Category Archives: Hotel

AuGust in Zurich old town (revisited)

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Zurich – Meat restaurant in the heart of Zurich.

It has been an unbelievable 5 years since I was last inAuGust (Blog). Why it took so long, I don’t know. I was longing for a place to have traditional “Metzgete” and then I remembered AuGust. So I made a reservation for my hubby and me. We enjoyed the dinner a lot – it was simply super delicious.
I had blood and liver sausage with sauerkraut and Rösti (hash brown, very crispy on the outside and juicy inside, as it has to be). Hubby chose “Züri Gschnätzlets” (sliced veal and kidneys in cream sauce) with Rösti.
If you’re a meat lover, you absolutely must visit this restaurant in Zurich.
Before or after your visit to the restaurant, it’s worth having a cocktail in the adjacent bar of the Hotel Widder. There is often live piano music.
Make sure to reserve your table.

  • August Zurich, Blood and liver sausage, Rösti
    Blood and liver sausage, Rösti
  • August Zurich, Interior
    Interior
  • August Zurich, Menu card
    Menu card
  • August Zurich, Interior
    Interior
  • August Zurich, Interior
    Interior

https://www.widderhotel.com/de/restaurants-bars/boucherie-august

Gattopardo – Mediterranean in Zurich old town

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Zurich – A delicious culinary trip to Italy and Spain.

We took the 4 course menu, which is price wise very fair for 98 CHF. As starter we had Pulpo salad, second was pasta with red chicory and ham. For the main course we had a whole sea bass baked in salt coat and for dessert I chose the chocolate tartlet with a warm and liquid centre. The wine cellar is well stocked with good wines from Italy and Spain. Really very worthwhile the visit with personal and friendly service. Reservation necessary.

  • Il Gattopardo Zurich, menu card
    Menu card
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich, wooden horse
    Wooden horse “Hotel Rössli”
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich
    Pulpo salad
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich
    Sea bass in salt coat
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich, sea bass
    Sea bass
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich chocolate tartlet
    Chocolate tartlet
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich, inside
    Inside
  • Il Gattopardo Zurich, pasta
    Pasta

http://www.ilgattopardo.ch in Hotel Rössli, old town: https://www.hotelroessli.ch/restaurant

Gasthaus am Brunnen – Hotel and Restaurant

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Valdenas Rhine gorge – The hotel “Gasthaus am Brunnen” in a 500 year old building is exceptional. It is far away from tourism and crowds of people. It has only 7 rooms and all of them are very different, simply furnished. The house is almost only made of wood and so the room smells wonderfully of wood, one can relax very well in this place.

Restaurant and Dinner

The restaurant in this hidden place is really fantastic. Meat, vegetables and dairy products are from the surroundings/region. The jam for breakfast and homemade and just very delicious. The great thing is that you can simply eat a main course or a whole menu with various delicacies, you always get full. In the afternoon you can drink coffee by the wooden well or have a cocktail in the lounge in the garden and watch the ducks from the farmer next door.






In the surroundings you can visit the Rhine Gorge or take a hike to Lake Cauma and/or Lake Cresta. The nature is beautiful and there is something for every fitness level.










www.gasthausambrunnen.com/

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Bodega Colomé – Once in a lifetime

			
						

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Molinos





The Hacienda Colomé (by Swiss entrepreneur Donald M. Hess) is not only worth a visit for its wines, but for the special place. The next small village is about 45 minutes away by car. From Salta you can do the zigzagging roads by going over the top of a pass (Cuesta del Obispo) and “Parque Nacional de los Cardones” about 5 to 6 hours, depending on road conditions (partially dirt roads). This means that one does not go there spontaneously for a winetasting. 
For a long time we had the idea to include the Bodega Colomé on our next trip to Argentina because we know friends that stayed there. Since the hotel has only 9 rooms, this was the first thing we booked for our trip and planned everything else including flights only afterwards. It was really worth it. It is a place with a certain magic. You can relax, get some peace and quiet, do walks and besides; taste the best wines of the region. 
We spent New Year’s Eve at the bodega and had a really wonderful evening with people from France, Brazil, Switzerland and Argentina. Bodega Colomé grows their own fruits, vegetables and herbs in their garden and cooks only regional and seasonal meals. The staff conjured up a delicious multi-course menu for the guests that evening, including wine pairing.
At 12 o’clock we all toasted to the new year on the terrace under the roof of stars and there was – still on top – a huge dessert buffet.
Those who make it to Colomé should stay at least two or three days, as the James Tyrell Art Museum is also very worth seeing.





  • Surroundings of Colomé
  • View
  • Far away
  • Hacienda
  • Breakfast
  • Colomé secection
  • View of Colomé Bodega
    View of Colomé Bodega
  • Lavender as far as one can see
  • Hacienda
  • Paths
  • Room with chimney
  • Bath
  • Road to Colomé
  • Pool area





www.bodegacolome.com/homepage/

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Gimenez Riili – Hotel and Bodega

			
						

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Mendoza Valle de Uco 










The hotel and bodega Gimenez Riili is located in the middle of the emerging new wine region “Valle de Uco” near Mendoza. The hotel has only eight rooms but they are already in the process of being extended. The rooms are very nice and modern furnished. The food is excellent and is cooked on an open fire in the middle of the restaurant. You can also try their own wines with the meal. 





