My personal highlight: Stepping in the kitchen at “The Butcher”, getting introduced to all properties to prepare a real juicy burger

My passion as a foodie is to be there where the magic happens: In the kitchen! A big thank you to all of the staff at The Butcher Badenerstrasse, that made this happen. I can now much better understand the work in a Burgerkitchen! Quite a lot of procedures the cooks follow to prepare the perfect burger.

A large part of the dishes can be ordered as gluten-free variation or low carb without bread!

The base for the perfect burger are high quality and fresh products. The Butcher uses regional Swiss Meat. A paddy has 140g and comes always medium cooked!
A highlight for all Vegan lovers is The Greenmountain Burger that is 100% plant based and produced in Switzerland (Graubünden). It is rich in proteins and fibre made of organic soy, pea and wheat proteins.
Available with a vegan bun. I personally recommend their traditional bun. It is one of the best in town and has a crust that is super tasty due to its beer marinade! At Badenerstrasse you can enjoy your burger in the lovely outdoor terrace!

From the moment of the order at the table it takes only 7 minutes until you get your burger on the plate!

Try the Guest favorite: Bacon & Cheese Burger

Get a variety of burgers from classical beef, Chorizo Beef to Pulled Pork BBQ and Caesar’s Chicken. Absolutely to try the Goat Cheese Burger, too!

My favorite is the classical Bacon & Cheese. The cheese mixture is a secret mix, the cheese doesn’t melt and is mild but aromatic and is places on some flavorful caramelized onions. Every burger comes with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and special sauces! The fries are made of local swiss potatoes. A secret for you: The same potatoes as the legendary Zweifel Chips! Order their home made ice teas as the ideal non-alcoholic refreshment or some regional craft beers.

Burgers vary between 13.30 CHF (simple Butcher Burger) to 18.30 CHF for the Bacon & Cheese to 20.30 CHF for the Chorizo Beef & Cheese.

Address: Enjoy The Butcher offer at several spots in town, also available as outdoor delivery!

Zurich Badenerstrasse (the one I was), Badenerstrasse 101, 8004 Zürich
Zurich Altstetten, Altstetterplatz 11, 8048 Zürich
Zurich Niederdorf, Stüssihofstatt 15, 8001 Zürich
Zurich Heinrichstrasse, Heinrichstrasse 239, 8005 Zürich
Zurich Oerlikon, Hofwiesenstrasse 363, 8050 Zürich
Zug Metalli, Gotthardstrasse 2, 6300 Zug
Bern, Aarbergergasse 36, 3011 Bern

Opening hours: (check them online to be sure for each location) Monday – Wednesday, 11 am to 11 pm, Thursday – Saturday, 11 am to 12 pm,
Sunday: 12 am to 11 pm.

In the mood of more food inspiration? Get them on my food guide!

www.thebutcher.ch

My personal highlight: Feeling like a “Miss Miu” enjoying Korean Food & dreaming big to conquer Zurich’s food world

Do you know the feeling when you wait longingly for your favorite cuisine to open in your city and the day X is finally here? That’s how I felt at the opening of Miss Miu, the new Korean Restaurant in Zurich!
Miss Miu is located at Europaallee and probably the largest Korean restaurant including a BBQ Grill in Zurich. With around 150 seats inside, 80 seats on the terrace and 40 seats in the burlesque bar guests can enjoy Korean specialities and homemade drinks in a modern and cool ambience on 430 m2. The space is decorated with a burlesque and avant-garde interior, with some little fancy corners, absolutely instagrammable, too! The staff welcomes you with a happy smile and if you are in a hurry, all food is available for take away, too. Register to their lunch newsletter here! In September a Speak Easy Bar is planned in one of their secret rooms!

Restaurant & Take away – supporting food waste with a very smart take away concept, where you can pre order from your office and pick up your order with your own crockery! The food is kept warm in a special shelf for you!

Signature dishes & more

Miss Miu serves around thirty Korean specialities. Korean Fried Chicken, the Korean BBQ, Bibimbap (around 25 CHF) and Gimbap (Korean Sushi) as a side 4 pcs CHF 9.50. Absolutely unique for Zurich: their Korean shaved Ice cream! All of that to share with your friends, the food comes in generous portions. Find their menu here.
To all vegans: the fried cauliflower with a the delicious sticky honey are absolutely excellent or the Asparagus in tempura dough, garnished with sesame seeds (CHF 9.50). Must try, too: The iron pot with pork & shrimps, chicken & broth, sweet potato noodles, cabbage, carrots, spinach, soybean sprouts & lotus root (31.50 CHF) perfect to share.

Korean BBQ – try the Busan Urban Beach Buzz

Every evening from 6 p.m. they serve delicious Korean BBQ plates in the stylish BBQ room. You can spice up the BBQ plates with a wide range of add-ons to suit your taste. Korean BBQ is great for sharing and is best enjoyed in groups! To recommend: Busan Urban Beach Buzz with a 80 gr beef cut, 40 gr, bacon & shrimps for CHF 44.

