Café Capra

The story

Café Capra, St. Valentin: Seasonal Italian Cooking in Lower Austria

The founder and the kitchen

Café Capra in St. Valentin serves refined Italian cooking shaped by Helena Jordan’s extensive international training. She worked across acclaimed venues in Vienna, New York, and Oslo before establishing this space in Lower Austria. The team chose the goat as the guiding symbol to represent adaptability and a disciplined approach to taste. Every dish adjusts to what the surrounding Mostviertel countryside provides during that specific week.

Regional roots meet Italian cooking

The dining list remains intentionally compact so the team can execute each plate without compromise. Gault&Millau recently awarded the venue eleven and a half points, specifically singling out the sun dried tomato risotto and the spicy basil gnocchetti. The XO beef tagliata arrives with exact marbling and requires minimal intervention. This consistent Italian cooking method keeps the attention firmly on ingredient integrity and precise heat management.

A cellar built on personal connections

Helena originally trained as a sommelier, and that foundation dictates how the beverage program operates. The wine roster emphasizes approachable complexity and features producers she visits throughout the growing season. Monthly tasting evenings guide guests through diverse styles, ranging from oxidative orange wines to indigenous Austrian grapes. Small kitchen preparations accompany each pour, turning the dining room into a relaxed environment for honest conversation.