If there is one thing that I enjoy just as much as dining, wining and travelling it is reading a good book. The cold winter season is ideal for cuddling up on the sofa with a hot cuppa tea and indulging in some good literature. 2015 saw some great books get published and  I have thoroughly enjoyed them. Here is my pick of the best 5 books of 2015:

“The Story of the lost Child” by Elena Ferrante

Elena Ferrante is an Italian novelist who has remained anonymous throughout her entire career. Ferrante’s books have gained global attention in the recent years and particularly in 2015 although her works began appearing in 1992. In her series she depicts the life of two girlfriends Elena and Lila who grow up in Naples. Her candor style in which she unmasks human’s intrinsic nature is remarkable.  “The Story of a lost Child” is the last of these 4 novels and in my opinion it is  her best. To make sense of the story it is reccomendable to start with her first novel “My brilliant friend” and work your way up.

“Submission”  by Michel Houellebecq

Houellebecq, the Enfant Terrible of French novelists caused yet another media sensation when he published “Submission”, in which a dystopian France is ruled by an Islamic president. Published on the day of the Charlie Hebdo attack,the book has become strongly associated with the discussions which followed in the aftermath. Houellebecq’s controversial books aim at provoking and to take him all too seriously would be to misunderstand him.

“Purity” by Jonathan Franzen

Franzen’s latest novel revolves around its protagonist Pip, a brilliant young women burdened by a student’s credit who does not know who her father is. Through various entanglements typical for Franzen’s writing, she ends up working with a middle aged German version of Julian Assange who runs a wiki-leaks like website called Sunlight. As with his previous books “Corrections” and “Freedom”, Franzen has the ability to transmit the modern American “Zeitgeist” unlike any other contemporary novelist.

“Dora Bruder” by Patrick Mondiano

Relatively unknown outside of the borders of France, Mondiano was awarded the Pulitzer Price in 2014 . Mondiano’s novel Dora Bruder centers around a Jewish girl who disappeared and later died in the second world war. The novel is written in a fact-based, research type format which provides a certain distance between his main protagonist  and the narrator who tries to unravel the mystery of Bruder’s disappearance. It is this particular distance which strongly draws the reader to the story.  A page turner!

“Hausfrau” by Jill Alexander Essbaum

Published last year this novel evolves around Anna, a bored American housewive married to Swiss who lives in Dietlikon, Zurich.  This modern version of Madame Bovary deals with depressed and bored Anna who gets involved in various affairs. The writing is a lot more graphic however her faith is just as tragic as that of her literary sisters Anna Karenina and Madame Bovary.

 

Based in Zurich’s most beautiful Hotel “The Restaurant” at Dolder is distinct in many ways. It is by far Zurich’s most luxurious restaurant. it is also the only one in Zurich to boast two Michelin stars. Lastly,  “The Restaurant” has been on my culinary to do list longer than any other restaurant. Good things come to those who wait and I have finally made it. To make good things better it was all the more fun as I was taken there on a surprise dinner for a  special occasion.  What better way to end this fabulous year 2015 than by sharing my review of this last culinary bastion.

Ambiance: The decor in the very spacious dining room is elegant, luxurious yet understated with silver colored wallpaper and Bordeaux read chairs. Paintings by  Ferdinand Hodler are discreetly placed on the wall. The ambiance is traditional, serene and sophisticated and wonderfully unagitated. The interior design seems to have been boilt down to its upscale, elegant minimum. The warm colours combined with the dim lightling is eye soothing. The large assortment of wines carefully arranged in a glass cabinet on the other hand is eye catching. So is the exquisite chandelier. To top it off there is the terrace boasts an amazing view of Zurich. While we are seated at our table I ask myself what it is about the interior that seems so particularly pleasing. The answer, I suppose , is rather simple. that “The restaurant” is traditional without being stiffy, it is luxurious without being loud or tacky and it is stylish yet true to its roots.

