Restaurant of the Month - May 2014

Brasserie Louis, Niederdorfstrasse 10, 8801 Zurich

http://www.brasserie-louis.ch/

For a taste of French ambience in the heart of Zurich's Niederdorf district, you might like to try Brasserie Louis. Its size is deceptive and there is ample seating on the terrace outdoors on a sunny day. On Tuesday lunchtime last week, 15 members of ZIWA's Dining Around the World group gathered at two tables indoors. We had a very pleasant and authentically French experience.

On the day's special lunch menu there was a choice of veal with vegetables and sauce or penne with broccoli. We could also choose from the May specials menu of seasonal dishes, or splash out on a typically French dish from the extensive a la carte selection. The day's menu came with soup, potato as it turned out, or salad. The tender veal was many people's first choice, although some opted for bouillabaisse, a tasty fish soup. A choice of French and other fine wines accompanied the meal for anyone in a relaxed mood.



Service was rather slow on this occasion, but the staff were as helpful as possible and dealt with our staggered arrivals and departures calmly. Prices for the set lunches varied from 20 to 30 francs. We could also have chosen the classic entrecote cafe de Paris or the moules frites in season. The restaurant seats 80 and has a bar upstairs too. It's also a good place to have an after-movie coffee, as the Frosch cinema is just around the corner. I have also enjoyed delicious lamb here in the evening, and the red wines are very acceptable.


For an authentic taste of French je ne sais quoi right in the middle of the Zurich Altstadt, Brasserie Louis could be the place for you.

Bon appetit!

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'.