Suburbian imperialism (Dommayer)

Member Name: Morgenhund

Product:	Dommayer
Date:	07/09/04 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relaxing surroundings, Good breakfast

Disadvantages: Bit out of the way, Not recommended if you are in a hurry.

I discovered Café Dommayer some three years ago, when a friend suggested meeting up for a drink after teaching yesterday, as it was on the way home for both of us. Dommayer is in Hietzing (Vienna?s 13th district) and is the suburban attempt at emulating the style of the Austro-Hungarian empire à la Griensteidl, albeit in the somewhat sedate environs of Hietzing rather than a mere stone?s throw from the Hofburg. The café is more or less walking distance from Hietzing Underground station (on the U4 towards Hütteldorf), although the tram lines 58 and 60 both pass within a stone?s throw of the place.

The café seems especially popular with people wanting to unwind after work, and its pleasant terrace, which during the summer months is usually pretty full, as the temperature is still around 25°C up until 10pm, with the inside seating area being fairly empty. The café is open from 7am until midnight, and tends to fill up around 6pm when people start to return from work. There are large umbrellas so you can get some shade, and although you are relatively near to a main road, it is not excessively noisy, and although the trams go past fairly frequently, it is still a nice quiet place to sit and while away a couple of hours and take the time to unwind.

Inside they have attempted to recreate the Griensteidl feel, although possibly it is like Griensteidl, namely too twee, and not quite as rough as a truly decadent coffee house would have been. There are chandeliers over the tables, and orchids at each table, although if anything this shows the overkill of the place. The service is typically Viennese, i.e. a touch snooty, and with a slightly one sided form of urgency ? namely waiters who will hassle you to order very quickly, yet seem to be none too fussed about then serving you quickly, and it did seem as though most of them did not have that much idea of the prices of things on the menu, and there was still the slightly pushy rudeness, which is prevalent in s
uch establishments, and of course there would be absolute war were you ever to consider not tipping them.

There is a menu of traditional fayre ? breaded this and that, although most customers seem to come here to be seen nursing a couple of mineral waters. I did dare to try a gin and tonic, which will certainly probably not be repeated should I happen to go back ? the measures were very small and it was a bit of a g+T ? although something that is a slightly novel touch, you serve yourself ? the gin is in the glass, and you are left to add your own tonic water, and ice ? although sadly a slice of lemon is not offered.

Breakfast is something I have done at Dommayer a lot in the winter when needing sustinance before heading into the bank - what with my current girlfriend living close to Dommayer and her being as prone as I am to not having anything for breakfast in her flat. An adequate breakfast with some coffee will set you back about EUR 7 - for which you get assorted ham, cheese and bread rolls, with jam, butter and honey as well, as with a coffee or tea and a glass of orange juice as well.

Whilst I would not advocate making a trip here especially, if you are in the area and want to pass an hour or two, there are a lot less pleasant places than Dommayer. The coffee is generally good ? my friend recommends the Latte and it was easy to slump back in your chair and let the world go by, which is not possible in a lot of the cafés in the centre of Vienna.

From their website there are apparently also live classical music concerts in the summer, although I have yet to sample one of those. There is wireless internet access (via MetroNet), which I have used a couple of times, although I prefer to go to Café Latte with its free WiFi hotspot.

Summary: