AuGust – Mighty Meat!

Posted on February 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich –

tables can only be reserved for groups from 6. We just tried our luck on a Saturday around 7 pm. Of course, all was booked and the chef de service told us we have to wait about 1.5 hours.

As we anyway wanted to enjoy an apéro in the bar of the Widder (one of the most beautiful bars in Zurich – if not in the world. I think this should also go in to the guide “1000places.com“) this was perfect timing.

At 8 pm we got our table, a nice and cosy one right in the middle of the restaurant. There is a big meat buffet as you would see at a butcher when you go meat shopping. The restaurant is not very big but I really like the black and white interior design. AuGust opened in November 2014 and is attached to the Widder hotel – a unique and boutique 5*hotel in the heart of Zurich. The building complex of 9 town houses was converted in the 1970’s into a hotel by famous Swiss architect Tilla Theus.

Now to the food: My first course, the salmon tatar was the best I ever had! Great fish quality and spicy mixed with wasabi and chillies and some secret ingredients…

For the main we took the meat platter. It was very good but too much food for two people. The service person asked us if we wanted to have a doggy bad what we gratefully accepted.

Definitely worth visiting!

au-gust.ch

and

www.widderhotel.ch

Lisa Elmqvist and Gerdas Fisk & Skaldjursrestaurang Östermalms Saluhall

Posted on February 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Stockholm – This food hall is definitively worth a visit when in Sweden!!

We had to queue for about 20 minutes – and it was already 1.30pm! But it was worth every minute. You sit on a small table, squashed with a lot of Swedes and tourists while you see all the great dishes coming out of the kitchen. The menu list is quite long and I really had trouble to make a decision what to order.

In the end we took some oysters as a starter and my husband had the fish platter, I went for the cod and shrimps in butter (real hip gold butter…)! It was really heavenly and when I think about it now, my mouth begins to water again…..

www.ostermalmshallen.se

The Berkeley hotel – Prêt-à-Portea

Posted on December 29, 2014 by sybillesbeenthere

London – This place is a wonderful experience for a real traditional but special afternoon tea for ladies who care about fashion and style not only in clothes but also in food.

The elegant 5* Berkeley Hotel is located in the middle of Knightsbridge and houses this beautiful venue one (woman) should not miss while visiting London.

You can enjoy a glass of champagne, make a choice of fine selected teas and bite into the freshly prepared sandwiches, scones, sweets and little surprises that are placed on the beautiful porcelain platters. It is a little pricey – between 51 and 57 GBP – but you can order as much food and tea as you can manage.

Reservation is needed about 2 weeks in advance.

www.the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea

The Berkeley Afternoon Tea London

Kronenhalle Bar – The walls know all the secrets

Posted on December 29, 2014 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich – This bar is a legend in Zurich. It belongs to the restaurant with the same name, located next door and connected with a door inside. I already wrote about the restaurant in my blog some 12 months ago.

I think they do the best cocktails in Zurich – without knowing all bars in Zurich…I’m sorry. Some cocktails are not listed on the menu but if you ask the bar people they maybe reveal some secrets.

www.kronenhalle.ch/bar

The Hoxton Hotel – Shoreditch

Posted on December 29, 2014 by sybillesbeenthere

London – A great place to stay and eat. The rooms are modern, comfortable and a good deal. The hotel is quite centrally located and just in the middle of the booming Shoreditch area (visit also the Old Spitalfields market).

The bar is always very busy and at weekend there is a queue outside.

On our last day we had breakfast in the restaurant which offered delicious American style Eggs Benedict or English beans on toast with bacon – not all choices actually hip-friendly but they serve also yummy freshly squeezed juices to compensate.

https://thehoxton.com/london/shoreditch/

Rust en Vrede – Heaven for the taste buds

Posted on November 27, 2014 by sybillesbeenthere

Stellenbosch – If you ever visit Stellenbosch you should definitively pass by Rust en Vrede restaurant. It was a beautiful evening in a lovely picturesque setting, delicious food and wine – a highlight of our South Africa visit. I recommend to drink “Peter Barlow” whenever you see it on the wine list.

Reservation about 2 months in advance is a must!

http://rustenvrede.com/

Menu of Rust en Vrede

Peter Barlow wine, Rustenberg

Handwritten invoice of Rust en Vrede

Webersburg – 5* Guest house

Posted on November 26, 2014 by sybillesbeenthere

Stellenbosch – We booked the honeymoon suite and did not regret the small extra cost. We had a huge room in a Cape Dutch heritage style room. The estate is stunning with a little lake and home to countless ducks, hens and cows. I can imagine, many weddings fit in perfectly in this venue! The breakfast was also very good but actually we struggled a little as we were still full from past night’s dinner at nearby Rust en Vrede .

http://www.webersburg.co.za/

The Pot Luck Club!

Posted on November 26, 2014 by sybillesbeenthere

Cape Town – a MUST and my personal favourite in Cape Town! But book in advance. The food is presented on the menu under the different tastes as Sweet, Bitter, Umami, etc. and portions in a Tapas-style-size. Everything was perfect and staff was not only very friendly but also very good-looking….maybe a job requirement?

PLC is a sister restaurant of the Test Kitchen, the best voted restaurant in Cape Town at the moment.

http://thepotluckclub.co.za/