Vienna, Austria 2: Cafe Sacher

As usual, I made a must-do list before our trip to Austria. One of the items on the list was Eat Sacher Torte at Cafe Sacher in Hotel Sacher. My dream came true! Sacher Torte is one of the Vienna's most celebrated confections, probably one of the most famous chocolate cakes in the world. I have known the cake since I was a child even in Japan!

It was 1832 when Prince von Metternich instructed Franz Sacher, a young confectioner at that time was instructed to a new dessert for Prince von Metternich and his companions. The result was a chocolate cake, thinly coated by hand with apricot jam and covered with glossy chocolate icing on top. Franz's son, Eduard also became a pastry chef and opened Hotel Sacher, a luxury hotel in 1876. According Hotel Sacher, the original recipe of the cake remains their well-kept secret.

Sacher Torte was lovely but pretty sugary sweet. Apricot jam inside and unsweetened whipped cream on the side played a role to offset the sweetness perfectly. J had apple strudel, another Viennese traditional dessert. I tasted a bit. It was wonderful, too!

The cafe space was kinda small but elegant. Sacher Torte is served not only in Cafe Sacher but also a bar and another dining space within the hotel. Even you can buy a cake for a take-out. But for me, having the famous cake in the famed cafe only had a special meaning. I was so happy that J patiently waited for a table!

One of the highlights of the day was visiting Stephansdom (St Stephen's Cathedral). Located in the heat of the city, the Gothic masterpiece is the symbol of Vienna. When we were there, there was a filming crew inside. The central aisle was closed probably because of it. We went up to the top of the North tower and looked out over the city. It was a peaceful moment being away from the tourist crowds on the ground.

To be continued...