Restaurant of the Month December 2013

Zum grobe Ernst, Stuessihofstatt 16, 8001 Zurich

http://www.zumgrobeernst.ch/

For our last ZIWA Dining Around the World lunch of 2013, we chose this Spanish restaurant run by a Portuguese couple. It's located in the heart of the Zurich Altstadt close to Rathaus, and 13 people joined in on this occasion. Our genial host welcomed us with a glass of sherry.

There was a weekly menu with three set two-course meals priced from CHF32.50 to CHF 56, as well as the daily selection. Many of the dishes featured traditional Spanish cuisine or house specialities. Lamb fillet, beef entrecote and chicken were all popular with our party, and there were vegetarian options too. Paella is also on the menu.

Top starters included pata negra ham, garlic prawns and lobster soup, all delicious. For the main course, the oven-baked Mistkratzerli or small chicken was served as two plates with matchstick chips. There was also a chicken stew and tender lamb, plus various topical fish and seafood options.

The restaurant is a very popular meeting point for groups and was very busy on this December lunchtime. Service was personal, although rather slow due to the number of customers. But the atmosphere was very convivial. To accompany our meal, there was Spanish wine by the glass, beer and water in carafes. And for dessert, the crema catalana was delicious.

For a special occasion this is a cosy and traditionally-styled venue, but be sure to book well ahead. Buen provecho!