Kipferl

Lovely Weiner Schnitzel and Salads served up by clock watchers with a completely inflexible approach to serving seated customers. Arriving after a busy work day at 21:07 we were promptly informed that the kitchen would be closing in ten minutes and that we needed to order our mains straightaway. We had a few minutes with a nice Austrian red wine and starters. The restaurant being almost completely full, the mains took about 20 minutes to serve. The schnitzel and goulash were tender and tasty and as we were finishing up we enquired about dessert. No, not possible was the response - case closed. When we mentioned that no one asked if we wanted anything more, we wrote informed that we were warned of imminent kitchen closure when we arrived. Altogether a big disappointment - good foot but spoiled by haughty, rude and uninterested servers.

Since returning from Australia I have found it hard to find a decent coffee in London, but Kipferl delivers just that. Coupled with delicious cakes and friendly staff it is a perfect break from Saturday shopping.

Great schnitzel and delicious cakes! Service is great! Small so be sure to book. Left very satisfied!!

I visited Kipferl some weeks ago and I liked it! Not like a viennesse coffee house but still good. I ordered a apfelstrudel and tea. Both really good. The staff was friendly and on my way out I bought a bottle of wine and Mozartkugeln. For me its good that they are so near there I live so I will certainly go back! And I can speak German with them which is good and also makes it feels like I’m back in Austria.

I am a bad Austrian. After one year and about 130 posts, I have not blogged about a single Austrian restaurant/cafe in London. I have been wanting to go to Bistro Delicat in Battersea forever, but somehow it just never happened. The other noteworthy Austrian etablissement in London is Kipferl. A little cafe just behind the Barbican it has achieved some critical acclaim for its cakes and coffee. Now, while walking through the Antiques Market in Camden Passage last weekend, I stumbled upon a second Kipferl.

What is ‘Kipferl‘ you might wonder, after you probably have unsuccessfully tried to pronounce it. A Kipferl is a very Austrian thing, it is something to eat and it’s all about the crescent shape.

HungryinLondon is not only about fun but also about education, therefore here a little history lesson for you:

The Austrian Kipferl is said to be the ancestor of the French Croissant. Marie Antoinette, the daughter of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresia, married Louis XVI and brought her favourite bakery with her to France. As opposed to the French croissant however, the Austrian Kipferl is made of brioche and is much lighter.

No Sunday breakfast is complete in Austria without a Kipferl, it is usually halved and eaten with butter and honey or jam. Some people (I am not one of them shakesindisgust) dunk it into their sweetened coffee or hot chocolate.

The second most famous Kipferl is the Vanille-Kipferl, predominantly eaten in the pre-Christmas and Christmas period. Every housewife has her own secret Vanille Kipferl recipe (I shall post my mum’s if she is ever going to tell me) and this Christmas cookie (mainly consisting of butter and sugar) is main reason why most Austrians are 3 kilos heavier after Christmas.
Photo from The Hungarian Girl

The Kipferl in Islington now, is a new and shiny cafe/restaurant, all white and wood with loads of natural light. It also has a few tables outside in case the summer ever comes.

As I was just coming from a very extensive lunch, I only had a coffee, which was very nice. Particularly with the little Milka Chocolate, which is by far the dominating chocolate brand in Austria. The Austrians among you will probably recgonize the plate: It’s from Aida, a Viennese coffee shop institution. You have one on almost every corner and it is characterized by grumpy waitresses and 70s style furniture (not in a cool way but in an old way 70s if you know what I mean). I couldn’t help feeling a pinch of nostalgia upon spotting these plates.

There is a nice selection of Austrian cakes to choose from (I actually can’t wait to try them) and a small selection of Austrian dishes such as Tafelspitz, Wiener Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn.

I am a bit homesick at the moment, so I was thrilled to find my favourite Austrian newspaper there, and it was even the current one!

Kipferl also sells the Austrian beer that I used to get drunk on as a teenager.

Finally I know where I will get my Styrian Pumpkinseed Oil (‘Kernoel’) from. The pitch-black oil is beautiful on salads but interestingly also works with vanilla ice.

I am intrigued and happy about having found an affordable, friendly and authentic Austrian place in London. I shall certainly be back!