Coming Soon: Banter Irish Bar and Kitchen

Old Vienna Cafe will be reopening by St. Patrick's Day as Banter Irish Bar and Kitchen. According to one of the owners, "we are aiming for a higher end Irish-centric menu with quality drink and excellent service. I think the people in this neighborhood will be pleasantly surprised by what we have in store."

He adds, "We are currently doing a little bit of work but are remaining open for the time being before we are completely ready to return. At which point we will be closed for a little while to put on the finishing touches."

Latest on Old Vienna

According to a commenter on this blog a week or so ago, in case you missed it (kinda got buried in the storm coverage):

Old Vienna Cafe on Queens Blvd is turning into an Irish bar/ restaurant in a few weeks. Same owners as lately. The "new owners" in the window.

A New Old Vienna Cafe

Old and misguided, the restaurant last year.

Old Vienna Cafe says it is under new ownership and has unveiled a new menu offering more American-style, diner-type food. The move is not surprising. Most of the times I've gone there in the year since it opened, or have walked by it, the place has looked like it was on its last legs—with barely a customer inside. And I always thought this was a huge shame, and an enormous missed opportunity. The location, right next to the Midway Theater, and with outdoor seating to boot, has the potential to be a huge draw—that is, if it was the kind of place Forest Hills and the nearby neighborhoods were looking for. A cafe offering extremely expensive Eastern-European culinary specialties was never that.

Some ideas my friends and I have had for the spot included everything from a laid-back, independent coffee shop with plush couches, newspapers spread about, etc.. to the kind of place they are now attempting—a regular restaurant offering burgers, sandwiches, etc.. Forest Hills is sorely lacking a really good place just to get that type of food. (Don't get me started on the local diners. I gave up on T-Bone long ago after the time I ordered the shrimp salad and was given a scoopful of mayonaise with celery in it and not one shrimp. The newer Forest Hills Diner way down Austin St. is better—in a pinch it will provide you sustenance. But I would hardly call it an enjoyable eat.)

So, what Old Vienna is trying is definitely a step in the right direction. But just one thing: Change your name! If you are under new ownership , have a new menu, and have even changed the decor inside to reflect your new personality, change your goddamn name! If you did that, you may stand a chance. But until you do, everyone going by is going to think you're the same, misguided, confused eating establishment. Changing everything but your name just perpetuates the confusion and probably continues the countdown to when someone else will have a go at trying to make your prime corner location a hit.

Early Impressions: Old Vienna Cafe

I stopped by the Old Vienna Cafe on its opening night Saturday. I really liked this very original and unique new restaurant. You really get the feel you are visiting a restaurant in Vienna or Eastern Europe, from the table in the center loaded with small pastries, to the accordion player serenading you, to the decorative chandelier. It all makes for a very cool place to relax and unwind with friends. Oh, and did I mention the coffee and cake are delicious?

The menu includes a variety of small plates and sandwiches such as a cheese platter, and assorted tea sandwiches; entrees like mixed grill kebabs, bratwurst and weiner schnetzeil; salads; wines and imported beer; teas and coffees, and a variety of desserts like fruit tarts, vienna cheesecake and creme brulee.

Also, though the atmosphere in Old Vienna Cafe is very relaxed and fun, I would characterize this as a fairly upscale restaurant. The prices can be a bit steep ($8 for the slice of cake in the photo below, $23 for weiner schnetziel, $5 for a cappuccino and $8 for some of the beers.) But, hey, you get to listen to a fabulous accordion player as you soak up the Eastern European vibe. So I guess you're paying some for the unique atmosphere. I only tried their dessert and coffee, which were really good, so can't vouch for the entrees or appetizers.

Here are some pics I snapped. I will scan and upload their entire takeout menu soon.

New Opening Day for Old Vienna Cafe

I was told last night that this new cafe, next to the Midway Theater, will actually now be opening this Saturday, FYI. Originally, the Grand Opening had been planned for Thursday.

By the way, just a few comments about other restaurants here in town. I walked by the new Agora Taverna Greek restaurant last night at around 8:30 p.m. and it was packed with tables inside and outside all taken. That place is a huge hit.

Also, by now I have had both breakfast and lunch at the new La Boulangerie French cafe/bakery. Yesterday I tried their croissants and coffee and both were top notch. As many have already said, this is such a nice addition to our neighborhood, and the proprietors are so welcoming and friendly. I wish them all the best of luck.

A Peek Inside Old Vienna Cafe

Judging by the size of the tables, looks like this will mostly be a place for coffee or light fare... It opens this Thursday.

Outdoor Seating

The great new restaurant Agora Taverna on Austin has set up its outdoor seating.... Very nice indeed.

Also, my top-notch reporter noticed this sign below on the soon-to-open Old Vienna Cafe. This is kind of expected given that the previous restaurant in this location near the Midway Theater also had outdoor seating. By the way, the ominous, Independence Day-like countdown clock website now lists 2 days remaining: http://oldviennacafes.com/

Awaiting Old Vienna

I am very curious to see what the new Old Vienna Cafe is like when it opens in the space next to the Midway Theater. So far I have run across an application for the place's signage that calls it "Old Vienna Cafe & Bakery."

I've also found a website, which seems authentic, except for the plural "s" at the end...The website has an ominous "Independence Day" movie—like countdown clock, announcing the arrival of either this website, or the restaurant itself, in something like 5 days and touts: "Bringing Classic Viennese Cafe Traditions to Forest Hills, NY 11375"
See for yourself at:
http://oldviennacafes.com/


I also ran across a help wanted ad for a waiter or waitress describing Old Vienna as "an upscale restaurant," and an application for a liquor license.

A Little Old World Charm

I, for one, really like what they have already done to the look of the former La Terrazza restaurant site next to the Midway Theater, as they transform it into the Old Vienna Cafe. Notice in the upper left portion of the photo below how they are changing the windows to give them a touch of that old world look and feel... How cozy and European of them! This was taken on Friday and I believe they have already finished these changes to the exterior. I can just imagine myself going to Old Vienna Cafe on a cold, dark day in winter and cuddling up with a hot cup of coffee. I am very intrigued to see what they do with the inside.

And here is a shot of the new store that has come in to where the old Cards N' Such used to be on Austin. Welcome Prima Donna, which from a quick glance, seems to stock many a lady's handbag:

Old Vienna Cafe to Replace La Terrazza

More big restaurant news tonight. One of our readers says a sign is up on the old La Terrazza restaurant site, next to Midway Theater, for what is to come next: Old Vienna Cafe. Sounds enticingly exotic, doesn't it? This could be interesting...