The menu: The Restaurant offers a 12 course tasting menu, an 8 and a 5 course menu, a Vegetarian menu and a la carte We opt for the 5 course menu. Prior to starting our dinner we are presented a cotton cube which is transformed into a towel as soon as it makes contact with water (admittedly a bit of an old trick)  a variety of breads and what seems like a never ending array of  amuse bouches including a delectable egg served with spinach and white Alba truffle which masters the fusion of various delicious ingredients to result in harmonic perfection.

Just when I silently give my regards to the gods of haute cuisine for having made me skip lunch we are finally served our first real course, dived scallops with caviar and peanuts. The texture and aesthetic presentation are flawless however the dish lacks the wow effect. Next is a Norway lobster served with vanilla. This is an interesting dish and the combination represents the chef’s passion for unusual ingredients matched together to produce an unconventional result. We continue with a turbot from Brittany served with watercress and anchovies which is somewhat uninspiring but are delighted by the subsequent dish, deer served with turnips and cep mushrooms. Not a huge game fan I am relieved by the subtle taste of the deer. If I would have known that game can taste this good I would have ordered it earlier.

We end the official part of our dinner with a composition of light apple and green peaches fused with macadamia nut and basil, all artfully presented and simply devouring. Satisfactorily satiated we are ready for our coffee but chef Heiko has other plans with us and  before we can even realize it we are served a sheer army of deserts including delicious pralines and quietly curse the limits of our stomach volume.

The service: Staff at the Dolder is professionally friendly and discreet. They might come across less personable than in other establishments however this is done in an effort not to interfere with their guests private space and therefore represents the general attitude displayed at the Dolder.

The wines: Opening the wine list in an establishment of this price range can be a rather scary business. Those of you who ever had to choose a reasonably priced wine in a decisively overpriced wine list  trying to find a decent choice somewhere between the Dole and the Mouton Rothschild while feeling their palms start to transpire, will appreciate how thankful I am whenever I am presented a well sorted AND realistically priced wine list. Well, “The Restaurant” has an enormous, well sorted list which provides sufficient economic choices but also a great selection if you feel like splurging.

Conclusion: The Restaurant is a true 2 Michelin star restaurant. Heiko Nieders imaginative and opulent cuisine  full of complex textures and flavors is certainly worthwhile a visit.

Gstaad, Sankt Moritz and Verbier are frequently mentioned in one breath as Switzerland’s swankiest ski resorts. Although there are similarities, Verbier is has its very unique charm. To begin with, it is much larger than Gstaad and it is famous for its beautiful wooden chalets which give Verbier its signature look of a sleepy fairytale village. Due to its altitude of 1500 meters, the ski resort offers a reasonable snow guarantee, even in mild winters with little snow.  Given its large number of chalet owners,  Verbier is home to many seasoniers who stay here during the entire ski season. Nonetheless, things  get particularly busy from 23rd of December to 1st  of January which is when the international jet sets flocks here to spend time with family and friends. Verbier has traditionally been popular with Brits and continues to be their favorite ski resort in Switzerland however generally speaking tourists are very international with many coming from the Benelux countries, USA, Canada and Germany. La bonne vivante spent a few relaxing Christmas days in this lovely resort.

Where to eat:

Chez Dany: This is a cute little hut hidden in a clearing in the middle of the woods. The restaurant offers a super cozy ambiance, very friendly service and serves fantastic cuisine. The majority of the menu consists of traditional cuisine however many come with a modern twist and are prepared with a lot of attention to detail. Try the “Pierrade” which includes various types of meat barbecued on a hot stone. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and accessible from the slope provided that there is enough snow. At night you can only get there by snow taxi with a pick up at Carrefour restaurant. The drive with the snow taxi is complimentary and a fun ride through a little tunnel. Hameau de Clambin 10 , 1936 Verbier http://www.ledahu.ch/restaurant/cuisine/10-chez-dany/

Carrefour: This cozy restaurant nearby the downhill slopes is one of the oldest of Verbier and serves traditional cheese based dishes such as Fondue and Raclette, Pierrade and other local delicacies . The interior is charming and service is friendly. http://www.lecarrefour.ch

