Café at the Palais Wellenstein — Restaurant in St. Pölten

Had a birthday lunch there these days.

Nice ambience and cosy place. Waiter very attending and quick with our drinks. We waited for a friend, so we just had a starter meanwhile.

Fritattensuppe: First reaction of one of our friends, who had it too: "there aren't any Fritatten!". And indeed, there could have been more Fritatten in our soup. The broth was rather on the salty side. So, no winner at all.

Then finally our missing friend arrived, they were taking our orders for main course. At 12:45 the lunch special was sold out already... Not their fault.

The problem was, that Tafelspitz was the only 'main course' food they offer.

Seriously, if you look at the menu and consider that 'bread' shan't be a main dish.... there is nothing else. Just bread and sandwiches and side salads.

The only alternative was the Zartes Rindersteak auf knackigem Salat. What a disaster!

First we've been told, they prepare the ordered vegetarian burgers ahead, so the oven won't get in touch with meat. Alright then.

But our two steaks arrived AFTER the first veggie burgers have been aten already. No clue why?

The Zartes Rindersteak auf knackigem Salat itself was badly overcooked and far away from "zart". There was nothing tender on it. To increase the inability to eat that, was the countless rosemary bits. Rosemary on it's stem - good for taste. Throw it away before serving. Cut the rosemary into little bits - can't get rid of them anymore. Will get stuck between your teeth. No good.

The crispy salad bed turned out to be a rather chop-suey-style fried mountain of soggy vegetables.

Potatoes were tasty. But the steak should have played the main role - not some lukewarm potatoes.

Wife's vegetarian burger: It has been recommended to her. Had just a bite - but enough. No, the patty does not taste like meat. No, the patty does not smell like meat. No, even the texture is more rubbery, spongy, like a cake didn't rise. The 4 (four!) chips on the side didn't help that dish neither. Oh, and if you serve something to be eaten with your hands, I would wish for more than one flimsy napkin.

Cake was alright. That's what granted the third star. Because....

Coffee: was not good either. Too bitter/hot brewed. No milk or sugar could hide that taste, sorry.

The cherry on top is, that the place is quite pricey. Usually I don't mind to pay good money for good food. But this does not...

I went here for three days in a row for breakfast. I was in town for work and the cafe it’s across the street from where I was working. The place is beautiful. There’s a lot of space and in the morning is very nice cause sunlight kiss the seat upfront the windows. Staff is very nice and polite and the food I had was delicious. And the cappuccino too. I’m only sad that I ordered Yogurt, crunchy muesli, nuts and banana but the muesli wasn’t crunchy and there were no nuts.. but perhaps it’s because they recently reopened after long time. I fell in love for the dark bread though. And their menu is very large, not only for breakfast but for other meals and drinks and cocktails. Can’t wait to come back in town...

Das stilvolle Palais-Ambiente mit seinen hohen Decken und historischen Bögen macht jeden Besuch zu etwas Besonderem. Besonders hervorzuheben ist das Deluxe-Frühstücksbuffet am ersten Sonntag im Monat: liebevoll zusammengestellt, abwechslungsreich und ein wahres Fest für alle Sinne. Auch das reguläre Frühstück überzeugt – kreativ, sorgfältig ausgewählt und von ausgezeichneter Qualität. Die Bedienung ist stets freundlich, aufmerksam und sorgt dafür, dass man sich rundum wohlfühlt. Die Burger – begleitet von köstlichen Kartoffeln – sind absolut empfehlenswert und gehören für mich zu den besten in St. Pölten. Nachmittags und abends herrscht eine besonders gemütliche und stimmungsvolle Atmosphäre. Man fühlt sich sofort willkommen, bleibt gerne länger sitzen und kehrt immer wieder zurück. Dieses Café ist für mich eine der schönsten Adressen...