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 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!