The hotel is home to people and some animals like guinea pigs, dogs, tarantulas (only one luckily ;-)) and toads that are running around freely. So you should not be afraid of contact with animals.





www.gimenezriili.com/






					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Patagonia Paradise

			
						

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Bahia Bustamante – North Patagonia east coast





This hotel and restaurant is really something unique, a hidden gem. It is not at all on the way and does not always guarantee electricity – especially after 11pm. 
But in reward, one gets a wonderful fauna and flora right in front of the door. Unspoiled nature wherever you look. After four days on the Peninsula Valdes I thought I had seen all penguins, sea lions and ostriches, but Bahia Bustamante offers all this too, but not as an observer from far away, you are right in the middle of it. It is difficult to describe the place, you have to see, feel and experience it on your own.
The hotel should be booked 6-9 months in advance and you should definitely book the cabins WITH dinner. The food is incredibly good and this at the end of the world and with a view of the vines (yes really vines in Patagonia) and the sea behind. Of course you shouldn’t be picky about what you eat, because there is simply one menu every evening, but if you like local food and wine, you are in good hands.





The hotel and surroundings














Excursions at Bahia Bustamante





  • excursion by boat
  • all edable
  • beach of sea shells
  • Ostriches – nandus – behind our cabin





The restaurant at Bahia Bustamante Lodge





  • The green leaf is from the field behind the lodge (see pics excursions)
  • Malbec “Animal”
  • Pumkin casserolle
  • Restaurant from the outside
  • The VIEW
  • Shrimp cocktail
  • Dona Paula Malbec
  • Delicious fresh fish dish
  • Pumkin volcano – delicious
The restaurant at Bahia Bustamante Lodge





www.bahiabustamante.com/





www.instagram.com/bahiabustamante/











					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Mauri’s La Casa – Top of Feusisberg and top Italian kitchen in the area

			
						

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Feusisberg – Mauri (Maurizio Brocca, 20 years owner of former La Rocca in Zurich) renovated and reopened the location in the heart of Feusisberg just recently in May.


When you enter the restaurant, you feel, like in someone’s home…this someone must have Italian roots. It is Mauri’s home; as he dreamed it to be and how he likes to live he told us. A lot of wood (they made the floor and a lot of other interior designs themselves). A lot of pictures and photographs that remind one of Italy. A highlight for all meat lovers is the wood fire barbecue in the center of the restaurant and a big fridge where the different kind of meat are presented.


My friend and I had the “tavolata” (3 course surprise menu served on platters…like at mamma’s table in the older times) and it was just fantastic (but a LOT of good food to be honest). The homemade pasta is still watering my mouth when I think back.


The guys had a giant size Tomahawk steak which was just wonderful and grilled on the charcoal as ordered.


On the terrace a fumoir is planned and in the backyard opens a garden restaurant soon. On street level there will soon also open an Osteria (simple Italian dishes), but at the moment planned for smaller events of about 50 people.


The official opening is still to come, but I am already looking forward going again!


 
 
 
  
 exterior 
 
 
  
 
  
 interior 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 menu – part of it 
 
 
  
 
  
 homemade pasta 
 
 
  
 charcoal bbq 
 
 
  
 bar 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 antipasti plate – serves 1 person! 
 
 
  
 
  
 meat… 
 
 
  
 
  
 memories of Italy 
 
 
  
  


mauris-lacasa.ch/

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Once in a lifetime ryokan ASABA

			
						

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Shuzenji (between Kyoto and Tokyo) – When in Japan, a visit of a ryokan (Japanese inn) is a must do!


We selected this beautiful place and enjoyed every minute of it. The rooms are in traditional Japanese style with tatami mats in the whole hotel, so you are only allowed to walk in socks or bare feet. As soon as you arrive at the hotel you get rid of your shoes anyway and you receive a beautiful kimono (yukata) to wear throughout your stay…so you can dive into this other world and let yourself get indulged.


During all your stay you can take a bath in the natural hot springs inside and outside (open air). If you feel too hot you can also feed the koi fish (yes, they are always hungry!) in the pond or just relax and enjoy the calming atmosphere.


Dinner is served at any time you want in your room. This time we were also sitting on the floor at a low table, but luckily for us and our bones with a big cushion :-). This food was again beautifully prepared and decorated in the theme of autumn. For the second time we tasted fugu fish…and luckily are still alive.


After dinner the staff prepares your futon beds at the very same place in your room. In the morning you can choose between continental breakfast and Japanese breakfast…after a little discussion I agreed to the Japanese breakfast. I am really NOT fussy at all with food and I bravely ate the grilled barracuda, eggplant, miso soup and rice but when I opened the mussels soup bowl I had to give in 😉


Definitively a place I will never forget!


 
 
 
  
 View of the hotel 
 
 
  
 
  
 Dinner menu 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 Dinner is served 
 
 
  
 
  
 Some soup? 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 Sashimi 
 
 
  
 
  
 Don’t remember…but am sure it was good 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 Some more fish 
 
 
  
 
  
 Eggplant 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 Ginger and green team ice cream 
 
 
  
 
  
 Futons are ready 
 
 
  
  


www.asaba-ryokan.com