On Saturday we celebrated my daughter’s birthday and enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Hotel Les Trois Rois in the restaurant Brasserie.
Before we sit down for lunch, here is some historical background:
Les Trois Rois is one of the oldest hotels in Switzerland, it was first mentioned in 1682. It is located on the river Rhine, next to the Mittlere Rheinbrücke (one of the first bridges to be built in 1225). The existing building was built in 1844 in the style of Belle Epoque and in the course of its life underwent many changes, some of them rather dreadful. Its present owner, Thomas Straumann, a Swiss industrialist, bought the hotel in 2004 and lovingly brought it back to its old splendour. It is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
The hotel is famous for its even more famous guests: the Dalai Lama, Queen Elizabeth II, Pablo Picasso, Thomas Mann, Theodor Herzl, Tinguely, etc. Have I left you out? Send me a message and I will include you on the list.
The hotel features two restaurants and a very cosy and famous bar (in winter there is an inviting fire welcoming you, in summer you enjoy the lovely fresh air and/or a smoke on the terrace).
We have a reservation for 5 people at La Brasserie.
A nicely set table for 6 directly at the open windows looking out on the river Rhine awaits us.
View across the river with the old barracks in the background
View upwards with the Mittlere Rheinbrücke in the background
We have a glass of champagne Ruinart, the oldest champagne house, established in 1729) and lots of still and bubbly water to toast her birthday.
We choose a three course menu, their famous Tatare de boeuf Simmenthal with pommes frites (the never ending question whether it is TATARE or TARTARE shall be left open to discussion), and another classical dish, veal cordon-bleu, accompanied with pommes frites and bouquet de légumes.
The wine is served by the glass (white: Chablis, red: St. Estèphe, unfortunately no more details here for obvious reasons – if you want to know: I simply forgot; the red wine tasted fine and full bodies, I tried the Chablis after having had the red wine, it tasted slightly metallic), very commendable in the prevailing heat wave.
The three course menu (including a glass of champagne) consists of
- Involtini of Simmenthal beef with cauliflower and curry (nice sauce)
- Cod on an open ravioli with lobster-tomato sauce (again the sauce was really nice, raviolone slightly salty
- Parfait de chocolat and its marinated berries (the parfait tasted like a normal chocolate ice cream)
at CHF 79 rather a bargain as a normal main course (meat or fish) costs from CHF 52 upwards.
Open ravioli with cod
The others have a summer leaf salad for starters, what are those croutons (rather big and tasting like stale bread) doing here? We also wonder about that long strip of carrot garnishing the salad, nice dressing though.
The Cordon-bleu, a long strip of veal, nicely filled with creamy cheese, is well appreciated.
Le cordon bleu
The tatare de boeuf Simmenthal, grassfed beef from the Bernese Oberland, impeccable quality and hand cut, generous portion. My mistake to have more Sambal Oelek added to it, I apologise for having offended any taste buds due to its acidity later on.
Preparation of Tatare de boeuf at the table
Finally, we have espresso and enjoy the friandises offered with it.
Les friandises
Our waiter is rather knowledgeable and discreetly attentive.
We pay CHF 100 per person which seems adequate for such a restaurant (Gault Millaut 13 points).
Conclusion: nice lunch, we have come not only for the food but also for the regal atmosphere.
Comments 2
Omigoodness! You have me absolutely drooling, Barbara! I just joined a money group recently and have been really strict with my money, so that I can save and reach my goals, but deep inside my heart, I’m a fine diner! =P That’s what happens when you date a chef in your younger years. =)
I absolutely love tartar (I’m Canadian =P) in any shape or form and that veal looks scrumptious! Not to mention the ambiance of such an upscale location! One of my favorite fine dining restaurants in Vancouver also faces a river — there’s something about the scenery that makes the meal so much more peaceful, as if we can take the time to enjoy our food more because life’s no longer rushing around us.
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful meal with us! =)
Author
Thanks for your thoughts, Samantha, it truly was a memorable experience and above all a family gathering to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. We all love fine food and wine, a corresponding location and caring and discreet service will have us transported to paradise. You should have been there to see us enjoying ourselves, tasting and commenting each other’s food and wine. My mother (at 87!) invited us all (I am not drowning in money etiher).
I absolutely agree with you on the river setting creating a sense of peace and how a river flow seems to create a niche in time.
My pleasure receiving such a lovely reply to a shared meal!