Cafe Sabarsky is located inside the “Neue Gallery” which has a strong collection of German and Austrian art including works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Paul Klee. The cafe is decorated in period objects, which presents a very traditional and classic Austrian ambiance. Kurt Gutenbrunner, head chief and co-owner of the Neue Galerie New York brings the Fin de Siecle Viennese culture to NYC with authentic Viennese specialties and traditional pastries with a wide selection of Austrian and German wines, beers, coffees, and teas. In the evenings (6-9pm) every Thursday night from October through May, Cafe Sabarsky holds live cabaret performances devoted primarily to German and Austrian music of the 1890′s to 1930′s. The live cabaret is preceded by a three course prix-fixe dinner ($110 includes performance & dinner).

I came to Cafe Sabarsky with a party of five for mid-afternoon tea and had to wait over 25 minutes. This places draws a crowd and they don’t take reservations, so waiting is almost unavoidable. They do offer a slimed downed version of the cafe with a more modern “grab and go” environment downstairs that does not require as long as a wait, but the menu is limited and the setting is no different than your average NYC cafe. If possible, I would recommend wait for the real deal. Definitely a great place to unwind and have a cup of tea or coffee. Their food is only satisfactory and often take a long time to prepare, but their desserts is a must try. Come for breakfast, brunch, tea, or dinner; you get what you pay for and most are not disappointed.

Avocado mit Krabbensalat und Tomaten – Avocado salad with crabmeat and tomatoes ($18)

Palatschinken mit Räucherforelle & Oberskren – Crêpes with Smoked Trout & Horseradish Crème Fraîche ($18)

Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut & Röstkartoffeln – Roasted Sausage with Riesling Sauerkraut & Roasted Potatoes ($14)