Despite my initial resistance to dining at Wesn in the one-eyed village of Lauffen, the meal was well exceeded expectations. The restaurant is like an Austrian style pub with wood panelling and traditional décor. Wesn is a small, family-run restaurant, where the owners’ children charmingly come to chat to diners at their tables.
Surprisingly for Austria, Wesn offers a number of vegetarian options, with a large range of pasta and excellent salads. I was told by my fellow-meat eating companions that the steak is excellent. The portion sizes are extremely generous and the service is both quick and friendly.
Every Thursday from 6pm onwards, Wes´n serve ribs cooked in the Austrian style, called ‘Ripperl’, served with ‘Krautsalat’, a kind of cabbage salad. On the first Thursday and Wednesday of every month, there is a pasta evening. The chef prepares 10 small pasta dishes served in pots, (the tenth variety being a pudding) and it is advertised as ‘all you can eat’. For both of these evenings, a reservation is essential.
You can find Lauffen on the road between Bad Goisern and Bad Ischl, driving from Haus Mirabelle, the turning is after the Church on the left, take a sharp left and take care on this busy road.
http://www.wesn.at.tt/
Tel.: 06132/24713
I wish that I could share my enthusiasm for the culinary experiences at K&K, Bad Ischl and Bella Italia at Bad Aussee. The food at Bella Italia was unimaginative pizza and pasta, complete with a spaced out waiter who managed to overcharge. K&K remains a firm favourite for cocktails, winning national accolades, but a venue which I would avoid for dining, (despite previous recommendations). The owner of K&K walked past our table on several occasions and did not stop to greet us or enquire how we were enjoying our food.
So frequently in Austria, businesses lack professionalism and seem to be almost in contempt of their customers. The food was passable but not a place where any of us would return for another meal, the duck was tough, the rice dish was stirred into the sautéed vegetables and generally the experience left us uninspired. However, this might have been overlooked had the service been more personable as a little hospitality and warmth, can sometime forgive below par food.
Travelling further from Bad Goisern towards Bad Aussee and Bad Altausse, you will find the Blaa Alm. This is in the neighbouring province of Styria. The Blaa Alm is situated in a small valley surrounded by a stunning mountain range. The Alm is next to a cross-county ski loipe and in the surrounding grounds there is an adventure playground for children and a marmot enclosure. (If you are looking for additional activities to make a day trip worthwhile, there is nearby alpine and cross-country skiing and in the non-Winter months a climbing area for adults and children). The Blaa Alm is a traditional hunting lodge, serving no nonsense Austrian food. In the Summer months, take advantage of sitting outside and enjoying the scenery.
The Blaa Alm is open 7 days a week and booking for larger parties is recommended. On the drive back from Altaussee, take a detour via Grundlsee for some of the most scenic routes in Austria.
http://www.blaa-alm.co.at/
Telefon: 03622/71102
Lichtersberg 73
8992 Altaussee
