October 23, 2010

Reflection in a Konditorei

Vienna, 2003

This is the mirror in the Demel Konditorei. This rococo style bakery and pastry shop was Royal Patisserie to the Emperors of Austria a couple of centuries ago. Now it's merely the most famous and expensive shop of its kind in Vienna. But they still make everything from scratch and by hand - no machines in this kitchen.

Perhaps it is therefore tantamount to sacrilege for me to say that I did not enjoy my cake. Oops!

And in case you're curious, this is a(n unimpressive) view of the pastry shelf.


Posting this for James' Weekend Reflections.

18 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Well, the pastry shelf looks pretty tempting, but I'm a sucker for sweets. SO bad for my blood-sugar, but the addiction persists. Glad to know you didn't enjoy your cake. Maybe that will help me. LOL
-- Kay

Kaori said...

Maybe they had slightly different tastes back then? ;-)

Sylvia K said...

Terrific reflections for the day, Francisca! Sorry you didn't enjoy the cake, but that might give you reason to try one of the their other goodies! And they do look good! Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

jennyfreckles said...

What it lacks in taste it makes up for in grandeur.

Kim, USA said...

The pastry shelf looks old but the cake inside looks yummy!! Happy weekend!
The cabin

joo said...

It's unfair Francisca - it's too late to eat and the second photo simply made me hungry!!
Have a nice weekend:)

Lowell said...

Looks a little too hoity-toity for my tastes. But bless the well-to-do and the rich, too, for they can have elegant bakeries and patisseries at their beck and call.

I don't think it's sacrilegious for you to not like your cake or to say you didn't like your cake. Hells bells, you'd think a royal pat on the whatever could make a decent cake! ;-)

That mirror is surely impressive!

Oh, re the mountain goats: No, the bigger one belongs to our son-in-law and the smaller to our daughter. These things take them places they couldn't get too otherwise...I don't like 'em much, though. Noisy and scary!

'Tsuki said...

I hope what they sell measure up to the setting of the place ! Nice catch on this one...

Gemma Wiseman said...

An exquisite little shop! It reminds me of jewellery display cabinets!

Pat Tillett said...

I am now officialy in need of a pastry! Thanks!
I just read your page about "home." Now I get it...

Jeannette StG said...

Guess the baker had a bad day:) Hope next time will be better! But the reflections are great!

cieldequimper said...

I'm with Joo, it IS unfair. And you had to do this to us with Demel too. I know a lot of people like to say they are the best in the world, but if anyone is, then it Demel.

Louis la Vache said...

«Louis», who would like to open a boulangerie-pâtisserie found this post to be very interesting. One, he found it interesting that they do not use machines. Secondly, he's quite curious (perhaps this should be first!) as to why you didn't enjoy your cake. Are they resting on their reputation?

tapirgal said...

Tell it like it is, there, F! Famous is not always fantastic.

Francisca said...

@everyone... Ciel is right, they are not just resting on their laurels and deserve their reputation. My mother and brother who were with me that day both savored their choices. The trouble could be me: I am not a big cake eater to begin with and the piece I chose just didn't make my taste buds sing -- perhaps ruined by overly high expectations. Can't win 'em all.

Laura said...

loving the yummy reflections!

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm so sorry you didn't enjoy your cake! I'm glad you took this photo though.

Unknown said...

A feast for the eyes. I like the look of the place. Maybe I'll just have coffee.