It is not surprising that game cuisine is a tradition in Austria. Elegant and sophisticated Austria as old as the country itself with much history. One thinks Mozart and music when one thinks of Vienna, or its Roman empire, or 17th century battle with the Ottomans.

A 2,000-year old city rivals Paris for elegance and culinary tradition. It is a well defined sophisticated city and parallels some of Paris best michelin experiences as a culinary destination.

Under the control of Chef Heinz Reitbauer, he is well known for growing up working at his parents restaurant Steirereck. After taking over the restaurant he has focused on becoming one of Europe’s most prominent chefs.

Chef Reitbauer handles ingredients in a way that many parisian chefs wouldn’t dare. This season venison is excellent and you can see the preparation is by Heinz Reitbauer who clearly adores using domestic products.

The plates are his canvas and it becomes obvious by his use of contrast and flavour. This course is Austrian beef, the taste of a cow ensues without hormones. The beef is dark and deep in taste, earthy meat rich in iron.

A meaty taste even beefy, yet it has the charcter you expect from quality aged beef. In the end we were invited by a friend and we had little choice, I don’t think I even saw the menu, it was the chef’s choice omakase. There is no question Steirereck is one of those gastronomical experiences that leaves you the feeling that Austria ranks as a top culinary country.