Austrian Standby Blaue Gans to Shutter After 13 Years in Tribeca

Thirteen-year-old Austrian pub Blaue Gans will shutter at the end of the month, with chef Kurt Gutenbrunner paring down to focus on his other three restaurants.

Blaue Gans has been serving Austrian German classics such as schnitzel and sausage to Tribeca for over a decade. Austrian wine was a particular draw here too, as was its decor. The space once housed bistro Le Zinc, and some wall posters were kept from that era, while Gutenbrunner added more so that the walls are covered in them. Geese and duck figurines also fill out the space.

Though the neighborhood prized the restaurant, it never quite rose to the same status as Gutenbrunner’s other, more renowned offering at Wallsé in the West Village. Just this year, Times critic Pete Wells revisited, while Blaue Gans was last reviewed by the Times in 2006 with one star.

Now, Gutenbrunner wants to “simplify” by focusing on his other restaurants, which also includes Upholstery Store in the West Village and Café Sabarsky on the Upper East Side. Staff from Blaue Gans will be reshuffled to those locations.

Blaue Gans closes after service on September 30, a spokeswoman confirms.

• Blaue Gans Is Said to Be Closing [Tribeca Citizen]
• All Coverage of Blaue Gans [ENY]