Elsie’s bar – no visit to Zermatt without

Posted on March 20, 2022 by sybillesbeenthere

Zermatt – we did it again. An institution in Zermatt is Elsie’s bar. Best oysters and champagne in charming atmosphere.

BIMI – means delicious food

Posted on September 23, 2021 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich – Japanese food is not limited to sushi only and the restaurant Bimi has been spoiling its guests with a variety of non-sushi Japanese delicacies since 2004.

I visited Bimi again yesterday and could not believe that I had never mentioned it in my blog before. My conclusion from last night is that everything was super tasty – as it actually has been every time that I visited the place before. Every dish, from the sardine sushi (first time raw sardines for me) to the grilled eel, the seaweed salad, and the yellowtail collar was equally delicious. I have never knowingly eaten yellowtail fish collar before, which is a cut of the fish that is located above the gills and below the head. It’s cheaper than the fillet but richer in flavour. The yellowtail belongs to the mackerel family and is a rather fatty fish which gives it even more taste. For dessert I treated myself to a matcha sorbet. The sake selection is great too. Or, if you prefer a glass of Franciacorta….it’s all available. A reservation is highly recommended

Restaurant

La Santa Sete – simple and good

Posted on September 23, 2021 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich – a friend suggested this new restaurant (since 2020) in Zurich to me. Sometimes it’s worth trying something new, this time we were rewarded.
The service was most attentive and friendly, the atmosphere is wonderful – you really feel like you’re in Italy – and the food was great. I love brussels sprouts so I was delighted to have the vegetable as a starter with bacon and dates.
For the main course, I chose the tagliatelle and could easily add the sauce that is actually served with the fregola. Simply great, it feels a little like you were having a dinner at your “nonna”‘s kitchen.

Website: https://lasantasete.restaurant/

Some impressions

Outside with terrace with the beautifull new "Negrellisteg" bridge in the background

Gattopardo – Mediterranean in Zurich old town

Posted on November 16, 2020 by sybillesbeenthere

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.

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

Ooki – Japanese Izakaya – Authentic throwback to Tokyo

Posted on November 13, 2020 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich –

At the moment it is difficult to travel because of corona. Since I miss Japan and the food there very much, I wanted to enjoy some authentic Japanese “pub” cuisine again. In Zurich, I like the Ooki very much. I have been there three times in the last two years and every time the food and the sake was very good. Unfortunately, I never took the time to write a blog entry until today 🙂
For the start we had a breaded pork schnitzel “Tonkatsu” with spicy Tonkatsu sauce with thin sliced white cabbage. We also had the Taki no Tatsuta age, fried octopus with homemade Yuzu mayonnaise, and to add up a bit more, we also took the crispy fried Gyozas….very yummy.

As a main course my hubby enjoyed a spicy ramen soup with extra pork and I had an udon noodle soup, with extra seaweed and pork. I rarely got a soup in another place where I had to look for the broth – the ingredients were a lot! So the soup would not stain our shirt or trousers, we got a bib 🙂

As usual in Japan, we got the matching sake in a glass, which is kept in an additional container (here a little bowl), and the sake is poured over the edge of the glass, that’s how it has to be.
It was a really great evening. Make sure to reserve in advance.

https://ooki.tokyo/

L’Antica Trattoria – like a set of a movie classic

Posted on October 11, 2020 by sybillesbeenthere

Sorrento, Italy

Sorrento was a revelation for me. A mid-size city directly by the sea, situated on a spectacular cliff, nearby the famous Amalfi coast. A shopping tour before dinner is recommended especially for hand made leather sandals – I bought mine for example at: www.sandalisiniscalchi.it/en/ you can have them made individually with every imaginable leather, coral or crystal…
The region is also known for its delicious lemons, which can be seen in every shop as fresh fruit, cuddly toys, soap, perfume or even decorated cups and household goods. After the shopping you can relax at the big main piazza which is ideal for an nice “Aperitivo” (in Italy pre-dinner drinks are always accompanied by small bites).

The dinner at the Antica Trattoria was spectacular: An interior could hardly be more kitschy and seemed like a scene from an Italian film from the 60s where Sofia Loren or Gina Lollobrigida would enjoy an extended dinner. The waiters wore traditional uniforms and the walls were decorated with painted tiles, framed pictures and plants hung from the ceiling in the cozy pergola.

The food was local and traditional. We shared some starter of Calamari, Fior di Zucca and Melanzane. As main course I had Tagliolini al limone….not just a plate of long noodles with lemon sauce, but homemade fresh pasta with fresh lemon sauce, part of the portion neatly rolled into a hollowed out lemon half. It was simply DELICIOUS! My hubby had the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. A special thanks to Vincenzo, the mandolin player, who entertained the guests in the restaurant with his passionate play and made our evening even more special: Grazie mille Vincenzo. www.lanticatrattoria.com

Osteria Santo Brevitore….pasta con amore!

Posted on September 1, 2020 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich

In this Corona summer I have not yet been abroad….as many other people around the world too I guess. So I thought I need at least some culinary short trip to Italy. Santo Brevitore in Zurich is the right choice for this.
The restaurant is located in the middle of Zurich Wiedikon. The menu card will treat every taste but will melt the heart of every pasta lover. So I just HAD to order the “Tris di pasta” three kinds of pasta on one plate. I can only say that the portion was huge but every gram was worth it. One pasta with mussels, one with minced meat and truffle, the third with some kind of Italian cream cheese….mouthwatering still when I think about it now. The appetizers and the wines are also worth the visit. The atmosphere is very relaxed, in summer you can also sit outside on the troittoir. On our Saturday evening out, an alphorn player (no joke) passed by and gave a short performance – in the middle of Zurich.

Reservation is required. Check out also the first restaurant of Massimo, La Baracca: https://www.osteria-santobevitore.ch/#la-baracca-ristorante

Website Santo Brevitore: https://www.osteria-santobevitore.ch/

Patagonia Paradise

Posted on January 25, 2020 by sybillesbeenthere

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