Otto Bauer (Artsy) pleasure and sophisticated food in a relaxed ambience

Some people think of Otto Bauer as an Austrian politician, the committed social democrat and the founder of Austromarxism. But, instead, I think of good food and enjoyment. Otto Bauer, located a little off Mariahilfer Strasse in the sixth district, is one of my favourite restaurants in Vienna.

Chef Daniel Hoffmeister, who previously cooked in numerous award-winning restaurants, conjures up refined dishes that are simple but always with a unique twist. An example from last summer (which I immediately copied for my own kitchen): the team served the classic tomato-mozzarella with watermelon - in the form of a frozen granita. Instead of mozzarella, they used the incomparably creamier burrata, the tomatoes were confit, and the chives were not simply chopped but added as fine oil.

The menu changes with the seasons because the kitchen team emphasises locally grown ingredients. Spring, summer, autumn and winter - I tried my way through all the seasons and was never disappointed. Otto Bauer is one of those places where you go without looking at the menu because you know there will always be something good.

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I had a lovely salmon trout ceviche on my most recent visit, followed by braised winter beets with quinoa. This was accompanied by a mustard salad (wonderfully spicy) and a tarragon aioli (another idea I will definitely try).

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Another reason why I always enjoy eating here: The dishes are filling but light and the portions not too big. This usually leaves room for the delicious desserts: creamy chocolate tart with hazelnut milk or crema Catalana - an airy cloud nestled on pear compote and passion fruit sorbet.

If you can't make up your mind despite the straightforward menu, as everything sounds good, you should order the four-course chef's choice menu. Also recommended is the lunch menu with dishes that change daily: From Monday to Friday there is a vegetarian dish and one with meat or fish. There is also a soup of the day, cake and dessert.

The interior is simple and airy. Works by local artists hang on the walls. There is no need for more decoration. The art is the focus on both the walls and on the plate. An outdoor area for warm days got even nicer since the adjacent Otto-Bauer-Gasse has become a traffic-calmed zone.

And that brings us back to the name: It was simply obvious to name the restaurant after the street, an employee explains to me. But who knows, maybe Otto Bauer was not only a passionate advocate of democratic ideas but also a fan of very mundane culinary pleasures.