Grand Lux Cafe cut the ribbon at its new venue in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex a couple of months back. The interior decor is unique and exceptionally reminiscent of an old Bohemian train station, which puts a smile upon my face.àThe Central Europeanàfeel is its biggest attraction and draws people such as myself to the restaurant, which is more than I can say for the cuisine.

H & A are aware that its kitchen is attempting to prepare an “American Fusion Cuisine,” but when it comes to its wide variety of international dishes, its “fusion,” H & A believe its food is “weak salsa.” It claims on its Web site that it went to Europe for inspiration. Well, H & A suggest it get some additional culinary experts to return to Europe along with owner, David Overton, because Grand Lux Cafe failed miserably in identifying the secrets of making the perfect Wienerschnitzel, which on its menu is two words. It is one word, get it right!à What in the hell were you doing in Vienna? I was truly excited when I saw the Wienerschnitzel on the menu and did not hesitate to order it immediately.àUpon receiving the dish, mere vision was all that was necessary in concluding a complete failure.àI was nearly as disappointed as I was when I first learned that the Wienerschnitzel fast food restaurants are hot dog joints.à

To begin, its schnitzel was never fried properly, giving it a bleak look – it is supposed to be crispy on the outside.à Secondly, its side dishes we receivedàcause us to assume they never went to Europe. Nobody in his or her right mind would dare to serve Bankrupt (blue cabbage) and mashed potatoes with Wienerschnitzel. Never have I received this combination of sides before in any region of Austria – the restuarant’s fusion is causing confusion. Furthermore, as an Austrian, I find it completely stereotypical for to be served Saurkraut with my Wienerschnitzel, for Saurkraut is reserved for a meal consisting of sausages.

Germanic people are not quite as fixated on Sauerkraut as Americans believe they are – hence not every authentic Germanic dish needs Sauerkraut.àIn addition, lemon wedges to mist the meat and fresh cranberry sauce to dip the meat is usually provided, which might cover up the high school cafeteria taste that was left in my mouth. Unless you specifically ask for a different type of meat in Austria, you will be getting pork: the other white meat. Now, you can fully understand the shock I underwent when the courteous waiter brought me this ridiculous dish.à

The veal tasted like someone poured a Pixie Stick on top and deeply fried it into my first heart attack.àFear not, a good Wienerschnitzel won’t be the juiciest piece of meat one ever eats, and that is simply the way it is supposed to be.à

This is why a potato salad or a mixed salad is always served with it where ever one goes in Vienna, and the cranberry sauce also provides moisture. Grand Lux Cafe is misrepresenting the Austrian/European community here in Dallas!àI believe the beautiful interior of the restaurant is simply not enough for customers to come back – the food has to differ from every other “Brinker” type mega-restaurant chain conglomeration that haunts American suburbs.à

I did not drive to north Dallas from downtown to eat the same crap I could get at any Chili’s restaurant. I hope Grand Lux Cafe takes this recommendation seriously or at least renames the Wienerschnitzel on its menu.à

In the current state, this dish does not speak well for its potentially fabulous restaurant. H & A, fair, balanced, telling you how it is.