The Citiblog
Charley Takes a Trip to Vienna Via New Jersey
February 9, 2022, 7:57.15 pm ET
Photos: Rachel Vanni
Charley, a new Viennese bistro from hospitality innovator David Barry and acclaimed Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, has arrived in up-and-coming Harrison, New Jersey. The cozy 65-seat neighborhood joint, inspired by the culture of a Viennese Kaffeehaus, is offering a space for diners to gather over coffee, cocktails, and a meal. Gutenbrunner, the acclaimed chef behind Michelin-starred Wallsé in the West Village, grew up in a small village outside Vienna and is taking a more casual, neighborhood approach in this new endeavor.
Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner and David Barry
Charley’s menu features local and seasonal produce, showcasing the best of nearby farms and purveyors. Look for playful, shareable plates like Flammkuchen, a savory, Austrian flatbread with local bacon, caramelized onions, and wild arugula; Berlin Currywurst, thin-sliced pork bratwurst, onions, and house-made tomato-curry sauce; and a selection of open-faced, Viennese sandwiches served on organic rye with varieties including smoked salmon, spicy egg salad, pastrami, and sauerkraut.
Starters include Seasonal Greens drizzled with pumpkin seeds and tomato vinaigrette; Rainbow Beets slow roasted, served with alpine cheese, blackberries, and topped with a hazelnut crumble; and vegetarian Roasted Squash Soup with butternut and acorn squash, and coconut milk. Classics like Wiener Schnitzel, served with lingonberry jam, is counted among the entrees. Vegetarian options include Braised Artichokes with slow cooked root vegetables, asparagus, and basil; and Shitake Spaetzle with peas, tarragon, and alpine cheese. Austrian Desserts, such as Apple Strudel with cinnamon-spiced-raisins; and Krapfen, an apricot preserve filled donut, help finish out the meal.
Signature cocktails include concoctions like The Yodeller, a mix of bourbon, elderberry syrup, black walnut bitters, and whiskey barrel bitters is served with a side of trail snacks while the Freudian Slip is a play on a Moscow mule with pear brandy, allspice, ginger beer, lime, and candied ginger to garnish.
Expect a bohemian feel at Charley with a light blue-tiled 8 seat bar, Vienna Werkstätte-style wallpaper, with hints of pop art and concert posters of Nina Hagan, The Boss, and Kraftwerk. The outdoor, sheepskin-strewn terrace includes a Bauhaus-inspired tile wall and a fireplace for late night cocktails.
Charley is located at 202 Angelo Cifelli Drive, Harrison, NJ.
For more information visit www.charley.com
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