Schärding, Austria
From Michelin Guide
In this tastefully decorated restaurant, old vaulted ceilings meet modern design elements. Lukas Kienbauer and his team can be seen at work in the open kitchen, skilfully bridge the gap between classic French and Japanese cuisine, and the culinary traditions of the Inntal. The combinations presented as part of the six-course set menu are packed with exciting flavours: think finely seasoned pigeon breast, roasted until perfectly pink and served with a wonderfully intense, glossy purple curry jus, or the exceptionally delicate foie gras flan and an aromatic ragout of glazed beetroot! There is an excellent selection of wines, to be perused on a tablet; interesting wine or alcohol-free pairings to accompany the set menu. Front of house, your charming and attentive hostess is also ably assisted by the chefs.
From Visitor Experiences
No Menu, Only Surprise Menus: Lukas Restaurant does not offer a traditional menu. Instead, guests choose between a full or shortened tasting menu, resulting in elegant nine-course surprise menus that are playful and sophisticated. The dishes are tailored seasonally and personally, based on guests' dietary restrictions and preferences communicated at reservation.
Use of Own Farm and Whole Animal Cooking: Chef Lukas Kienbauer often uses products from his own farm and cooks animals, such as poultry or fish, whole. This farm-to-table approach emphasizes quality and sustainability.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Pairing: Besides an extensive wine selection, Lukas Restaurant offers meticulously crafted non-alcoholic beverage pairings that complement the dishes, providing an alternative to traditional wine accompaniments without compromising on the dining experience.
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred Lukas Restaurant in Schärding are:
Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef: This is a highly prized, premium beef known for its exceptional marbling and tenderness. It is used to elevate dishes with its rich flavor and luxurious texture, reflecting the restaurant's blend of Japanese precision and local ingredients.
Cult Beef (Dry Aged Beef): Lukas Restaurant features house-dry-aged Cult Beef, which is aged in their own Dry Ager. This process intensifies the beef's flavor and tenderness, showcasing their expertise in meat preparation and grilling over a charcoal grill.
Local Ingredients from the Innviertel Region: The restaurant emphasizes high-quality, regional ingredients from its home area, the Innviertel, integrating them with Japanese and French culinary techniques to create unique, harmonious dishes.
Holzkohlegrill (Charcoal Grill): While not an ingredient, the charcoal grill is central to their cooking method, imparting distinctive smoky flavors to steaks and other grilled items, which is a hallmark of their signature dishes.
These ingredients and techniques combine to create a unique culinary experience that fuses Japanese elegance, French classicism, and local Austrian flavors, often presented in a surprise tasting menu format without a fixed menu.
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