Monthly Archives: December 2013

The Hungry Cat

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Santa Barbara – I got this restaurant tip from my best friend that lived in California for about 3 years. It is located behind the main street so it is not overran by all the tourists.

As a starter we had a dozen oysters from Washington as the local ones were sold out They serve really nice food platters – on one I even saw a sea urchin.

I went for the monk fish Asian style….you do not want anything else anymore 🙂 and my hubby took the sea trout which was a good choice as well.

http://thehungrycat.com/santa_barbara.html

La Balena – Tuscany in Carmel!

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Carmel – After a beautiful drive from San Francicso to Carmel on Highway No 1 we watched the sunset at the beach. We were still a little jetlegged and wanted to go for dinner earlier than booked. But the small restaurant was packed with people so we went to the bar around the corner.

Our table was prepared right below the pass for food so we could sneak with an eye in the kitchen. We couldn’t believe how quiet is was as there so many hungry people and just two cooks in the kitchen.

I had bruschetta with chicken liver and gorgonzola as a starter. My husband went for the gnocchis – both amazingly good.

Of course we had to try the osso bucco when it is on the menu and as well the ravioli filled with boar. It was fantastic and we had to admit, that it competes with many restaurants in Italy.

http://labalenacarmel.com/

Smokehouse – not only smoke around the fish tacos

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Cayucos – On our way south on highway No 1 we needed some gas and took the exit. When we looked around we realized that this little village by the sea was pretty nice and thought about lunch. There are about 3 restaurants directly at the waterfront but I wouldn’t say that Riddell’s Smokehouse is a proper restaurant as more people order their food to go. We had to wait 30 mints for a shrimp and a fish (albacore is a local fish available in season) taco….we ate it finally in the car…what produced a big mess on my husbands T-shirt and trousers….its much easier to eat a kebab….but very yummy.

http://www.smokerjim.com/

Unfortunately I did not take some photos from the actual fish tacos as I was too hungry and gorged it….

Fish Hopper

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Monterey – After we have visited the Aquarium with the greatest jelly fish collection we were a little hungry. After we passed Bubba Gump with a long waiting line we found the Fish Hopper with a nice terrace overlooking the ocean. The sardines, followed by filet mignon and king crab was a perfect lunch – accompanied by a nice white wine from napa valley.

Hiltl – now with vegetarian butchery

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Zurich – I have already written about Hiltl in an earlier post. Last week I went again for lunch….I cannot explain, but although I love meat, the vegetarian food and the cool and relaxed atmosphere is unbeaten. The former animal shop around the corner is now the vegetarian butchery attached to the Hiltl concept – how applicable!

http://www.hiltl.ch/

Il Salotto – Latest stroke of Massimo

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Zurich – Readers of my blog know that two years ago my favourite Italian was Don Leone, than Massimo opened La Barracca (currently my favourite) and now he gifted Zurich with a new venue. Some food is similar as in Barraca but no pizza and the restaurant is more – as the name says – an elegant dining location. The spot must be known by many as former Zentraleck.

As primi I had fresh pasta with sausages and artichokes followed by tagliata di vitello with rocket salad….just wonderful! Definitively worth visiting.

Il Salotto

New Point – Kebap Forever

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Zurich – I went to see “Filth” in Riff Raff last Wednesday….what a laugh and drama in one piece….

But to satisfy our stomach besides the risible muscle we went to New point, probably the best kebap place outside Turkey. Served with a cold beer this is something that just makes you happy, I promise!

New Point

Cabanas – Tapas, Tapas, Tapas

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Lucerne – To celebrate the end of the CAS semester at University Lucerne we went to the Spanish tapas restaurant Cabanas. We were a group of 30 people and enjoyed the easy going owner’s attitude. We just ordered various tapas and had a good red wine to accompany. The food was decent, the service really friendly, attentive and the atmosphere really cosy and lively we had a great time – it could have been somewhere in Spain.

www.cabanas.ch/