A restaurant experience which felt more like dining in a dancing hall: Restaurant 1870 @ Grand Hotel Vienna (9. April 2023)
It seems like Vienna is not the place to book 8 months in advance, since this was the second location which was apparently not having the reservation (despite the fact that I had the email confirmation of the booking). And when you walked in, it was a bit of a weird feeling since the place is relatively spacious and the actual restaurant part only starts towards the back. So, it feels more like walking into a dancing hall than into a restaurant.
In any case, since it is not easy to find a place on Easter Sunday, it was decided to ultimately eat here, and the evening started with quite some nice amuse bouches like the “char tartare, crispy sushi rice and kimchi, Parmesan with olive earth, corn chip, corn tortilla with avocado tatar, and beef cheek”. Frankly, this was a very positive surprise, especially, after the entrance into the restaurant wasn’t all too appealing.
As a starter, I went for the “Jerusalem Artichoke cream soup with black truffle” (EUR 10.00), which was okay. I mean, the soup was good, but I’ve definitely had better soups in the past.
When they served the “classical beef tartar, red onions, brioche” (EUR 23.00), it looked so pretty. This was before they poured in some kind of sauce. And to me, the sauce element makes it look pretty on the plate, but it does not add anything to the taste – or, it actually does quite the opposite!
So, while the “brioche” was plenty and good, the whole beef tartare was somewhat okay, but far from outstanding.
As a main course, I went for the “grain fat beef filet (200gr) prepared on a lava stone” (EUR 40.00), which looked really sad when it was served. Somehow, the meat was okay, but it was not really too tasty either. Not sure why, but it was just a bit disappointing.
At least the “baby spinach” (EUR 8.00), which I had ordered as a side dish, was quite lovely.
To end it all, some small friandises were served, and they were nice and enjoyable to end the dinner.
All in all, the 1870 is definitely okay. The place is not too appealing in terms of interior design, they don’t find your reservation, but the staff is friendly and professional, the food is decent, and the prices are okay. So, nothing you need to do again, but something which is overall acceptable.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant 1870 @ Grand Hotel Vienna
Kärntner Ring 9
7th floor, Grand Hotel
1010 Vienna (AT)
Tel.: +43 1 515 80 91 04
E-Mail: 1870@grandhotelwien.com
Homepage: https://de.grandhotelwien.com/dine-with-us/1870-restaurant-terrace-lounge/
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