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 10.00 – 23.00, Friday Saturday: 10.00 – 24.00, Sunday: 10.00-23.00

Address: Miss Miu, Europaallee 48, 8004 Zürich, Tel. 044 260 55 22

Read the Miss Miu Story to better understand why Zurich has this place and where the design and food influences come from!

Atsuko Yamano, a talented Japanese thoroughbred cook and drummer of a punk-pop band, moved from Tokyo to neighboring South Korea in the 90s during the Asian crisis and fell in love with the tattoo artist and former bartender Park Tae-Soo during one of her jam sessions. Both didn’t have much money and tried to stay afloat with part-time jobs. Park, however, had a well-to-do aunt who was sympathetic to him – Aunt Miss Miu. The three of them spent a lot of time together and always fantasized about their own restaurant. Miss Miu was always very mysterious.

One day Miss Miu, Atsuko and Park met in front of an empty big hotel. Miss Miu typed, without hesitation, a four-digit number combination into the code lock and the door opened. Everything had already broken down a bit and you could see that it must have looked very pompous in former times, but was no longer inhabited for a long time. A former partner of Miss Miu ran this hotel some time ago and also ran a small restaurant kitchen. The business flourished, but the crisis had also hit him and he had to close his restaurant. After that he disappeared without leaving a trace and since that day the premises were yellowing.

Miss Miu asked Park and Atsuko if they could imagine opening a restaurant here together. She knew the landlord and still had some money on her side. The two looked each other briefly in the shining eyes. They were not allowed to miss such an opportunity. The three were a perfect team. Atsuko, with her many years of experience in the kitchen and her extravagant way of cooking, put together a selection of menus that were both enthusiastic and astounding. She loved her local Japanese cuisine and at the same time had enjoyed the new Korean dishes so much that she wildly combined both cuisines.

Miss Miu turned out to be a true design genius. The young and extraverted service staff flashed around between the tables with Miss Miu’s freaked out dresses, tattoos from Park and cheeky sayings and left a unique impression on the guests with their personality, which echoed weeks after the visit and made them laugh. The bartender past of Park turned out to be the icing on the cake. He developed completely in the art of cocktails and created drinks in flower vases, with shaved ice and with flavours that enraptured when tasting.

www.miss-miu.ch

My personal highlight: Throwback to my roots and traditions from Calabria discovering a cozy place in Kreis 4, Zurich

The food discoveries in Zurich continue covering restaurants that offer Italian Cuisine from the south. After traditional food from Puglia in May it’s time to move more south towards the heel of the Italian boot. Calabria!

This is the region where I was born, here is where my heart gets emotional.

What food specialities is Calabria famous for?

Extra-virgin olive oil, wines, bergamot liqueurs, peperoncino and jams from Calabria are incomparable. One world famous delicacy is the red onion called Cipolla rossa di Tropea which is mild and a bit sweeter than other varieties. Another speciality is the Nduja. A paste consisting of noble pork meat, fresh cream of red hot chili pepper and extra virgin olive oil.

Chianalea is a place in Reggio Calabria. A pearl where the beaches are turquoise and small fisher houses make you feel remote from the world. Enrico is the owner of the Ristorante Chianalea in Kreis 4. He ist the perfect Calabrian host and cook when it comes to make your soul and belly happy. The ingredients are simple with a genuine taste. All is hand made, so the sweet sour peperoncino jam on the bruschetta or the eggplant pickles.

Experience food & entertainment at Chianalea. The music is on, the staff moves dynamic from table to table. Find a uncomplicated and homy ambience. The path of Enrico’s journey since he came to Zurich is displayed everywhere in the restaurant on beautiful pictures and articles. His love for food & Italy is obvious.

The only restaurant in Zurich where the owner shouts through the megaphone to tell you to lower the voice and enjoy the silence for a moment

Enrico doesn’t shy to remind you by shouting into his megaphone to slow down and relax. He loves to communicate with his guests. Making jokes is an easy way to remind that life is simple! I fall in love with the story he shared driving with his fiancé on a Vespa from Zurich to Sicily!

Signature dishes at Chianalea Restaurant

Enjoy a traditional antipasto plate to share. It’s the best way to get introduced to the culture of Calabria. As a second plate try their pasta with tomato sauce and pork salsiccia. The daily menu varies. Find fish or meat with side dishes as grilled seasonal vegetables. The wine selection is from Calabria, too. Absolutely to recommend is the fruity bit dry red wine called Scilla IGT rosso from criserà.

The pizza is worth trying, too! To end your dinner order a typical digestif called Vecchio amaro del Calabro. This is the moment when you finally should fee a bit Calabrese! It’s a must! Curious to experience it by yourself? Make a reservation here.

The prices are in super relation for what you get. Starters as of 8.50 CHF, main dishes with pasta as of 24 Chf.

