Restaurant of the Month - February 2013

Restaurant Kunming

Gotthardstrasse 50, 8800 Thalwil

http://www.kunming-thalwil.ch/restaurant.html

To celebrate the Year of the Snake, the ZIWA Dining Around the World group chose to visit the Kunming Chinese restaurant in Thalwil's main street, only 10 minutes by train from Zurich. This favourite of mine has a great business lunch menu with a choice of around 7 dishes all priced between CHF15 and CHF22. On Tuesday we had a choice of chicken, beef, scampi or tofu dishes with different tasty sauces, accompanied by boiled or fried rice. The meal started with an inclusive green salad; other optional extras included soup and spring rolls.

We were seated at a round table for 12, and the chef delivered our choices quickly. All the selections were hot and very tasty. If the lunch menu doesn't include your favourite dish, which is very unlikely, you can choose from the extensive a la carte menu. Evening prices are more expensive but it's also good to share several dishes between a group. Hot and sour soup, dumplings and wontons also provide tasty starters. Fish and vegetarian main dishes can also be good options. There's also a choice of teas, wines and Tsingdao or Singha beers to complement the meal.

The restaurant opens daily except Wednesdays, and the recent extension allows more light and space for the diners. It's a good idea to reserve. They also do takeaways. There is parking in the street outside as well as easy train access from Zurich HB or Enge. This is the best Chinese restaurant I have tried in Zurich, and the staff are always friendly and happy to help with your Chinese vocabulary too!

Hao che! (Good food!).

Swiss Traditions - Thalwil Market

Gotthardstrasse Market - Saturday 25 August 2012

http://www.thalwil.ch/de/verwaltung/dienstleistungen/?dienst_id=4486

Local crafts make pleasing gifts and souvenirs

Thalwil, a small town on the left side of the Zurichsee, celebrates several annual markets as well as the weekly produce markets in the main street, Gotthardstrasse.

The Gotthardstrassenmarkt always takes place on the last Saturday of August and is amongst the most popular with local residents and visitors. The weather is usually fine, all the shops along the main street open their doors and spill out onto the pavement, and local clubs and businesses have stands.

Entertainment for children

It's a local event when you are bound to meet your neighbours and greet the regular stallholders. You can also have a health check, try a new skill, pick up a gift made by a local craftsman, or try to win a prize.

There is entertainment for children, choirs and bands provide the music, and there are snacks galore to tempt you. Just follow the scent of the barbecue, garlic bread and popcorn. There's also a convivial beer tent, and the Kung Ming Chinese restaurant offers a choice of delicious hot meals. See this link: http://www.kunming-thalwil.ch/

Street food Chinese style

You should also look out for the autumn flea market in September on the Chilbiplatz, the October Chilbi market with fairground rides, and the Friday Christmas Market also in the main street.


And in Spring look out for the May Flower Market and the Spring Flea Market.


Thalwil market - always the same but always a pleasure - that's Swiss tradition!