well-known address to Viennese, but also to tourists, gourmets or lovers of sweets.
Minitur Gerstner, Vienna
Built on three levels, the place is full of color and aromas that reign everywhere, regardless of the floor you are on.
On the ground floor is the area of delicious artisan desserts, where you can buy various pastries and confectionery products, such as: cakes, cookies, cupcakes, petits fours...Also here, chocolate lovers are welcomed with creamy truffles, refined pralines or modern chocolate bars.
The specialty of the house is the famous "Sisi Cake” (Sisi Cake), made in memory of one of the confectionery's most important customers, Empress Elisabeth of Austria (1854–1898), well known as Sisi. The cake, wrapped in sugar paste, consists of: cocoa top and two types of creams, one made of chocolate, the other of marzipan flavored with black cranberries (Cassis) and red currant jam.
~ Sisi Cake ~
As a tribute to the legendary empress, the confectionary offers for sale a wider range of products with the name Sisi, intended for tourists, who can thus take a sweet memory of Vienna with them. Among these we mention: Sisi Torte – The tortilla packed in a wooden box, with the aim of being able to be transported without the risk of damage and, Sisi Violets – Candied violet flowers, considered to have been the favorite products of the empress.
~ Sisi Torte ~
~ Sisi Violets ~
The delicatessen offer is complemented by the Schlumberger Cellars range of sparkling wines from Austria's most famous wine house, with a tradition of over 300 years.
In the bar located on the 1st floor of the restaurant, you can enjoy spicy snacks and delicious desserts, the Gerstner brand, together with a glass of wine, in the atmosphere of a neoclassical space.
On the 2nd floor is the restaurant-cafe area. Here, customers can enjoy culinary dishes prepared by the kitchen chefs in the traditional Viennese style, but also specific desserts, such as the classic apple strudel.
The high halls, the walls plated with golden architectural elements, the coffered and decorated ceilings, the interior staircases, the chandeliers, the paintings, all these give you the feeling that you are in a palace. The state of comfort and relaxation will set in as soon as you step into the spacious rooms, with comfortable armchairs, floor-to-ceiling curtains and a specifically Viennese atmosphere.
In addition, the view from the second level is absolutely impressive, as the Gerstner is located opposite the Vienna State Opera, in front of which more than 80 live concerts of opera music are broadcast on a video screen with leds. The "Live opera in the public square" concept takes place in April, May, June and September, but also during the winter holidays, and the Gerstner Confectionery can be the ideal place from where you can admire such an event.
During the warm months, one can sit outside in the restaurant's palm garden, enjoying the dishes and desserts of their choice.
Over time, the business has developed continuously, expanding both in terms of the number of premises and activities. In addition to the famous confectionery in the center of Vienna, the company also opened cafes, restaurants, even hotels, also focusing on the organization of weddings and events, in spaces with impressive decorations.
Article written by Nicoleta Banu, Editor of Arta Albă
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