Yuka Davatz's blog

Blaue Ente Zurich

Blaue Ente = Blue Duck. A resturant in Zürich where you can try out in special occation. The restaurant is locates behind Tiefenbrunnenm quite hidden aread.

The entrance is really "blue".

A huge mill on the floor drag your attention first. Partially open kitchen is also comfortable.

A table decoration. S slightly blue colored glass and gray based linen might come from the name of the restaurant?

We found something very special. Not so many restaurants in Zurich offer Oyster. We tried out 2 pieces for each. It would be better if they have some varieties of sauces. Quality of Oysters were nice and fresh.

Among variety of appetizer, I took dear carpaccio with rucola salad, served with rasberry sauce. Nice and light.

My husband took Blaue Ente's original Ravioli with mushroom sauce.

Hmmm this is my main course. St. John's sauteed fish with a bed of artichoke. Together with gently served mushed potatoes! Fish is so tender and it's skin was crispy. It was very delicious.

My husband had beef steak with sauteed cucumber, together with roasted potato. It looked good but he said it was not juicy enough.

Since we were already quite full, we decided to share one dessert, a chocolate cake. Freshly baked from oven and from inside came out melted chocolate. Peppermint tea were also real fresh leaves.

Small cakes are served as dessert. My husband ate them up before I take photo..

Blaue Ente. Perfect for romantic dinner, Christmas dinner for family, even for business dinner!

Restaurant Blaue Ente

Mühle Tiefenbrunnen,

Seefeldstr. 223, 8008 Zürich

Telefon 044 388 68 40

http://www.blaue-ente.ch/

Ginger Japanese restaurant in Zurich

There are not so many selections if you want to have GOOD Japanese food in Zurich. This time, my Japanese friend encouraged me to try out this restaurant, "Ginger"

I've been here once but didn't know that it have been rennovated. There are 2 rooms and the one close to the entrance is "Kaiten Sushi"(rotating sushi) style. Rennovated room is in behind where more than 2 people can dine together, facing each others. The photo above was "Shabu Shabu Salad". Salad with a boiled, sliced pork.

Some nice rolls. The one with green leave, Shiso is an vegetarian roll. The one behind is Tempura schrimp roll. Of course there are some authentic sushi for real fish lover.

There is Japanese chef, making sushi in front of guests.

Chawanmushi. How shall I translate.. steamed egg soup?

A tower of Furofuki Daikon! Boiled radish with tasty sweet miso sauce.. Hmmm, healthy and delicious!

But some stuffs are funny Japanese and Western mixture. Tempura..? With nuts??

Otsukemoto=Pickles. I've never seen Pickes serve like this:) They looks like salad!!

Some mixture turns out to be great new creation!! White fish rolled with herb..

Fried fish lying underneath is crispy and crunchy. My husband was even eating it's head..

It's also funny to see pine corn and peppers in the sushi counter.. But I think Ginger offers pretty much good food.

A group of Japanese lady behind us, who obviously look like living here for many years, were also enjoying lady's Friday night! So check out Ginger.

Ginger

Seefeldstrasse 62

8008 Zurich

+41 44 422 9509

MEGU New York

We went to this fancy contemporary Japanese restaurant on our last night in New York.

As we went in, I was amazed by huge Japanese flag.

While we were waiting for our table to get ready, we decided to have some drinks in bar.

The bar was also designed cool, all these wraps on the wall are "Washi", traditional Japanese paper. Obviously, this place is one of the most stylish places to go out.

We ordered unique original cocktail called "Ginger drop" and "Tokyo celebrities". Both are Champaigne based cocktails.

I also have to amaze as we entered the dining room. Illuminated Buddha is sitting in the middle of the dinning hall!!

We've got one of cozy booth seats which you can enjoy completely private time. Sushi bar is also available for those sushi lovers.

The table decoration was also gorgeous but these plates will be taken away as soon as you are at seats.

So we started from Sashimi Salad. From it's name, we imagined green salad topped with slices of Sashimi. But what has been served was this!

It was a salad rolled with Yuba (soy), colourfully topped three different chopped Sashimi. It is indeed a BEAUTIFUL dish.

The next one is this, sauteed scallops. In Megu, you won't get something just sateed. Soft, juicy scallops are decorated with sliced of apples and sesami.

By the way, a bottle of water is also original. The logo of the restaurant with "water" written in Japanese.

