My personal highlight: The cross-cultural mix reflects best in food: trying the first time ever a dynamite spring roll Philippine Style!

“Stay hungry and foolish” is doubtless my motto of live! Foodblogging is made 100%  for me. My curious mind brought me to discover Pinatubo Restaurant – a Philippine Restaurant located at Klingenstrasse 33 close to Limmatplatz in Zurich. My travels did not make it to this magic country, yet, this is going to be my first experience of Philippine Food.

Julius Pozon the manager, introduces me to their culture and food. The Philippine Cuisine is influenced by a tremendous number of countries. China is one of the influencers, this explains spring rolls on the menu. America seems to have an other impact, too. I find buffalo wings and banana ketchup used in the preparation. Even similarities to Indonesian and Spanish food! The most famous Philippine dish is called Lechon (roasted pig). Ingredients that catch my attention are toyo (soy sauce) and patis (fish sauce), as well as the method of stir frying and making savory soup bases. Due to the countries’ vast coastlines there is of course an abundance of excellent seafood, too.

All that said, lets discover their menu! For all Indonesia lover, check my travel section here. Get inspired about the beauty of South East Asia. Traveling to the Philippine Islands is on my bucket list!

Signature dishes: Roasted crispy deep-fried pork, beef stew or milkfish?

Are you planning a big group dinner, absolutely go for the Boddle fight! Sounds weird? A Boddle fight originates from the Philippine Military. A big pile of food served in the middle of a long table. It’s originally eaten by hand. It used to symbolize brotherhood and equality in the military. The word fight refers to the act of grabbing and eating as much food as possible before it runs out.

The Buddle fight menu is the best choice to get an introduction into the Philippine Cuisine!

As starters find chicken buffalo wings Philippine Style, dynamite spring rolls that come in a long green pepper (not spicy) filled with minced beef and cheddar cheese.

Try main dishes as the Tapsilog: Beef stripes with a fried egg on top, cucumber, tomato and fried rice. The dish called Caldreta is a good option for a beef stew with veggies and rice. Must try: The Philippine Pilsener Beer San Miguel (obviously a Spanish influence) and for dessert: fried banana roll with ice cream and caramel sauce.

Lunch Menu are available for 11– 15.50 CHF, take away. The boddle fight for 78 CHF (2 P), main dishes starting with 18.50 CHF

Opening hours: Lunch buffet (no à la carte) Monday – Friday 11:30-14:00,
À la Carte Monday – Sunday 18:00-22:00

Address: Pinatubo Restaurant Klingenstrasse 33, 8005 Zürich, TEL: +41 44 273 76 70

https://www.pinatubo.ch

My personal highlight: Traditional Neapolitan Pizza – I am happy I have found you crispy & wood fired

Living in Zurich is absolutely a privilege. The choice of international food is diverse, you don’t get annoyed so fast. Nevertheless, it took me a while to find a pizza place, that makes the pizza according to my desire and demand.

How a pizza should be if you ask my opinion

The pizza bottom thin and crispy, but slightly chewy on top, the tomato sauce fresh, ideally with San Marzano tomatoes grown in the rich volcanic soil. The cheese only premium Italian Quality Fior di Latte. It’s a second variant of mozzarella created using fresh cow’s milk. The alternative that can be used is Mozzarella di Bufala from the Campania region. This is made by using the fresh milk of water buffalos. Other cheeses do not belong on top of a pizza!

How to recognize the difference: the mozzarella melts and the Fior di Latte forms a string,

I have found a pizza following my requirements at Ristorante Più located at Kasernenstrasse 95 / Europaallee in the old Sihlpost. The restaurant belongs to the well-known family Bindella offering traditional Italian cuisine in several restaurant in Switzerland.

Talking to one of their Managers Davide Di Salvo made me immediately understand, that important ingredients are passion and care in the selection of every single ingredient. He shares with me the secret of the Fior di Latte used on their pizza. I prefer Fior di Latte on the pizza, since it is less fat than typical mozzarella and makes my stomach not fill full after the meal. The dough they prepare at Più gets enough time to rest, at least 48 hours, this makes the dough ideal to digest.

Did you know, that the art of Neapolitan pizza making has joined UNESCO’s list of “intangible heritage”?

The Pizzaiolo team is from South Italy of course, I feel home sharing stories about food and observing them creating the magic that comes in a approx. 400 degrees heated wood fired oven. After only 3 minutes the pizza is crispy and ready for me. The ambience at Più is typical Italian. The building is spacious, stylish and with true Italian vibes. I feel happy here!

Choose between two basic pizza and create your individual one!

In the mood to choose by yourself what comes on your pizza? Try this concept at Più: order between the Marinara pizza (tomato sauce, garlic, oregano) and the Margherita (tomato sauce, fior di latte, basil) as the base. Get toppings to share with your friends. Grilled vegetables, parmesan cheese slices, bresaola, fresh tuna or rucola for example.

Try their antipasto with the burrata and the pane carasau. It is a unique, very thin crispy bread you would only get 1000 Km far away on a Sardinian Island! An absolute must. The matching aperitivo is the Apertas, it has some Aperol, lime juice and a cortese cedrata made of a very special Italian Lemon sort.

Do you like to enjoy a quality pizza to go, try their area next to the main restaurant. The pizza is smaller of course, costs start as of 9 CHF (marinara). In the main restaurant Pizza start as of 22 CHF (Pizza dello Chef with ham and champignons)

Soon I will be exploring their other branch at Schiffbau that has been recommended to me to be a unique place for other true Italian dishes.

Address: Kasernenstrasse 95, 8004 Zürich

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday:  11.30–14.30 / 17.30–23.30 uhr , Friday: 11.30–14.30 / 17.30–24 .00,  Saturday: 11.30–24.00, Sunday: 11.30–23.00

In the mood of more restaurants in Zurich? Get inspiration on my food guide here.

www.piu-ristorante.ch