Evelyn Rose — Restaurant in Vienna

Recently, I dined at Evelyn Rose. I sat at the bar and spoke with Maggie, the bartender. The service, not just from her but from every food runner, was exceptional. Whenever a new course arrived, a staff member described it in detail. At the end of the meal, I spoke with Sam, the owner.

I enjoyed their tasting menu, which included a canapé (a small starter), a first, second, and third course, a pre-dessert, and dessert. I also enjoyed two delicious cocktails and a glass of port with dessert. The entire experience was immaculate, but I’d like to highlight each menu item and one of the drinks. Everything was so beautiful; I wish I had taken pictures.

The canapé was a small crab cake with a green sauce. The crab cake was incredibly meaty and juicy. The sauce was fresh and herby, with a little kick—it reminded me of jalapeño. The canapé left me excited for my first course. Less than a minute after I finished the dish, the next plate was presented.

The first course was beautiful. About twelve mussels (no shells) in a perfect circle over a bed of ratatouille with a rich sauce filling the base of the plate. I usually do not eat oysters or mussels, but the Salt Spring mussels were incredible. They were mildly sweet and incredibly tender. The ratatouille consisted of finely diced vegetables cooked to perfection. They held their shape and almost had a crunch-- an excellent texture juxtaposition with the shellfish. Finally, a rich, buttery saffron emulsion tied the entire dish together. I wanted to eat the sauce like soup. The entire dish reminded me of escargot with its rich, buttery flavors and plump, meaty shellfish.

I was most excited about the second course, and I did not have to wait long. A crisp, Chesapeake soft-shell crab greeted me over a helping of beans and sweet corn. The crab was covered in hollandaise and crispy rice flakes. The crab was meaty with a light but crisp shell. The (beautifully pink) cranberry beans paired excellently with the sweet corn kernels, creating a hearty base for the crab. Finally, a buttery hollandaise with hints of lemon married the veggies and crab. This was my favorite course.

The third course was veal, served medium rare, over roasted red pepper and Gigante beans with a red wine sauce. I am apparently not well-versed in veal because I expected a dark outside and deep pink inside. It looked more like pork, light in color with a mild pink inside. The meat was extremely tender. The beans and peppers were delicious and balanced nicely with the red wine sauce.

The pre-dessert course was a single scoop of a housemade shiro plum sorbet. I was told that Shiro plums are especially delicious, and I must agree. The sorbet was thick, similar to a mostly frozen banana, but the flavor was pure plum. It was sweet and almost syrupy but also a little tart. I got to meet the pastry chef who created the desserts, and she was very nice.

The final course was dessert: an avocado chocolate mousse with berry compote, toffee, and chocolate cookie chunks. The mousse was thick, rich, chocolatey, and delicious. Crunchy toffee and crumbly cookie added a nice change of texture, and the berry compote added a diversity of flavor. It was so incredible that I only wish I had more!

The food was obviously delicious, but it would be regrettable not to write about my favorite cocktail I enjoyed that night: the Toasted Sesame “Old Fashioned.” Sitting at the bar, I had the pleasure of watching the bartender craft it. She used extreme precision and measurements to ensure a well-balanced cocktail. The Suntory Toki Japanese whisky was lighter than American whiskeys tend to be, and the toasted sesame cut the harshness of the liquor. Citrus, mild smoke, and nuttiness all came together in this perfect cocktail. I wish I could have one every day. I was told Sam, the owner, created this cocktail, and I told him how perfect it was.

Every element of this night was perfect. I could not recommend Evelyn Rose...

5/5: would definitely come back for all aspects!

TL;DR: Amazing food, great service and ambiance, moderately priced

Came here on a Thursday night with a last minute reservation for an early dinner. Reservations were booked out between 6-7:30, so highly recommend making a reservation.

VIBE: ~Super cutely decorated with a rustic but upscale feel ~Perfect for date night ~There is no signage (that I saw), so it may be easy to walk right past

SERVICE: ~Our server was super nice and attentive ~Checked in on us just the right amount

FOOD: ~Focaccia with olive oil (complimentary bread service): The focaccia had a nice crisp top and was so soft and spongy on the inside. Great bounce. The olive oil was so flavorful on it's own, you could tell it was high quality. Also nice to get complimentary bread, as most places now have started charging.

