Mmmmm....cake....but not just cake-this is the Original Sacher Torte, served in the Cafe at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna and Salzburg. The recipe is closely guarded and has been kept secret for over 175 years. The Sachertorte is a chocolate cake (albeit a bit dry-although I found that the piece that I had in Vienna was actually pretty moist compared to the one I had in Salzburg) with a layer of apricot preserve and covered in a dense chocolate frosting that resembles ganache. It is served with unsweetened whipped cream, and as you see, I accompanied mine with a cappucino. Yum.
The experience of dining at the hotel is lovely. A walk through the lobbies of the both hotels reminds you are of a more genteel life...of sipping cocktails and wearing hats and gloves.
Although a bit touristy, it is a nice way to relax after a busy day of shopping and sightseeing. The hotel and cafe staff is attentive to your need for a moment of repose nestled in a busy day. When we visited the Vienna location as pictured in the photos above, we were able to walk right in and have lunch and cake. When we were exiting the building, a line had formed.
All this for the creation of a young baker's apprentice named Franz Sacher in 1832. His original recipe is still followed today and is often imitated, but never dupicated.
While friends were visiting, the girls decided to take an overnight trip over to Vienna. It is easy to get to by train and took just over 4 hours to reach from Munich central station. We arrived in the late afternoon, and with evening closing in around us, we walked around and took night pictures of the beautiful buildings. St Stephen's Cathedral, the Graben pedestrian area, the Parliament, the Hofburg, the Circus in front of the Rathaus and more. 
