August
Frauentorstrasse 27
About
By virtually everyone's accounting, this is the most gastronomically sophisticated and sought-after restaurant in town, with a social and culinary pedigree that's nothing short of spectacular. Having flourished here since 1989, it's positioned within an artfully contemporary dining room that's outfitted with wooden panels and a decor that's otherwise almost entirely painted in different tones of white. With windows that overlook a view of the nearby cathedral, it contains only 20 seats and enough space between them for artful (conversational) indiscretions. But whereas many rituals here, especially the service, are conducted the old-fashioned way, the cuisine is the often inspired and innovative work of Chef Christian Grünewald, whose light textured emphasis on seasonal vegetables has elicited praise from local and national media. Be warned in advance that if you opt for the set-price menu here, it will contain no fewer than 15 courses, and be configured either as an all-vegetarian version or as a meat, fish, and vegetable version, depending on your wishes. Specific menu items change with the availability of ingredients, but examples are likely to include cannelloni stuffed with a braised combination of black trumpet mushrooms and apples; fresh goose liver with mandarin oranges, almonds, white carrots, and celery sauce; and a manioc-based risotto flavored with chives, black truffles, and Emmenthaler cheese.
