Friday night date night and after a recommendation from my German colleague Maren we headed for Mutti's in Carlton.
I have to admit I had never heard of this place until the recommendation but Steve has a soft spot for Germany having lived there for a year during his university life. And I remember my high school German classes with Frau Poll and I owe my vocab knowledge to her. I have to admit I have committed to my memory the German words for the most random things - boiled egg, guinea pig, tortoise and how to give directions as long as it only involves going straight, then left or right and to the traffic lights!
Mutti's looks homely and less kitsch than the Hofbrauhaus. There's no stein swinging, no oompah band, no lederhosen. But there's a cosy atmosphere, dark wood tables, twinkly candlelight. And there is a suitable accented waiter for some authenticity.
So our Friday night starts with ein Bier und ein Almdudler mein Herr. Almdudler was described as an Alpine soft drink and basically tastes like sparkling elderflower cordial.
I have to admit I had never heard of this place until the recommendation but Steve has a soft spot for Germany having lived there for a year during his university life. And I remember my high school German classes with Frau Poll and I owe my vocab knowledge to her. I have to admit I have committed to my memory the German words for the most random things - boiled egg, guinea pig, tortoise and how to give directions as long as it only involves going straight, then left or right and to the traffic lights!
Mutti's looks homely and less kitsch than the Hofbrauhaus. There's no stein swinging, no oompah band, no lederhosen. But there's a cosy atmosphere, dark wood tables, twinkly candlelight. And there is a suitable accented waiter for some authenticity.
So our Friday night starts with ein Bier und ein Almdudler mein Herr. Almdudler was described as an Alpine soft drink and basically tastes like sparkling elderflower cordial.
The food items sound good and Steve and I deliberate for a while but don't feel rushed. The place is pretty calm and although we were there early ish, was also quite empty which was a shame. It could do with being a touch busier for a more convivial vibe.
Anyway Steve and I decide to share two entrees:
Pinzgauer Kaspressknödel
A fragrant beef broth served with handmade beer cheese dumplings and fresh chives
Paprika Topfenpalatschinken
Fine crepe spiced with sweet paprika and fresh herbs, filled with a variety of mushrooms and soft cows milk whey, finished with Prima Donna and Parmesan
The beef broth is surprisingly delicate and fresh with lots of green herby flavours. The dumplings were well seasoned and yummy pillows of cheesy goodness.
The pancake and mushrooms was exactly how it was described. Lots of melted cheese, mixed mushrooms and then a freshness to it from the sprinkled dill.
Both entrees were actually lighter than expected but rustically comforting at the same time.
Anyway Steve and I decide to share two entrees:
Pinzgauer Kaspressknödel
A fragrant beef broth served with handmade beer cheese dumplings and fresh chives
Paprika Topfenpalatschinken
Fine crepe spiced with sweet paprika and fresh herbs, filled with a variety of mushrooms and soft cows milk whey, finished with Prima Donna and Parmesan
The beef broth is surprisingly delicate and fresh with lots of green herby flavours. The dumplings were well seasoned and yummy pillows of cheesy goodness.
The pancake and mushrooms was exactly how it was described. Lots of melted cheese, mixed mushrooms and then a freshness to it from the sprinkled dill.
Both entrees were actually lighter than expected but rustically comforting at the same time.
Again we decided to share each other's main course and we opted for two traditional dishes. I couldn't get past spatzle especially as my most recent experience with it at Cafe di Stasio was disappointing and Steve couldn't deny the pork hock.
Kalbs Vögel (Grandmother's recipe)
Tender pieces of milk fed veal, braised with paprika, onions & spices and served with house made spätzle & fresh asparagus
Pork Hock for one
with golden crackling, cauliflower & potato crumble, apple sauce & caraway
& dark beer jus
The veal dish was really delicious. Huge chunks of veal braised in a really flavoursome sauce that was savoury and just on the right side of creamy. The spatzle was a delight and I could have eaten a bowlful with just the yummy sauce. The meat was just excess and very generous, I loved the tender asparagus too that just provided a freshness and texture that cut through the buttery and heavier spatzle and the rich meat and sauce. I would return for spatzle.
The pork hock was probably the disappointing dish. It just lacked the wow factor and the yumminess of the veal. I guess we expected one big piece of hock with golden crackling but when it came out there was a smallish hock and chunks of meat just in gravy and it wasn't very golden, just very dark and I can't remember the crackling so it can't have been that good.
Kalbs Vögel (Grandmother's recipe)
Tender pieces of milk fed veal, braised with paprika, onions & spices and served with house made spätzle & fresh asparagus
Pork Hock for one
with golden crackling, cauliflower & potato crumble, apple sauce & caraway
& dark beer jus
The veal dish was really delicious. Huge chunks of veal braised in a really flavoursome sauce that was savoury and just on the right side of creamy. The spatzle was a delight and I could have eaten a bowlful with just the yummy sauce. The meat was just excess and very generous, I loved the tender asparagus too that just provided a freshness and texture that cut through the buttery and heavier spatzle and the rich meat and sauce. I would return for spatzle.
The pork hock was probably the disappointing dish. It just lacked the wow factor and the yumminess of the veal. I guess we expected one big piece of hock with golden crackling but when it came out there was a smallish hock and chunks of meat just in gravy and it wasn't very golden, just very dark and I can't remember the crackling so it can't have been that good.
The hock did come with the cauliflower and potato crumble which was delicious and had Alpine nostalgia running through it.
Mutti's serves comfort food that is hearty and welcoming. Whilst some dishes were better than other, we cannot fault the generous serves and the comfort of the dining room. We were too full for dessert but in keeping with the German roots the mention of apple strudel did make us smile. Maybe next time we'll have spatzle and strudel.
Mutti's serves comfort food that is hearty and welcoming. Whilst some dishes were better than other, we cannot fault the generous serves and the comfort of the dining room. We were too full for dessert but in keeping with the German roots the mention of apple strudel did make us smile. Maybe next time we'll have spatzle and strudel.
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