Fried "panko" oysters. These are popular Japanese home food known as "Fried oyster". But I've never seen fried oyster served so elegant:) Each fries have bed of their shells:)

Screwed Kobe beef and french fries, fired in truffel oil!! Even french fries can be so gorgeous.

and here comes the action! Stone grilled Mediterenian fish. This performance has been shown right in front of us. The sauce burned on the hot stones leads such a good smell, encourage your appetite.

and the fish was cooked perfectly. Green onion make it even more tasty.

I actually wanted to have Miso soup at the end but again found this unique one. White Miso Tokyo style cram chowder..

It was a light smell of miso but basically a cram chowder served elegantly. I was amazed by this plate.

Selection of tea was also nice. I ordered ginger Rooibos tea. It comes in a big pot. which fill three cups.

Here comes another action! Tofu panna cotta with illuminated ices!! It was fun, and tofu panna cotta was healthy and good, but one thing we are dissapointed is that this panna cotta was not the exactly what we have ordered. We wanted the one with fruits but it was sold out and they just brought us the one with esporesso. They could have asked us before serving the wrong one.

This green tea creme brule was very very good. Match very good with Yuzu ice cream.

If you want to experience "Japanese food only available in US", this is the place to go. Enjoy dynamic Japanese food. There must be always something new to explore!

MEGU 62 Thomas Street New York, NY 10013 Cross Street: Church and West Broadway (212) 964-7777

Tibetisches Restaurant Mandala

Tibetisches Restaurant Mandala

I found very unique restaurant in the area Seefeld in Zurcih. It's a Tibetisches Restaurant!

The restaurant is locating in a quite area of Seefeld where you can hardly find without knowing where it is.

We were there from early evening but soon the restaurant became full.

Dumpling is called "Momo" here. The above is fried vegetable Momos. Very juicy.

and this one is steamed pork Momos.These are appetizer portion but you can chose also main course portion.

This one was very interesting. "Fish sweet-sour sauce curry with Cashew nuts. Sounds very challenging but was acually very good!!

It was served together with Tibetish bread. A little bit chewy and was very tasty with curry sauce. Steamed bread was less heavy than normal bread.

and our main course! Golden Tofu with vegetables! I was soo curious what "golden tofu". Ok, crispy fried tofu is "golden":)
It was served with full bowl of vegetables including asian mushroom.

I have to point out that service was also very comforbtable. Attentive asian waiter seeing whole hall and he never miss our "sign" when we want him.

Tibetisches Restaurant Mandala
Feldeggstrasse 65
8008 Zurich
TEL:043-499-9968
http://www.mandala4u.com/4455.html

mund+Art

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Zürich. The name "Mund+Art", has two meanings, "mouth and art" which is direct translation and also "Swiss German". (swiss German is only spoken language so it's been said as an art) The name eactly represents the concept of this restaurant which you can experience "very modern and unique Swiss cuisine".

Normally, in typical Swiss food restaurant, it's often designed classic and simple. Sometimes they are like a lodge house in mountain. But here "Mund+Art" shows you something new. The modern designed interior coordinated with red which is "Swiss colour".

A unique table decoration drag your attention.

The restaurant always has some seasonal menu and original menu. In autumn, they offer many seasonal dishes with mushrooms.

Our salad was finished soooo quickly:)

Our main menu. Grilled pork topped with tomato and Swiss cheese. The name of the dish sounds typical Swiss but it actually turned out to be very unique and original. It is an "art".

Grilled swiss fish with spinach. Sauteed spinach served like a scoop of ice cream! A light dish who wants little bite.

Stewed lamb with seasonal vegetables. Lamb meat were very soft and tender. For me, all the portion was perfect. When you have Swiss food, they are usually heavy with plenty of meats and cheese. But here, since the concept is an "art", the decoration is important than portion.. which is perfect for real gourmet!

Don't forget to treat yourself with sweet temptation..

Wildberry Purfait. Check how much berries are served! Perfect for those berry lovers!

Nuts torte with carame sauce. Sounds heavy but actually not. The cake was very light and airy.

Ruberb pie with home made johgurt ice cream. This is really an ART!! Combination of warm Ruberb and crunchy pie is like a dream, followed by sweet sauer johgurt icecream melt gently in warm warm Ruberb sauce. All these dessers are indeed an art. They are served in big place but they won't make you suffer after full meal. This artistic presentation satisfies you and also light cakes and fruits give you perfect delight to finish the meal.

I also like how they served tea..!

What I also have to point out is this confortable service. When I first time came here, I was impressed by friendly service and also a manager who see us off saying "Thank you for your visit". This time, the manager greeted each table and we had small chat with her. She is very professional.

When we left the restaurant, Swiss cross designed candy were given.

The restaurant is along the Seefeld strasse where you find many places to dine out. But don't forget to try this place at least once..!
 
