Acclaimed chef Eduard Frauneder first introduced New York diners to his Austrian fare in 2008, when he opened the now-shuttered Seäsonal Restaurant and Weinbar in midtown Manhattan with his partner, chef Wolfgang Ban. Two years later chef Edi, as he’s know, followed up with East Village eatery Edi & the Wolf, then soon after with Greenwich Village cocktail bar and brasserie Freud NYC. The latest establishment by the mastermind, Schilling, opened last month in the Financial District. The restaurant's name pays homage to the former Austrian currency, which was replaced by the euro in 1999, and nods to the trade from which the neighborhood gets its moniker.
The restaurant epitomizes the rustic-chic aesthetic.
The 70-seat restaurant was designed by fellow Austrian Florian Altenburg. Small and cozy, the rustic space showcases gray brick walls and a weathered barn-wood ceiling. Large tufted banquettes line the sides of the dining room, which is anchored by a 24-seat walnut communal table. Overhead, bronzed factory lights brighten up the room. In the front of the restaurant a garage door retracts during the summer months for alfresco dining, and there’s a partially enclosed garden in the back.
Summertime diners can enjoy fresh air.
The menu features chef Edi’s signature Austrian cuisine, though this time around he’s added a Mediterranean touch. For small plates, try the grilled crostini with crushed fava beans and fresh ricotta cheese, or the beef carpaccio with crispy artichokes, purslane, Grana, and rémoulade. Some of the highlights for larger plates include the beloved wiener schnitzel and spätzle, as well as the braised lamb shoulder with Israeli couscous, harissa, confit tomatoes, mustard greens, and pistachio crumble.
In the back of Schilling, a 15-seat, U-shaped bar entices tipplers with a Viennese-inspired cocktail menu, though you can’t go wrong with an Old Fashioned or a White Negroni. The extensive wine list and offering of draft beers focus on selections from central Europe.
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109 Washington St., New York; schillingnyc.com