Orsini – Savoy, Zurich – you wash I’ll dry

Some venues can be quite intimidating to walk into. One such occasion was an evening meal at the Italian restaurant Orsini inside the Savoy hotel in Zurich. On entering the hotel we asked at the reception for directions as there was no sign of the restaurant. No problem said the receptionist. I will show you the way. She then led us into the huge hotel kitchen. For a horrible moment I thought she had mistaken us for dishwashers. Fortunately we emerged through a small door into the restaurant….whew!

Zurich 114
The correct entrance

The food was okay but unremarkable. It was more interesting to watch the wealthy guests. The elderly lady who wouldn’t take off her fur coat even while eating her meal and the the middle aged man with a young redheaded twin on each arm. So from that point of view it was good value 😉

 

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Petermann’s Kunststuben – visiting the Gastro Gnomes!

While visiting the famous Gastro Gnomes of Zurich, we made a reservation at Petermann’s Kunststuben.
Knomes of Zurich
Gnomes of Zurich

We went for the tasting menu, the idea being to experience the widest possible range of food in what is often described as Zurichs top restaurant.  I really have no complaints with the food itself, which was off a high standard, the problem was the limitations in the tasting menu. Every course in a tasting menu by its very nature, should be different. That was not the case here, several identical ingredients were used in more that one course…..a mortal sin in my book 😉

 

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Abode – not so inviting!

Before I visited Abode in Canterbury, I had read a  review by a well known food critic which I thought was a bit harsh, this is after all one of Michael Caines projects.  Boy was I wrong, if anything he was being too kind!

When we arrived we were left waiting for what seemed an age as there was no staff in the dining room. Not a good start.

The food when it arrived was totally underwhelming, some of it was just downright unpleasant.  One desert tasted like play doh© and another tasted like cigarette ash.

The kitchen also recently came under criticism from other sources, see Caterersearch.

The service was in general chaotic. What was particularly hard to swallow was that they charged London Michelin star prices. You would get better value taking the train to London than eating here. Sadly another “Faux Gourmet” experience to chalk up.

Abode apparently merits 2 AA Rosettes – the definition for this is “Innovation, greater technical skill and more consistency and judgement in combining and balancing ingredients are all needed at this level.”

On leaving our opinion was that the only talent there was the busker playing outside.

 

 

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Eating and Drinking Guide (London Bridge, Bermondsey, Bankside – Southwark)

There are lots of restaurants to choose from in the Southwark area.  I have listed a few of my favorites.

Del’Aziz – Mediterranean Delicatessen and Brasserie, good venue for Cakes and Brunch.

Delfina – well cooked, quality food. Open for breakfast and lunch, occasional evening openings.

José – José Pizarro’s tiny Tapas bar in Bermondsey Street.

Tas (Borough High Street) and Tas Pide (Bankside)

Tapas Brindisa – Close to Borough Market

The Table – Tucked away a couple of streets behind the Tate Modern, it’s ideal for late Breakfasts and Brunch.

The Hide Bar – excellent selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails, it also does regular wine tastings.

Village East (171-173 Bermondsey Street) – Good venue for carnivores, a popular place that does excellent steaks.

Vinopolis – There are several restaurants in the “City of Wine”. The Cantina Vinopolis is the best one in my view.

Zucca – Bermondsey’s answer to the River Cafe.

 

 

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The Ritz – putting it on!

A group of us arranged to have lunch at the Ritz.

P101009_13.06They have a very reasonably priced set lunch menu and a comprehensive wine list that includes several “less” expensive bottles of wine (i.e., under £30).

We had the best table in the restaurant, (top right corner) as it afforded a view of the stunning room and the garden area. The restaurant is a “stickler” for the Jacket and Tie rule (they will supply ties if necessary), as is the Rivoli Bar. The bar I was not so impressed with, the decor in particular is very garish.

The restaurant in the Ritz has 2 AA Rosettes, which sounds about right.

Marks out of 10

Food 6.5

Service 8

Ambience (in the restaurant) 8, (in the bar) 4

UPDATE December 2011 – The prices have gone up since this visit and the food has really improved, see post

 

 

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RSJ – loves those Loire valley wines

RSJ delivers good rustic food and an excellent selection of wines from the Loire valley. Spread over three floors, the upstairs room is by far the nicest.

RSJ

We have had a couple of stand out dishes here over the course of a few visits. The Pumpkin soup and the Poached pear with Perkin ice cream for example.

RSJ have 2 AA Rosettes, which sounds about right.

Marks out of 10

Food 5.5

Service 6

Ambience 5

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