 

Restaurant Mund+Art Wiesenstrasse 1 8008 Zürich TEL:044 380 1919 www.mundundart.ch

The WOLSELEY - traditional restaurant in London-

The Wolseley. One of the most traditional restaurant in London locating on Piccadilly street.

I could not make reservation for dinner but able to squeeze in on Sunday afternoon.

The restaurand is "all-day dining" and it seems to be continuously full.

High ceiling and classical interior. The old clock on the wall is it's symbol.

Afternoon tea is something proper to order considering the time a day.. but we have ordered something different..

In stead of afternoon tea plate, we ordered "seafood plate"!!

Look at this huge crab on the top! I even digger whole the brain! My husband freak out to see me finishing everything:)

It was such a long battle fighting with all the shells and shrimps..

What we couldn't miss is of course SWEETS! and GOOD TEA!!

My husband was more that satisfied with his cheese cake. He said "it is like a poem!!" and didn't share it with me!

Mein was Sachtorte,,a huge chocolate cake. It was good but too heavy. The one in the middle is "Assortment of cookies". Shortbread was very good. Tea in the huge pot was also amazing. We ordered special darjiling tea which has described as a "first pick".

After this huge dessert in the afternoon, we had to skip our dinner.. but it was absolutely worth! It was great "English afternoon".

The WOLSELEY
160 Piccadilly
London QIJ 9EB
020 7499 6996

Yauatcha

"Modern chinese restaurant is now trendy in London" that's what we heard from our friend living in London and Yauatcha was in the list of his recommendation.

As our friend said "modern" it is a very cool designed restaurant which reminds me of dining scene in Tokyo.

The restaurant was consist of 2 stories and both has beautiful aquarium.

Indirect light of many candles (fake) in the wall create romantic atmosphere.

I was very excited.

Before we order, soon these two sauces are served. Hmm, interesting. I thought soy sauce must come first in stead of these chile sauce.

Anyhow, I ordered couple of Dim Sum

and my absolute favorite Shronpo "soup dim sum". Ohhhhhhhh I love it!!

Shoronpo is very difficult to steam perfectly. Real Shoronpo contains full soup inside. Look these Shronpo here, you can see good enough soup inside.. You carefully pick up one of them try not break the skin and run out soup. Then you can enjoy hot juicy soup together with meat ball inside. Ohhhhh what a harmony!!

Then I opened next bascket of Shronpo,,, and SHOCKED!!!!! All soup are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was too shocked and even forgot to make a photo. (damn!!)

No soup, no right Shoronpo....

I mean, I should have return them. I should not accept these defective Shoronpo! First one was great so why it can't be same??

I was very very dissapointed but next dishes were great. Lobster Tail and Chinese vegetable sautee.

We also enjoyed duch wrap. Kind of Pekin Duck but more casual one.

Dessert was assorted ice cream. We were already to full so shared this one dish.

The restaurant has lots of seats but it was consistently full. Obviously it is now a "trend" in London. I believe the variety of drinks make this restaurant also very popular. We didn't order but many people had huge glass of fruits cocktail.

For those who enjoyed girl's or boy's night out, how about small gift for your partner? You can get some small sweets at pastry locating next to the reception.

Yauatcha 15-17 Broadwick Street Soho, London W1F0DL

L'ATELIER de Joel Robuchon - London

On the 2nd night in London, we met a friend who is living in London and whose boyfriend is a cook. It was a restaurant which she has chose... who knows everything good in London!

L'ATELIER de Joel Robuchon which is one of the most trendy French Restaurant in London.

 

 

Here, everything you order can be a piece of art. I've been Robshon's restaurant in Tokyo but I enjoyed both taste and a sight in every visit.

 

 

First, we enjoyed cocktail at the bar.

Our drink are served with a lid of rose.

 

 

My husband got original cocktail here. It was served with fruits chips. Some were served with jelly. It is a collaboration of taste. Again, it's a unique creation of Robuchon.

Robuchon is quite known for it's bar style dining but we had a nice table. Yes, bar style is good for 2 people but table is better for 3 or more people.

 

Kitchen was open.

 

 

Starting from bread and the oive oil served together, everything you see is artistic.

 

Amusument served to each were capccino of truffel.  Capuccino is one of the typical of Robuchon.

 

 

As an appetizer, I have ordered Abalone with Arthichoke. Abalone were sliced underneath the blanket of Artichoke. It was very good.

 

A dish ordered by my friend was also beautiful. It was a lobster in gently foamed sauce.

 

Our table was decorated by beautiful dishes.

