Tallulah M.
Yelp
It's been a while since my husband and I visited Vienna, but it's always a special occasion when we can fit it into our schedules. Unfortunately, this visit left us disappointed.
The first red flag was walking in to find the place empty--no one at the bar and only one table occupied, which is very unusual for Vienna. We decided to sit at the bar and noticed a new menu, though we were still able to order the Sambuca Shrimp appetizer (even though it wasn't listed anymore, which struck me as odd). The updated menu featured some unique items like boar, venison, and elk, which seemed intriguing. However, I was craving the "Chicken Vienna" I'd enjoyed so many times before, so I ordered it without even reading the menu.
When the dish arrived, it wasn't what I expected. Instead of the familiar preparation with chicken, tomato, and fingerling potatoes, it came out like a Thanksgiving dish--heavy cream base, peas, carrots, and who knows what else. Clearly, the dish had been changed, and while I'll take responsibility for not reading the menu, it would've been nice if the bartender had mentioned that it wasn't the same dish anymore. Instead, the attitude I got was essentially, "too bad, so sad." I can live with that, but it wasn't a great customer experience.
The final blow came with the bill. Everything is electronic now, and the tip is calculated based on not just the food but also taxes and added fees--yes, including credit card fees. On top of already-inflated prices, this felt excessive. After finishing our meal, it was easy to understand why the place was so empty.
Sadly, Vienna just isn't the warm and welcoming place it used to be. Eddy, who was the heart of the restaurant, is gone, and it's been downhill ever since. It's heartbreaking to see a place you love change like this. To the new management: listen to your customers. The old Sambuca Shrimp and Chicken Vienna were staples for a reason. While I don't believe the customer is always right, their feedback is valuable. Ignoring it could cost you the loyal following that made Vienna so special. We won't be back, but I hope others don't have to feel the same disappointment.