Chef and owner Kurt Gutenbrunner grew up in a suburb of Vienna called Wallse. His West Village restaurant brings his native style and cuisine to New York. Wallse gave us the feeling that the people who dine here are absolute regulars. Everyone seemed comfortable with the staff as they settled in for a traditional meal with a contemporary flair, filled with Austrian favorites in a setting made for fine dining. Of course we had to order wiener schnitzel and a side of spatzle - everything that we tried was cooked to perfection. Gutenbrunner, who also happens to be an art aficionado, embodies the saying that every chef is an artist first. The artwork that can be found around every corner and on every wall of his restaurant space is made personally for him – one large painting is even a portrait of the chef himself. When we came back for a second visit, we found the restaurant newly expanded. A vacancy next door presented Wallse with the opportunity to add a second, more relaxed space with its own bar and small kitchen. It is meant to appeal to wider audiences, particularly the younger generation, but still offers up Chef Gutenbrunner’s delicious Austrian cuisine.
