This is not going to be a review but a love declaration, I'm afraid. When Miznon opened up a few months ago, I read about it here and there. It caught my attention, but I still didn't see what's so special about it. Now I could sum it up as simple but amazing food plus cheerful, though laid-back southern vibes - but the best way is to go and see it for yourself.
Even when I first entered the place last evening, I was still not sure what its USP was going to be. OK, shabby-chic hipness now in the 1st district - for a change - with those must-have industrial ceiling lamps and all - that we have seen already. I thought pita will taste a bit more spectacular than elsewhere and that's it. But no, that was by far not it. Because luckily, we decided to sit at the bar. I think that way you can experience it best. And if you would stay long enough, I guess you would want to climb it and dance on it too. Luckily they are only open until 10:30pm since nothing else would work in this location. But I love to sneak a peek in the kitchen, and here you have the perfect opportunity. You see the organised chaos that's happening while your delicacies are being prepared. And no, I was not disturbed by them loudly shouting people's names when an order is ready. OK first I did think I'd go deaf if it continues, but after a while, I found it only charming. They say the place turns into a real party towards the evening, and I could see this gradual process. Between 7 and 8 it gets quite full, and more dynamic accordingly, The music gets funnier, not even louder, but you start paying attention to it, since they play a funny mix of songs - not like music snobs with the pretention to look cool from the outside, but only with the intention to have fun on the inside. This reflects on the crowd too, so you see that people are eating and having fun almost as if they were drinking in a bar. Something like that.
Which brings me to food. Their ratatouille is the best dish of the kind I have set my fork on. I had to wonder how you achieve the softness. It was almost like a spread - no veggies that need chewing, including melanzani skin. Cauliflower is a poem for itself, but I thought the way they serve an entire head is the best part. I learned how to eat a fresh (cooked) artichoke which they also serve whole, with aioli. Sauces that you can help yourself with from the window make you go crazy over the rest even more, because it all combines like a dream. I managed to get a few stains on my skirt, and I didn't mind. Dress casually, this is a place where you get dirty. It is street food after all, served in paper mostly, you will improvize a lot while eating but make sure you share whatever you can with whoever you came with.
In the end I spotted them carrying something resembling a tiramisu behind the bar - and I sure had to have it. They call it Tatami, a very simple and finally creamy cake for me - instead of some usual MohnObstKuchen - thank you for making creamy cool again, Miznon! Just like that cake, this restaurant is a real refreshment in the serious Viennese offer. Or if anyone knows a place with similar vibes, let me know. Until then - it feels good to finally have a Stammlokal in the 1st district!