~Venison Tartare with Foie Gras (3.8 by itself, 4.25 with Foie Gras): Foie gras was an upcharge but so worth it. It was seared nicely but has a little stringy part. The venison tartare was so unique and had great flavor. Not too gamey.

~Pappardelle with lamb ragu - half order (5/5): we ordered this as basically an appetizer, but the full order could probably be an entree. The noodle were perfectly booked and had a nice chew. The flavor of the ragu was phenomenal and perfectly seasoned. It also really had the unctuousness that coated my whole palate wonderfully.

~Dry Aged Roseda Farms ribeye (4.5/5): The steak was seasoned so well! The edges were the best part, but the inside was a tiny bit tougher. The steak also had such a nice beef flavor which really highlighted the quality of the steak. The hollandaise was delicious and not overbearing. The vegetables were remarkably cooked.

~Rockfish (4/5): again, the fish was cooked and seasoned so well. The skin was nice and crisp, and the flesh was juicy and flavorful. Same about the vegetables as above.

~Fingerling sweet potatoes (5/5): this side was my FAVORITE part of the meal. I may be biased because I love sweet potatoes, but this was a style I've never had before. It comes with a variety of sweet potatoes (yam, white, purple) and the different cuts on it gave it a different mouth feel with every bite. The hot honey was so good. This dish is on the sweeter side, but the kick in the honey balances it out.

~Vanilla duck egg ice cream (5/5): So creamy and so delicious

~Chai cheesecake (3/5 for cheesecake itself; accompaniments were 5/5): Was a little disappointed that the cheesecake was just a normal cheesecake. Was expecting it to be chai flavored itself or at least have like a chai sauce on top. It came with a chai crumble which was delicious. Also came with roasted persimmons, whipped cream, and a persimmon sorbet which were so novel and also delicious (not too sweet).

Overall, this place was absolutely fantastic, and I can't wait...

We discovered Evelyn Rose through a TikTok recommendation, and what an absolute gem it turned out to be! We chose it to celebrate our 25th anniversary, and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary - from the service to the food to the thoughtful little touches that made the evening feel deeply personal.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality - but the true highlight of the evening was our server, Mahmoud. He was nothing short of phenomenal. Friendly, attentive, funny, engaging, and incredibly kind, Mahmoud elevated our entire experience with his energy and thoughtfulness. He anticipated our needs without ever hovering, made excellent menu suggestions, and kept the conversation light and joyful throughout the night. He struck that perfect balance between professionalism and personal connection, and it truly felt like we were being cared for by an old friend.

One of the most touching moments came when we opened our menus and saw “Happy 25th Anniversary” printed inside - such a thoughtful surprise that made us feel truly celebrated. It’s those little things, combined with Mahmoud’s genuine enthusiasm, that made this dinner feel like more than just a meal - it was an occasion.

We began with two appetizers that immediately showcased the kitchen’s skill and creativity: ✨ The Crispy Chesapeake Bay Softshell Crab was lightly fried with a beautiful crunch, balanced with bright, flavorful accompaniments that made every bite sing. 🌶️ The Gundagai Lamb Chili Relleno was unexpected and bold - tender, savory lamb wrapped in a smoky pepper, rich and satisfying without being heavy.

Our entrées were equally exquisite: 🌊 The Caramelized Hokkaido Scallops were buttery, sweet, and flawlessly seared, resting on a bed of complementary textures that brought everything together. 🍗 The Seared Amish Half Chicken was juicy, deeply flavorful, and cooked with such care that every bite felt like comfort and elegance combined.

And just when we thought the evening had peaked, dessert arrived: 🍫 The Brownie & Duck Egg Ice Cream Sundae was indulgent and luxurious, with rich chocolate and creamy ice cream playing beautifully off each other. 🍚 The Tonka Bean Arroz con Leche was delicate and aromatic, a silky, nuanced finish to an already perfect meal.

Evelyn Rose is more than a restaurant - it’s a love letter to hospitality, flavor, and attention to detail. Whether you’re marking a milestone or just seeking an unforgettable dining experience, this is the place. And if you’re lucky enough to be seated in Mahmoud’s section, prepare for a truly magical evening.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An anniversary we’ll never forget—thanks to Evelyn Rose...