Cabane Mont-Fort: This rustic stone hut by the slopes serves a large variety of comfort food and offers a beautiful mountain view from its large terrace. Inside, the small hut offers a simple but charming wooden interior. http://www. cabanemontfort.ch/

Dahu: Close by the ski lift offers a great variety of Dishes, a lovely outside terrace and to die for Truffle Tortellini. A good place for a hearty lunch after a long morning of skiing. http://www.lecarrefour.ch/

Fer a Cheval: This restaurant and bar is a local hangout. Loud and always busy this is a good place for an aperitif. Rue de Médran 18, 1936 Bagnes, Tel: +41 27 771 26 69

Where to stay

Chalet D’adrian is an über cozy 5 star hotel a bit outside of verbier’s center. It’s style is rather traditional and the rooms have names instead of numbers: Chemin Des Creux, Verbier 1936, Schweiz, http://www.chalet-adrien.com/index.php/en/

 The W Verbier which opened a bit more than a year ago can boast with a stellar location just by the lifts. Although the hotel has adapted its design to blend in with Verbier’s chalet architecture, its signature pink and eclectic design are evident everywhere. The hotel also hosts a Sushi Bar and a Nightclub. Good choice if you like W hotels. http://www.wverbier.com/

IMG_0352 gstaad

 

 

Zurich and its surrounding certainly isn’t short of Michelin starred restaurants. Some have inspired me, others failed to enthuse my taste buds as much as their culinary ratings might lead to expect.

The Michelin ranking has an irrefutably enormous influence in the gastronomic world . It is somewhat peculiar in light of its humble beginnings. The tyre maker initially created atlases for its customers which included restaurant rankings. One star meant the restaurant was worthy of a stop, a second star recommended returning and a third star suggested making a special journey for a meal at the restaurant.

I’d like to compare the Michelin star with the Oscar of Cooking. Think of it this way, how many movies have you seen just because they have been awarded an Oscar? Certainly a few in my case. The Michelin rating works similarly, it attracts guests and raises expectations. This is part of the reason why renowned chefs start to shiver in anticipation of the yearly Michelin star rankings. The other is the status and fame which comes with the star rating. Chefs whose restaurants are awarded, gain culinary fame. The Leonardo di Caprio’s of the culinary world are ignored. And then there are chefs who actually return their Michelin stars because they cannot cope with the pressure or come to the conclusion that it limits their culinary autonomy.

Sadly, there are also tragic stories surrounding the pressure the Michelin star rating. Bernard Loiseau, one of France’s most renowned chefs allegedly was so devastated by the mere rumor that he might lose his third Michelin star that he committed suicide.  Gordon Ramsay,  admitted weeping after learning that his New York Restaurant “The London” had lost both his stars. Given the magnitude of its importance I have created my own favourite list of Michelin starred restaurants in and around Zurich for 2015:

  1. The Restaurant (2 Michelin Stars) The pinnacle of Zurich’s gastro scene “The Restaurant” combines high end ingredients, impeccable service and timeless elegance. Read more:  http://www.labonnevivante.ch/2015/12/the-restaurant-at-the-dolder/
  2. Spice (1 Michelin Star) – Consistent and innovative Spice can also boast with a great view and lovely service. Read more: http://www.labonnevivante.ch/2014/01/209/
  3. Dreizehn Sinne im Huuswurz (1 Michelin Star) – Culinary innovation where you would least expect it. Read more: http://www.labonnevivante.ch/2015/04/13-sinne-restaurant-review/ 
  4. Maison Manesse (1 Michelin Star) – The Enfant terrible of Zurich’s Michelin list, Maison Manesse is unusual in many aspects. The restaurant is located in a relatively unattractive part of Zurich and might lack in the ambiance department but each plate is a cubic piece of art. Read more: http://www.labonnevivante.ch/2014/01/maison-manesse-restaurant-review/
  5. Rico’s (2 Michelin Stars) – With its lovely interior Rico’s Kunststube provides a feel good ambiance but struggles to keep up in terms of innovation and ingredients.

