If you are looking for an amazing restaurant in the beautiful village of Kössen, Austria. Look no…read morefurther. You will definitely find it at the Sonnenhof Restaurant located in center of the village. Upon entering the restaurant I was made feel very Welcome. I was seated to my table and handed a menu. My waiter gave me plenty of time to read over the menu. I felt no rush at all from the very time I entered the restaurant till I left. I ended up enjoying an amazing Stiegl beer. When I decided on my order. I ordered two appetizers and my main course. To my amazement my first appetizer arrived and I had plenty of time to enjoy it. Upon finishing my first appetizer. My Waiter Borris cleared off the table and brought me my second appetizer. I ordered the French Onion Soup! The French Onion Soup was absolutely amazing! Actually beyond Amazing! It was the best French Onion Soup I have ever tasted in my life. I am in my late 40's and definitely know a great French Onion Soup from my years of life. After finishing my French Onion Soup. My Waiter brought my main entrée. I ordered an amazing steak and French Fries. Everything tasted perfectly. Lastly I decided to have a dessert. I ordered pancakes with Ice-cream. To compliment my dessert I ordered a cappuccino and a Baileys Irish Cream. My waiter was very professional and very attentive. Everything I ordered tasted delicious and above par! I ended up having a Great Conversation with the chefs afterwards! You can tell they love their professions and take a lot of pride in their work! Everyone made me feel very Welcome. It should be noted that I am originally from Dublin, Ireland, Lived In the United States for over thirty years and traveled all over the world with the United States Marines. I definitely know a Great Restaurant from my life experiences and travels all over the world! You won't be disappointed! Sonnenhof Restaurant rates five stars and more! A must visit when in the beautiful village of Kössen! I definitely will be returning to this amazing restaurant in the near future!

I recently spent several days visiting good friends living in Rettenschöss, Austria, and while I…read morewas there I had a chance to go out with them to a number of places in the Tirol, including Zur schönen Aussicht. Unfortunately it was at night so I didn't get to see the "nice view" but I did enjoy a really excellent meal. Because there were ten of us, my friends pre-arranged our dinner with the proprietor -- so as I understand it our meal was "off menu" but a "specialty of the house" for those who make the necessary arrangements. We started off with perfectly poured glasses of cold beer. Shortly afterward, heaping bowls of tangy Tirolean potato salad arrived. While not as sweet or sour as the northern German recipe my family makes, it was still creamy and delicious. I had several helpings. A few minutes later the server brought out platters loaded with oven roasted pork ribs, potatoes, carrots and onions. Baskets full of freshly baked bread and bowls full of gravy rounded out the main course. In the United States ribs usually means BBQ and a spicy "red" sauce. Here the ribs are prepared more like the oven roasted pork loin and veggies that my German grandmother made for Sunday dinner when I was growing up. In fact, when I tasted my ribs and the potatoes swimming in gravy I was instantly transported back to my childhood and my grandma's cooking. The perfectly seasoned, rich, unctuous, roasted flavors are the very definition of comfort food for those of us whose culinary roots trace back to places like Germany and Austria. After a few more helpings of ribs and veggies I took one more piece of bread to sop up all the remaining gravy and flavor and proudly joined the "clean plate club." I was too full for dessert (even though the parfaits looked wonderful), but a couple of glasses of traditional Tirolean schnapps, "Ein kleines bier," and another hour or so of conversation and fellowship with my friends did wonders for my digestion! I highly doubt that Zur schönen Aussicht will be the next off the beaten path hot spot for the foodies of the world. But thankfully where ever you go there are places like this that honor the culinary and cultural traditions of their region with expertly prepared traditional dishes and wonderful hospitality. And thankfully there are friends like mine that can open the door to an unforgettable evening.