Restaurant of the Month - March 2012

Restaurant Dapur, Schaffhauserstrasse 373, Zurich-Oerlikon
http://www.dapur-indonesia.ch/

This small Indonesian restaurant is a little gem of a place and well worth the short trip to Zurich-Oerlikon by train or tram. It's located about 3 minutes' walk from the station, and the understated exterior belies the smart interior and the culinary pleasure waiting inside. Here you can taste authentic dishes for one, two or a group of 12.

If you have time, try the famous Reistafel, a selection of tasty meat and vegetarian dishes meant to be shared. At lunchtime, expect to try soup followed by 5 different dishes such as chicken, beef, sweet and sour fish, green beans and aubergine, with rice, sambal bajak and prawn crackers, all placed on burners enticingly in front of you. There is also a daily lunch selection if you don't have time to linger.


For the full Reistafel, you should go in the evening when an array of 11 mouthwatering dishes is presented. Be sure to book the day beforehand.

The lunch Reistafel menu costs just under CHF60; the 11 course feast costs CHF79 including soup and coffee.

For a truly Asian speciality in the outskirts of Zurich, the Dapur is a chic, hospitable venue. Don't wait!

Restaurant of the Month February 2012

Mere Catherine, Im Naegelihof 3, Zurich
http://www.commercio.ch/e/mere-catherine/

This restaurant is hidden away in the French corner of Zurich's old town. It has a Mediterranean atmosphere with its bistro, gallery and salon seating areas and features typical French cuisine at affordable prices. Every lunchtime you can try from two menus of the day plus a vegi menu and a special dish as well as traditional dishes such as moules. In the evening, the atmosphere is more intimate. Good place to try after a film at the nearby Arthouse Movie cinema.

The staff are friendly and welcoming, the seating is not too crowded, and single diners feel as comfortable as larger groups. The house wine list is also quite extensive. A two course lunch with a glass of wine and a coffee costs less than CHF35. They also cater for parties, and in summer you can sit outside.

For a bit of French atmosphere in the German part of Switzerland, the Mere Catherine is very pleasant.