27-10-2016
Petra and Oliver Lucas, husband and wife. She’s in the dining room, he’s in the kitchen, and since last June they sign the offer at Grace, the most interesting and hip restaurant in Vienna. Oliver is English and for many years he was the right arm of Heinz Reitbauer, chef at Steirereck, currently number 9 in the World's 50Best (photo credits diepresse.com)
Oliver Lucas first graduated in English literature from the University of Manchester, but kitchen soon became his real test bed. In the past 7 years, this lad from London was first chef de partie and then sous chef in Vienna at Steirereck (currently number 9 in the World's 50Best), the right arm of Heinz Reitbauer. Together the two chefs designed the menu of a restaurant much acclaimed by critics. Since last June Lucas started his own business with his wife Petra, adapting an old tavern with a nice garden for this purpose. It is probably already the most thrilling fine dining place in town. The restaurant, very small, seats only 16 people. The 4-course tasting menu is 48 euros, the 6-course is 66 euros and the 8 one (which is basically the entire menu) is 84 euros. These compositions have a sublime precision offered with humble simplicity and no frills: at Steirereck Lucas well understood that substance is much more important than pretentious dish presentations – an approach only the truly great chefs can pursue.
At Grace, seating a total of 16 people (photo kurier.at)
Grace Danhausergasse 3 Vienna, Austria +43.(0)1.5031022 Tasting menu: 48, 66 and 84 euros Closed on Sunday and Monday; open at lunchtime only on Saturdays
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born and living in Wien, Austria, he works as Der Standard daily newspaper food editor, he's the editor-in-chief of Slow Food Country Inns Guide. He also writes for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung