Sweets-erland!
WHILE THE GENERATIONS-OLD CHOCOLATE houses such as Läderach, Sprüngli, Confiserie Teuscher and
Lindt abound across Zurich, there are several ambitious chocolatiers confidently pulling in locals and visitors who are craving something new in one of Switzerland's beloved generations-old industries.
Vollenweider's Theaterstrasse location, around the corner from the Zurich Opera House, has a cart outside its chic black marble boutique offering a selection of vegan and dairy gelato cornettos. Worth 5 Swiss francs? Unquestionably. The sublime stracciatella cone's core is a thin but powerful layer of chocolate that punctuates the rich but balanced ice cream it holds. To immerse yourself deeper into this world, experience the many “acts” inside this chic black marble theater of delights. Some examples include Cosi Fan Tutte (with hazelnuts), Der Rosenkavalier (rose water ganache), Romeo and Juliet ( heart-shaped raspberry), Orpheus ( hazelnut praline), Fidelio (caramel ganache) and Carmen (chocolate mousse). If a gift box doesn't sing to your intended recipient, give him or her a bar with a real golden ticket (2% dark chocolate with 22-karat gold).
Not to be outdone, Lindt has doubled down on its lingering legacy with the opening of
Lindt Home of Chocolate in a scenic residential section of Zurich on the lake. The inner workings are Swiss Engineering meets Willy Wonka, from an open-concept factory with machinery moving full swing, to a massive chocolate fountain, to a workshop where guests learn about the company's history and get to create their own priceless edible masterpiece. While you won't need a golden ticket for this winning extravaganza, you will need an advance reservation. If you're staying in Zurich longer, visit Vollenweider's website to register for some chocolate crafting master classes.
video demos of cocktail recipes). The libations run the gamut from delicate champagne cocktails ( Strawberry & Rhubarb Bellini) and non-alcoholic drinks ( Yemeni, with coconut, lime, kombucha and cumin) with fresh muddled fruit and herbs to bold gin ( Lime Tree Collins) and barrel-aged brown spirits creations. Many are rendered in colours that play off the plush, jewel-toned seating and accompanied with Indian and Thai-spiced bar snacks.
Tsibis' drinks are also perfect foils for an impressive food menu with dishes adapted from the Hyatt's 15 Gault Millau-rated main restaurant parkhuus (helmed by Chef de Cuisine Tarik Lange). While the enormous Swiss-beef hamburger is the stuff of legend, Tsibis steers me towards a surprisingly flavourful protein bowl with grilled salmon (also available in vegan and vegetarian variations) on a base of grilled and chilled vegetables and quinoa. A meal like that prompts my to curiosity to find out what dining in the main restaurant is like on a return visit to the hotel.
The Zurichers' whole-hearted embrace of elegantly prepared food rendered with local ingredients expands to casual eateries as well as farmers' markets and gourmet food shops. The Belleview location of Sternen Grill across from the prime picnic locations of the Zurich Opera
House and Lake Zurich is a draw for people from all walks of life. While its St Gallen bratwurst, topped with devilishly hot mustard and with a side of vinegar-based potato salad is the stuff of reasonably-priced legend, other standouts are a surprisingly sophisticated chickenstuffed pita sandwich as well as perfectly executed frites.
Tucked away into Paradeplatz ( just off main street Bahnhoffstrasse) Milchbar, with its leafy patio and tempting mix of fresh baked goods and global menu selections, is an idyllic breakfast or mid-afternoon spot proffering freshly squeezed juices, house-made kombucha as well as aromatic siphon-brewed coffee and espresso drinks with roasted brews from Araku in India, Panama, Costa Rica and others. The deli on the second level is worth a visit for its charcuterie, cheeses and condiments galore.
Markthalle at Im Viadukt, located in the upcycled Zurich West neighbourhood, is a similarly aspirational shopping destination with a maze of artisanal food products and boutique imports. It also has a namesake bistro and high-end fast casual kiosks offering everything from pizza to sushi. The Friday market at Wochenmarkt Bürkliplatz, meanwhile, draws a more diverse crowd. This is the place to go if you want to put together a top quality ad-hoc picnic with cheeses, charcuterie and fruits and vegetables specific to this part of the world.
Even with all that's new in Zurich, one thing that stays constant is that dining out never gets old — it just gets more interesting over time.