 

As a main dish, I ordered today's recommendation, scallop.

 

 

 

and was very amazed by it's presentation. It looks like a flower!! It was a layer of scallops and leaves of vegetables. Scallops are delicately grilled.

 

A selection of my friend was also good. Quail stuffed with foie gras.

 

We enjoed our dish with wine strongly recommended by sommelier. He was great. He chose 3 different wine for each of us considering our order. We could tell that he really enjoying his work!

 

So, of course we won't miss sweet part of the evening. After we ordered desserts, dessert spoon with golden poweder came.

 

Another artistic dish came. My friend and I ordered same. Caramel and vanilla with ginger flavor. Underneath white square cake hiding ice cream. So interesting that white chocolate is placed on the corner of the plate.

 

Tea also didn't dissapoint me. Often, even after great dinner, I'm dissapointed by the tea served in tea bag. But Robuchon goes beyong my expectation. The pot of my Pffermint tea containg full real mint tea!! It was so fresh and washed out every oil I got from the dinner. It was so comfortable.

 

 

The restaurant is perfect for date or special occation, especially girls who want to enjoy good food in small portion. Again, every dish a small piece of art which satisfies you from the appearance.

Palermo

It was a gathering of "welcome back" of a my husband's good friend. Since wife and girlfriends are also allowed to join, I was able to join. I was very curious what kind of restaurant will be chosen from "cool cool friends" who know everything good in Zürich.

It was a hidden restaurant away from main street. I will never step into this restaurant without being informed..

You cannot see how the restaurant is like from outside.

But once I got in, I was amazed by it's comfortable atmosphere and simple, nice table set.

It was funny that our table are "private room" where you have to go through the kitchen. Friends were all aready there.

The menu has been already fixed but you may still tell waitress your preferences. I specially requested fish in stead of steak.

As a amusement, cold mushroom soup were served in a small cup. You drink it up without using spoon. It was very delicious.

Appetizer was octopus carpaccio! You cannot get so many good seafoods in Zürich (as far as I know) but this carpaccio was good.

Second dish was pasta. Half ravioli, half talliata.

Main dish were steak. I think portion is good.

I had fish in stead. Sea bass was gently sauteed, it was good.

But actually, what impressed me the most on this night was dessert surprise!!

One of the friends secretly organized special dessert as a "welcome surprise".

I love to arrange such a nice surprise but once I've been rejected from the restaurant to have such an arrangement. So I thought special dessert decoration is only possible on birthday. But here in Palermo, friendly waitress are up to anything. Indeed, this hospitality spirit can be seen through whole service. It was very attentitive.

Rive Gauche

March 14 is "white day" in Japan when men have to show their affection torward their wife and lovers. Instead in Japan, men don't have to worry about Valentine's day.

Last month on Valentine's day, I arranged nice restaurant and also baked cookies. Normally women gave chocolates to men but since there are tons of great chocolates in Switzerland, I decided to bake cookies in stead.

When me appreciated what women has organized on Valentine's day, they have to do same on March 14. It's kind of "thank you day? for men.

My husband, who is not from such a culture, put March 14 on his schedule not to forget:) (otherwise he has to experience big explosion of his wife. very dangerous)

"Rive Gauche" one of the most cool restaurant in Zürich.

Very modern and popular, stylishly designed. Trendy place among Zurich people.

We toasted with Berini. Hmmm, a peach flavor was sweet and good.

As a started, I've chosen Tuna Tartar. Tuna and smoked salmon assorted with salad. It was nice and light.

Bouyon soup ordered by my husband were also nice. Two pieces od Ravioli were inside. Soup seems to be cooked for hours, tasted very deep.

I ordered huge Lamb Chop was main dish.

My husband ordered beeg cutlet. That was huge. Between our dishes stands mountain of mushed potato:) Together with olives, it tasted very good. (just too huge!) My spinach side dish was also good.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was very nice. All the couces are white and matche very good with other table decoration. Service was also comfortable. Our waiter heard me very good. (very important for me to communicate in german!)

I took warm chocolate cake which has been recommended by waiter. Together with Vanilla icecream. Cream is on the corner of the place. You can enjoy variety of combination. Cherries are also hiding underneath the icecream. My husband ordered creme brule. We even enjoyed dessert wine.

My husband compared the restaurant with "New York Grill" which is one of the best restaurants in Tokyo. Of course, not so many restaurants can beat that great dining there nor can Rive Gauche.

But I was very satisfied with the face that my husband arranged something special for white day and also the quality of restaurant.
Again, I got to know somethig new in Zürich.