In 2021, “Hank and Frank” moved into the premises of the former Restaurant Mozart in Vienna’s 15th district. The attempt to serve vegan dishes in a very Instagram-ready ambience to a hip audience was apparently not entirely successful. In the summer of last year, there was a reorientation and dishes for carnivores were introduced. We were out and about for you and tested it: This is what Let’s be Frank Vienna tastes like!
Flexitarian Eatery & Bar
First of all, the self-definition as a Flexitarian Eatery sums it up pretty well. The aim of the concept is to gather hungry mouths of all food beliefs around one table and satisfy them. And it succeeds. The idea of juxtaposing vegan dishes with meat alternatives is very appealing. Maybe it’s the other way round, but everyone can make that decision for themselves. For the same price, you have the option of beef or jackfruit goulash, cabbage or ham fritters and mushroom or Wiener schnitzel.
The operator is of course aware of the fact that this will not persuade vegans or vegetarians to eat meat. However, the possibility that it could work the other way round, namely to make a more resource-friendly version of the meat lover’s favourite meal palatable, does not seem out of the question. And it is certainly worth a try.
What’s on the menu at Let’s be Frank Vienna?
As already mentioned, the vegan main courses are contrasted with meat dishes. The starters are a little different. We chose the Mango Avocado Tartar and the BBQ Cauliflower Wings. The former tastes very refreshing and is certainly a good tip, especially in summer. It is served with fried onions, which gives it a crunchy note. The dish is not particularly regional or seasonal, which could be a theme in the context of the surroundings (but we admit, we ordered the tartare voluntarily in the knowledge of this). The cauliflower wings, on the other hand, are simply good, perhaps even the best in Vienna. Served with jalapeños, they have a pleasant spiciness and the texture is perfect.
In a direct comparison of the burgers, we pitted the Crispy Mushroom Burger against a classic Smashed Double Cheeseburger. The vegan version won the duel. Particularly convincing was the spicy, homemade sauce. The baked mushroom was crispy and tasty as promised. The cheeseburger was good, but the Dijon mayo drowned the overdone patty a little. Fries have to be ordered separately, but unfortunately they are rather average frozen goods. A plus point for the fine beer selection. In addition to Chiemseer Hell and Weihenstephaner Weitzen, there is a Reininghaus Jahrgangspils on tap – always a recommendable choice.
The Vibe
The location cannot deny its past as a Viennese “Gasthaus”. Numerous small seating niches, the classic bar and the old panelling radiate a quaint charm. This is contrasted by hip elements and the green lighting, which changes to red at 10 p.m., which, together with the numerous plants, creates a certain jungle feeling. All in all, it’s a successful mix that only takes a little getting used to.
Should yo go?
Let’s be Frank Vienna offers an interesting combination of the most diverse elements, which definitely promises a varied evening. Not all of the dishes met our taste, but overall we would still recommend a visit. The friendly service is very eager and accommodating, even if we had the impression that they were a little overwhelmed at times. Tip: The Speak Easy bar The Chapel is located in the same building and offers some unusual drinks!
Let’s be Frank
Haidmannsgasse 8, 1150 Vienna, Austria
letsbefrank.at
