warm

Einspänner is one of Vienna’s most charming coffeehouse classics: a strong black coffee crowned with a generous layer of cold whipped cream. The name comes from the one-horse carriages once used in the city, and the drink is said to have helped coachmen stay warm and alert while waiting out in the cold. That thick cap of cream helped insulate the coffee and kept it from splashing, too. Today, Einspänner is loved for the same reason it has always been memorable: the contrast of hot, bitter coffee and cool, softly sweet cream.

A shrimp and corn chowder is comfort-in-a-bowl, the kind that makes the whole kitchen smell cozy. It starts with a base of sautéed onions, celery, and maybe a little garlic, then brings in tender potatoes, sweet corn, and a creamy broth that’s rich but not heavy. Shrimp get added at the end so they stay plump and delicate, just barely cooked through and infused with all that chowder flavor.

Quesadillas are made with corn or wheat tortillas stuffed with cheese and all kinds of ingredients. There are even cheese-free quesadillas.