U.FProductions Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 (edited) for those of you that don't know Loleta and i own a small restaurant in Halifax witch was reviewed in this weeks Coast, its funny review. Food & Drink • Liz Feltham gives Cafe Vienna top marks for good food and large portions, and for having an all-day breakfast. Liz Feltham settles into the comfortable chaos of Cafe Vienna. It’s a brilliant move to put a cafe in the same building as a laundromat. I’m not knocking these wash-and-dry facilities, but I can’t think of a worse place to have to while away a couple of hours. The Bluenose was the first local joint to host such an eatery, when Cafe Vienna opened upstairs as an alternative to reading old magazines and watching your clothes tumble dry. photo Ryan Whynott In through the laundromat, up a steep set of steps and we’re in Cafe Vienna, apparently also known as the land of visual sensory overload. There’s colour, everywhere, all sorts of colours, and on top of that, everything is multicoloured—placemats, signs, chairs, walls, you name it. It’s like the time I left a box of crayons (the big box, with the built-in pencil sharpener) on an old steam radiator, and they melted. After letting our eyes adjust we make our way to a large counter, above which a chalkboard with the menu is hanging. I note that there’s also an all-day breakfast menu, which is always a good thing. The menu is varied, Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine, cheap and healthy—plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too. Our counter attendant/hostess/cook (she’s all, yet none of these things—I’ll just call her our provider) helps us make up our mind and we take a seat to wait for the food. I look at the cluttered mess behind the counter and wonder how food can come out of such chaos, and my friend looks around at the mismatched tables and chairs, the eclectic decor, and observes that it’s like visiting someone’s first apartment. Our provider brings our meals in short order: two whopping big servings of chicken shwarma ($8) and the falafel plate ($7.50)—which has an excellent reputation. The chicken is superb: moist, tender cubes lightly seasoned and plenty of it. The falafel is a bit salty, I’ve had better but I’ve certainly not had a bigger portion, so it’s still a passing grade for the plate. The hummus is very smooth and quite nice, although the pita bread that is served with it is unfortunately stale. The tabbouleh is more mint-y than parsley-filled, a nice variation. The fatouche (salad) that comes with the chicken has a tart, vinegary dressing that sports a unique taste that I can’t quite pin down, but it’s not unpleasant. Lentils and rice are very nicely done and a welcome foil for the vinegary salad. Cafe Vienna defies description—it’s more like someone’s kitchen and not a commercial establishment, but don’t let its appearance fool you. There’s some very good cooking coming out of here, with a great low-price to large-portion ratio. Appetites satisfied, we observe the comings and goings of the other Cafe Vienna visitors. Some watch the lights of the washer and dryer number board to keep track of their laundry. Some diners are obviously regulars, greeting others by name, and some stand atop the steps and look as confused as we undoubtedly did. But everyone leaves the restaurant with looks of contentment and big smiles, including us. Cafe Vienna 2198 Windsor Street 429-2749 Mon-Sun 8am-8:30pm Happy happy joy joy Find liz Feltham online at: foodcritic.ca www.thecoast.ca Edited May 27, 2005 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Im going home Donny Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Thats a sweet review! I'll be hitting up Windsor street when I visit! yummy goodness...mmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamilton Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Nice review - congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooly Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 good stuff shane glad to hear you and loleta are rockin it like machines on the coast buddy if i make it back that way ill come in and trash the joint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 does the cafe serve Donairs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
U.FProductions Posted May 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 does the cafe serve Donairs? plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too Cafe Vienna is mystery meat(donaira)/pork free restaurant FREE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 That's a nice shot of Lolo. Sounds groovy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Awesome man, just awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
U.FProductions Posted May 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 The Shish Tawook meal with fetouch, fresh pita, and roasted potatoes was excellent. The all day breakfast is also very good and affordable. Hmm...very tasty! Good work! (now I am hungry) hhhmmmmmmmmm!! i love the Shish Tawook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomFoolery Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Dude,That cafe rules!My two best friends live around the corner from your place and every time I'm in town we wind up breaking the fast at Cafe Vienna.Love the place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esau Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Cheers Shane,glad to see you guys & the restaurant are doing well brother.Send me some food & a mute girl or a case of alpine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Nice.You should change/edit your topic heading. You have " Are Restaurant Review ". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaidy Mae Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Oh, how I've missed seeing that crazy momma around at shows! Congrats to both of you on the cafe, that's awesome! If I make it out to Halifax for my bday I'll definitely stop by. Please give Loleta a big hug for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hux Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Nice review! We shared the Shish Tawook meal and the all-day breakfast, it was very very tasty (I didn't find the falafel too salty)Great spot, a real homey feel and super chill staff, they had the Beatles CD on when we were there, so that only made everything better.Congrats on the success folks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I'll be sure to stop in if I ever make it out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Awesome work Shane... I'll be there if and when I'm in Halifax! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWB Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 it's our! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secondtube Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 fault?Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schwa. Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 BURN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevO Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I'll be there if and when I'm in Halifax!same for me. i had no idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffhead77 Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Shish Tawook....MAGNIFIQUE!!! I believe SArah's Falafel on Bloor has that game wrapped up in TO...Gazales isn't bad either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooly Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 its shane the grammar allfuckin star!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gentlemonkey Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Hey Congrats guys! I missed this, but thats awesome that you have a cool restaurant. I'll definitley hit it up when back in halifax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazlo Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Don't eat anything with white sauce on it. Shane mixes it with his feet and the secret ingredient is Octopus Head's hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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