Hawk & Griffin — Restaurant in Vienna

I visited on a Sunday morning for a pre-Premier League match viewing breakfast. I had also visited a few months before with family (one of whom is English), and we enjoyed the early dinner fare we ordered. So I thought getting an idea of an English breakfast sounded good before watching the big game. The atmosphere was reasonably quiet and subdued for the time and day, yet I liked hearing English accents from staff and customers and TVs fixed to Premier League football. Seating myself at the bar brought immediate attention and a quick follow-up to get my order of the full breakfast followed by pancakes with strawberry. Service overall proved straightforward and efficient.

Both dishes rewarded me well. Eggs cooked over easy as one might expect, and I have not had breakfast potatoes as joyously crispy as most anywhere I have eaten morning fare. The taste of proper English sausages does not have comparison, so I was pleased with my two rashers along with bacon in its original unadulterated form. Vegetables were cooked well, although I would have liked a thicker cut tomato with a little more grilling time. One should note multigrain toast here means sourdough with grain specks as explained by the helpful bar staff when I asked. I also enjoyed my first taste of black and white pudding, so overall I felt more than good about this sampling of English favorites. The pancakes came in generous portion, and the strawberry sauce tasted fresh and light. The pancakes themselves are as advertised between American pancakes and French crepes. The raspberry garnish seemed a little out of place but did nothing to diminish my successful cleaning of this plate as the first one. I do wonder overall if both dishes (strawberry sauce excepted) could have come with slightly more thermal heat. Food seemed to be at room temperature which struck me okay if not slightly below ideal. Overall however I would be more than glad to have an occasion or excuse enjoy these dishes again.

The total price including tax fell between $30 to $35, so I felt like I received a satisfying value for a Vienna eatery. My only other suggestion would be adding a bigger screen TV in the main dining area for an improved viewing experience. Otherwise I am pleased to have a place like this one within 10-15 minutes drive for me, and I anticipate returning in the future to enjoy more breakfast and dinner...

--- Update to the owner's response ---

Hi there. I wasn’t expecting such a heated response. I want to clarify a couple of things.

First, I didn’t "throw my husband under the bus"—I simply shared his reaction to the fish. He’s British, he’s had a lifetime of fish and chips, and his honest take was that the fish was overly wet. That’s not an attack; it’s just feedback from a customer with firsthand experience of the dish.

Second, regarding the chips. In my experience, fish and chips do usually come with either frozen fries or fresh-cut ones that are double-fried for a crispier texture. These were more of a soft, rustic-style fry, which felt unexpected for a dish known for its crunch. That’s why I mentioned them feeling more like an American interpretation—it’s less about the fact that they were hand-cut and more about the texture. I understand that you’re passionate about your food, but I think there’s a way to stand by your work without attacking customers for having a different perspective.

As for the coronation chicken, I think there was a misunderstanding. When I mentioned it being dry, I wasn’t expecting wet curry on lettuce—I was referring to the creamier consistency that coronation chicken usually has due to mayo or dressing. What I was served was more like a dry American-style chicken salad with curry seasoning, which is just different from what I was expecting. Just feedback, not an attempt to discredit your authenticity.

I respect that you have many happy customers, and I’m sure plenty of people love what you do. My review was just my honest experience of the meal I was served, which I believe is the point of reviews in the first place.

--- Original review --- Kinda yikes? Not trying to be rude, but honest. Went here with my husband who is British. I know people get real excited about “house cut fries” in the US, but it’s honestly a bit odd to see them served here for fish and chips. It’s like they’re trying too hard to be American’s stereotypical view of the British, i.e. quaint and old fashioned. Husband said the fish was overly wet, and asked me “What fish is this?” 😂. Also had the coronation chicken salad. Real coronation chicken has a lot more liquid/sauce. This was just American chicken salad with some curry spice and raisins.

Oh yeah, and when I asked for butter I got two hilariously small...

Our first visit was wonderful. We were excited to share this restaurant with our friends. Tonight I was embarrassed that we decided to go there.

We arrived and got sat no problem. After being seated for 15 minutes we get asked by the host if we would be willing to move to another table due to a handicap person needing the table. Which felt strange but not an issue. We asked where the table would be (since the we managed to get the last table when we had arrived). The host ran off to figure that out, a minute later a woman who we assumed was the manager(she never introduced herself) asked if we were sat by the host, then she ran off after we told her yes the host sat us there. We wouldn’t have minded moving so that a person could be accommodated, but it didn’t seem that there was a table to move us to, it seemed like they just wanted us to give up our table even though we had been there for 15 minute. They never moved us, so I assume there was no table for us to be switched over to.

After this we had ordered our drinks and appetizers, the food was fine. We then had to track down our server to be able to order our entrees. After it got dropped off, no one came to check to see if we needed anything else. We had to get up to find someone to get additional plates and items we needed for our meal. The women who we assumed was the manager came to check on the large party sat in the section near us but never once came to check on us to ask if our meal was to our liking or if we needed anything else. When we wanted to go once again, we had to track down our server to be able to pay and leave. It feels as if we were being ignored or punished for not moving for someone who arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes after we had gotten seated.

I work in the restaurant industry, I know how things can get busy and stressful but this was ridiculous. I was so excited and raved about this restaurant after the first time I went, now I’m not sure...