Restaurant of the Month, March 2014

Restaurant Angkor, Puls 5, Giessereistrasse 18, 8005 Zurich

http://www.restaurant-angkor.ch/

When you walk through the imposing double doors of the Restaurant Angkor in Zurich's Puls 5 quarter, you are stepping into another world, one of exotic decor, larger than life flower displays, tempting loungers and silky cushions. In spite of the name of the Cambodian World Heritage Site, the cuisine offers more Thai food styles, although other Asian dishes are also on offer. ZIWA's Dining Around the World group ventured to the Technopark area of northwest Zurich and enjoyed a feast of flavours.

At lunchtime the twice-weekly menu offers four or five choices featuring a starter, four different meat or fish dishes and jasmine rice. Our starter was gyoza with a dipping sauce and the main courses this week offered chicken with peanuts, beef, duck in a red wine sauce or prawns. The portions were quite large and the cost was a reasonable CHF 23.50 to CHF 27.50 for the two courses. Everyone was satisfied with the flavour and quantity of the food - spicy but not too hot.

At lunchtime and in the evening there is also a large a la carte menu offering Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Cambodian dishes. You would expect to pay more and wait longer for this selection. But meanwhile relax and wallow in the atmosphere on silken cushions with the attentive service of the waitresses.

The restaurant also features a bar and a lounge area where you could lie back and sample a before-dinner drink. Or book up for the Aquarium with two special menus - the Angkor menu of soup, salad, chicken, beef, vegetables, steamed rice and fresh fruit for CHF110 or the more extensive Apatra menu at CHF129. Restaurant Angkor is open daily apart from Sunday lunchtimes and you need to book at any time as space is limited. In summer there is also an outdoor terrace. Access is simple by tram 4 to Technopark or underground parking at Puls 5.

So why wait? Book now for a business lunch, an evening for two or a special party in this 'oasis of the senses'.