Address: 

Chianalea, Brauerstrasse 87, 8004 Zürich

Opening hours: 

Monday – Friday: 11.30-14.00 & 18.00-24.00 Saturday: 18.00-24.00

www.chianalea.ch

My personal highlight: The serving staff is there to make you feel home – don’t be surprised if Mamma Pina sits next to you for a chat after the meal

Welcome to Puglia in Zurich. Here is the place to enjoy fresh and handmade pasta, pesce, carne & dolci.

Caffè e Ristorante Mandarino is located at the train station Stadelhofen. Bindella created a temporary space for lovers of the Puglia Cuisine. A typical sort of pasta served are orecchiette (means little ears). This pasta comes best with veggies, either broccoli or cime di rapa. Find Meat and Fish made after traditional recipes, too. I had some delicious stuffed calamares with bread, red wine and black olives!

The interior of the restaurant is simple and arranged with much love. The porcelain used to serve the meals has been hand selected in a little village in Puglia from the Bindella Manager Davide and perfectly reflects the tradition of eating pasta with the family. A wonderful antique hand-painted portrait from the 1800 showing a madonna from Puglia gives a special touch to the living room ambience.

Where the mamma chats to you and food is served with passion

Don’t be surprised if the food is served directly from the pot into your plate, or if the Mama sits next to you for a lovely chat. The uncomplicated and very family like ambience here makes this place adorable and very unique.

Enjoy a lunch menu or dinner with best wines from Puglia. Maybe you prefer a piece of hand made cake with a coffee! Convince yourself! Make a reservation here.

Address: mandarino, Kreuzbühlstrasse 1, 8008 Zürich

Opening hours:
Caffè: Mo – Fr,  07.00 – 23.00 Uhr,  Sa – So   09.00 – 23.00 Uhr
Ristorante: Mo – So   11.30 – 14.00 Uhr / 18.00 – 23.00 Uhr

www.mandarino-zurigo.ch

My personal highlight: Sitting 3 hours at the counter at Yu-An Zurich observing the owner Ken creating finger licking inside out rolls

Being a food blogger doesn’t mean you have to try every place in town. In my case I try to focus on selected quality food only and on the authenticity of a place. A further criteria for me is the experience which includes the kindness of the staff and a comfortable surrounding. My good nose brought me to Stauffacher this month at the Japanese Restaurant Yu-An located at Werdstrasse 66, Zurich.

Feel the Izakaya Style at Yu-An

In the 1600ies Japanese sake shops started to serve customers skewers and other light bites. This was the beginning of izakayas – literally meaning “sitting in a sake shop”. Nowadays you find these places all over Japan as after-work watering holes that offer an inexpensive and kind of informal dining. This is a philosophy that I guess you truly feel at Yu-An and Kokoro in Zurich.

I knew about the very successfully, Gault-Milliau awarded Japanese Restaurant Kokoro, located in a side street of Langstrasse (since 2015) managed by the same owner Ken Groh and his partner Mioh Suguro. Why not discovering the second project Yu-An run through my mind.

The traditional Izakaya Food Philosophy is a main component of both restaurants. That is what I understand and feel there. You share different warm and cold dishes from seafood to beef and sushi rolls or sashimi.

What to point out at Yu-An ?

The ambience

Dining here throws you back to Japan not only because of the traditional food but also because of the originality of the interior. Some of the picture that hang at the wall contain original rarities of Japanese magazines that belonged to Ken’s grandfather. Sitting at the counter observing the inside out rolls being prepared is something you have to experience. Hearing a Japanese conversation and the pleasant sound of the language makes my ears happy. ( I do no understand a word though).

The food

You have a great selection of warm and cold dishes, all prepared fresh with premium quality products by Chef Tatsunori and the staff. I suggest to try a degustation menu and share plates. You find weekly specials for meat lovers and vegetarians.

My absolute favorites: Their inside out rolls! Choose the Tiger roll that comes with a tempura fried tender shrimp, cucumber inside and outside a spicy tuna avocado. The Salmon Aburi roll has some salmon, ginger, cucumber and shiso, outside a salmon flambé and home made sauce. If you like beef, absolutely choose the Entrecôte Teriyaki roll or the Beef roll flambé! Food porn included.

Guess what makes Yu-An special in town is the really superb choice of rolls!

What else to try beside inside out rolls? Pork and Soft Shell Crab Karage, please!

Go for some seafood! The Soft Shell Karage is a crab marinated and fried. Its taste is very light and spicy.
Add a meat plate: The Buta Kakuni is a slow-coked piece of pork breast with a creamy fat layer melting as butter on the palate. It is spiced up just perfect with a Japanese mustard.

For lunch: Try their Poké bowls, the menu comes with a soup or salad. The one with the onsen egg is a must try! Otherwise get a gourmet lunch menu for CHF 46.5o. It comes with a miso soup, a small salad, sushi & sashimi, beef, salmon or shrimps in a hot pan and Japanese rice.

Opening hours: Tue – Fri  11:30 – 14:30, Tue – Sa  18:30 – 22:30

Address: Werdstrasse 66, 8004 Zürich, Kreis 4

www.yu-an.ch