In a prime location, between Opera and MuseumsQuarter, a hip new restaurant opened up last spring which has shaken up the dining scene of Vienna.
Said the Butcher to the Cow is not only unique in its impressive name and interior, but also in the cuisine it serves. Combining three loves of mine: burgers, cheesecake and gin, I had to go and check it out!
The number of restaurants in Vienna who claim to have “the BEST burgers in town” is absolutely ridiculous. Besides being impossible, it has become a lame statement that is thrown around without any respect for the art that burger making is. I take my burgers very seriously. Anyways, when I heard about a new hamburger place opening up I really couldn’t be bothered about it but after learning about the name and story I have to admit I was intrigued. And when I saw the great branding and interior, I was sold. As much as I love a good burger, I’m a sucker for great design!
Somehow the people behind Said the Butcher to the Cow figured out the winning formula for a perfect dinner. It’s almost puzzling how no one ever thought of combining the three basic things: burgers, gin and cheesecake, an unbeatable trio! The menu consists of exactly that – you can choose from a dozen of different burgers that change through out the season, and the chefs moods, few mouth-watering cheesecakes and an absurdly long list of various gins and gin-based cocktails. And when you add a beautiful interior, a well thought out visual identity and attention to detail into the deal, it’s hard to resist. And you shouldn’t!
The pumping background music and neon lights draw hipsters here like moths flock towards a flame but no one can doubt the thought and effort behind it all. Just remember that like any other dinner restaurant in Vienna, the service is slow compared to an international standard and you absolutely must remember to make a reservation. As I’m not a food critic I can only recommend for you to try the food yourself, but what I can do is show you the design.
The modern interior is clean, minimal and filled with high quality furniture. The color scheme is kept interesting with pops of bright red and yellow against the monochrome overall look. The story of the butcher and the cow is carried through the whole restaurant: the waiters wear leather aprons, porcelain cow ears are used as coat hooks on the walls and illustrations along with phrases (lovely typography) spelled out with neon lights on the walls keep it interesting. One of my favorite detail is the porcelain versions of those disposable paper plates you normally use at picnics and the cool brown craft paper take away boxes.
A whole team of talented professional is behind the design of the place. Interior design was done by Aguinaldo Santos Junior, graphic design by Magdalena Weyrer and Sabrina Hackl, Tobias Federsel being the author of the story and Isabella Derflinger the designer behind the waiters clothing. It’s the effort that was put into everything that makes a stylish entirety. I could go on and on about the little things that make the place magical, but to make things easier, just walk over to Opernrign 11 and find yourself a table. Enjoy!
