Burgers - La Réserve

The gvafoodie's quest for the perfect burger continues, with a visit to La Réserve, the Bellevue located five star Hotel. Of course, La Réserve is one of Leading Hotels of the World so it won't come as a surprise that prices are on the steep side. However, the cheeseburger was quite good, though I would have personally preferred the bun to be a little more toasted. The fries were crispy and well seasoned, though I suspect they may have been the frozen kind. Nevertheless, this was a very satisfactory meal overall, and the chocolate fondant that followed was absolutely scrumptious. Not to mention the accompanying fresh scoop of vanilla ice cream which had a distinctly artisanal taste.

Pictured below: a cheeseburger with a side of fries and a small salad followed by chocolate fondant with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I Want More!

So here's the thing, we're currently experiencing one of the world's worst crises in decades, and who knows how many more will follow after this one is over. Now more than ever, I feel we, as consumers, are entitled to value for money. Certainly MORE value for money then we're currently getting.

I increasingly feel that if you want to eat out in Geneva, you essentially have one of two choices, either go to a proper restaurant, and spend an hour or two there with other people, or you can opt for a simpler, quicker, solution, and get something from a fast food restaurant to eat it quickly or on the go.

However, if you decide to do the latter, chances are you'll end up eating something that tastes like it came out of a box, rather than something that was freshly cooked on the premises -- or even something that would give you the illusion of fresh home cooking.

On those days we need to grab a quick bite to eat because we're racing between meetings, it seems to me we've settled long enough for products that are below par, sandwiches that are bland at best, and just an eating experience that leaves something to be desired.

When I watch Steve Dolinski's Hungry Hound podcast (be sure to have a look at it -- it is absolutely brilliant) I am always impressed by how much the restaurants -- fast food or otherwise -- he reviews are constantly striving to raise the bar in terms of taste, quality, etc.

How many sandwich shops here in Geneva can claim they set themselves apart in any significant way? For instance by only using freshly baked bread, or unique ingredients, thereby making your meal a unique experience? I'm guessing very few. For the most part, it's all, slice up the industrial baguette bread, smear some butter and some mustard on it, add a slice of cheese or some cold cuts, and finally: "that'll be CHF 7,50 please, Ma'am." Nice. I could have made that at home. For a portion of the price.

Of course, now in Geneva, you can get yourself a bagel, yaaay, I hear you all say, finally some variety! Sure, if a dry or stale bagel is what you're in the market for, you're in luck, you'll definitely find that here. However, if a fresh, tasty product is what you had in mind, I'm afraid you're going to have to keep looking.

The fact is there is simply no excuse for the Genevan consumer to be charged as much as he/she is for "food" in which very little effort goes and that as a direct result tastes like absolutely nothing!

Perhaps there are a couple of exceptions, perhaps there are places that go the extra mile in order to please their customers and provide them with the best ingredients in the most palate-pleasing combinations but that I just don't know them. If you are aware of any such places, please feel free to drop me a line. I would love to promote their efforts on this blog.

Chez Nina

After trying a number of pizzas from different restaurants around Geneva, sometimes you just want to go back to your basics and enjoy some thin-crust classic from Chez Nina's!

Pictured below: a margherita pizza on the go.

Café Latitude

The temperatures seem to be getting a little warmer, but does that mean we're finally moving away from the cold, snowy conditions of the past few months and heading towards a warm, beautiful spring? Who can really say.

If it does get colder again, though, the soups on Café Latitude's menu might help keep you warm. For a quick bite at the restaurant located in the ICC building by the airport, a hot soup might be just what you're looking for.

Pictured below: Café Latitude's onion and tomato soups.

Takumi

Yet another restaurant located in Plainpalais! Takumi is a Japanese resturant which serves both sushi and tepanyaki, it is a busy establishment and it is probably preferable to make a reservation before going especially for larger parties.

Pictured below: Miso soup, rice, vegetables and chicken teriyaki.

Point du Jour

I never tire of going to Point du Jour, the food is wonderful, the staff is friendly and there is a lot to choose from.

Pictured below: a squid salad starter followed by a plate of spinach and ricotta tortelloni. At point du jour, most pasta dishes are served in pots, and you can then serve as much -- or as little -- as you want into your dish.

Trattoria dei Trulli

Trattoria dei Trulli is located quite conveniently if you're in the Plainpalais/Carouge area, their pizza is quite good, and they also have lots of pasta dishes on their menu.

Pictured below: Scampi pasta (you can have a second serving if you're so inclined).

Baguette d'Or

This is my second post about Baguette d'Or, the Plainpalais located Chinese restaurant. I had last been in September 2009 and I figured the time had come to pay them another visit.

Pictured below: a wonton soup, followed by fried rice and crispy lemon duck.

Cheesecake & Co.

Are you in the mood for cheesecake? Cheesecake & Co. located in Plainpalais offers a variety of different cheesecakes, including chocolate chip and peanut butter cheesecake, marble cheesecake, coconut and pineapple cheesecake and of course New York cheesecake. Their menu also includes bagels, cupcakes, muffins and brownies.

Many places like this one have tried their luck in Geneva in the past, so it is hard to tell how Cheesecake & Co. will fare. Their competition includes Starbucks which offers many of the same items on its menu. Maybe it will just be a question of whether your preference goes to Starbuck's raspberry cheesecake or Cheesecake & Co's almond amaretto cheesecake.

Pictured below: a slice of chocolate chip and peanut butter cheesecake.

Le Boccaccio

Le Boccaccio is located in Plainpalais, one of Geneva's busiest neighborhoods. It is a traditional pizzeria like many others in its neighborhood, it is quite spacious and boasts a large menu and different lunch specials to pick from.

Pictured below: a calzone and a four-cheese pizza.