Restaurateur Opens Nostalgic Soft-Serve Ice Cream Kiosk at Vienna's Alte Donau

Ferdinand Querfeld, a restaurateur known for operating several Viennese establishments including the iconic Café Landtmann, has realized a personal dream by opening a soft-serve ice cream kiosk named "Ferdis" along the Alte Donau. The venture fulfills a childhood memory of enjoying ice cream during walks with his father.

"This was a project close to my heart," Querfeld stated, explaining that the kiosk's name, "Ferdis," evokes a sense of nostalgia. He emphasizes a commitment to quality, using fresh ingredients like real vanilla, milk, cream, and eggs for his soft-serve. The kiosk also serves drinks and the "Landtmann Kaiserschmarrn," a popular dessert that can be taken away, complementing the main restaurant offerings at the nearby Bootshaus.

Querfeld acknowledged that while the idea for "Ferdis" predates the current heatwave, the extreme temperatures are indeed influencing customer behavior. He noted a shift towards earlier or later dining times and highlighted the challenges extreme heat poses for both guests and staff. "The heat is a challenge for the guests, but above all for the employees," he said. His establishments are responding with measures like air-conditioned kitchens and increased breaks.

To mitigate the impact of the heat, Querfeld's businesses have implemented cooling systems in their outdoor seating areas, using misting fans to lower temperatures by up to five degrees Celsius. He stressed the importance of adapting to the climate, not only through structural changes and cooling measures but also by offering a suitable menu. "For example, a goulash tastes better at 20 degrees than at 40," he observed, indicating a strategic adjustment of offerings to better suit the prevailing weather conditions.