Enjoy!

 

The restaurant belongs to the same owners who recently opened Alice Choo with a similar concept. Hato, which officially opened on 13th of November is Zurich’s latest culinary fad and has already made a name for itself. Of course, la bonne vivante ventured to the center of town to report on this new addition to Zurich’s gastronomic landscape.

Ambiance: Located in what used to be a Steakhouse and just steps away from Tamedia’s headquarter, Hato certainly found a prominent location. The interior, designed by Atelier Estimo delightfully combines a bar and dining room. The predominant color is a soft mocca brown which blends with the cream colored decor and matching curtains. To round it all off the restaurant staff is wearing traditional Chinese dresses. Hato manages to fuse an Asian vibe with a trendy and stylish décor.  On a Thursday night, the restaurant is packed and the lively crowd is a mix of bankers, expats and couples seeking a date night out.

Menu: Hato’s menu is decisively Asian with a large selection of Sushi and Dim Sum and creative compositions such as yellow fin tuna sashimi with truffles. In addition, there is a large selection of warm dishes inspired by the Asian fusion trend. La bonne vivante can recommend the truffled pumpkin and sweet potato soup, an interesting mix of sweet and spicy aromas as well as the peppered beef. For those who fancy something lighter, the Teriyaki Salmon is a tasty option too. All main courses can be ordered with a selection of side dishes such as vegetables and varieties of rice.

The cocktail menu: Start or end your feast with a delicious cocktail. The bar offers a large variety of cocktail options. La bonne vivante loved can recommend “A Geishas Kiss” a fresh champagne-based cocktail.

Conclusion: Understatement? Quite likely a term which the owners of Hato haven’t yet heard of. If you are a fan of Asian cuisine with a certain bling bling and loads of see and to be seen then Hato might just be your new favourite hang out

HATO, Brandschenkestr. 20 8001 Zürich +41 44 280 18 80

When I was a teenager, I read “Memories of a Geisha” and decided that I’d travel to Kyoto to visit this fascinating city where the story takes place. I finally got around to it combining a business trip with a short stint in Kyoto, Japan’s culture gem known for its temples and traditional gardens. With only one day to explore this incredible city, I tried to see as much as possible in as little time as possible and put together a brief inside review for visitors with an equally limited time budget.

Get there: Most international travelers will fly into Kansai Airport in Kyoto and take the bus or train from there. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Kyoto from the airport. Also, an advice for my dear friends of plastic money. Make sure to bring sufficient Yen with you. Finding an ATM, which will accept international credit cards in Kyoto, can turn into a treasure hunt. I learnt this the hard way cruising around town in a taxi finding an ATM with no change left to pay the driver.

See: Kyoto is Japan’s treasure chest when it comes to exploring the old Japan with its deeply rooted culture and traditions. For anyone with an eye for aesthetics Kyoto’s minimalistic and sophisticated architecture is delightful and inspiring. Wandering around the cobblestoned streets of Gion with an occasional Geisha scurrying past, it is impossible not to immerse in Kyoto’s mystic beauty. The city offers an incredible amount of culture sights.

Here are the two top things you definitely should not miss out on!

Kiyomizu-dera is a Unesco Heritage and an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto and offers a great panaromic view of the city.

Visit Gion and immerse in the traditional neighbourhood of Kyoto with wood-fronted teahouses and paper lanterns.

Eat: Kyoto offers endless culinary options but if you really want to splurge visit Kitcho, an elegant restaurant run by Kunio Tokuoka. Kitcho is a must visit for any true foodie but be aware dining here is an investment. Plan with roughly 800 Euros for dinner for two. http://www.kitcho.com/kyoto/chef_en/

Stay: Hyatt Regency Kyoto offers minimalistic and elegant rooms and helpful staff.http://kyoto.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

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