East Eats West

Stefan Wiesner, Hexer

Stefan Wiesner took over his family’s restaurant in a remote Swiss hamlet almost thirty years ago. Ten years after the take-over he started to experiment with his own cooking style, using stones, trees, leaves and other natural ingredients he found in the surroundings. Today his is an acclaimed “natural” cook with 1 Michelin star and 17 Gault Millau points. I recently had the pleasure to enjoy one of his sumptuous and truly astonishing 5 courses meal around the theme of the Swiss “Alphorn”, a traditional wooden instrument. However, what makes him truly outstanding is that his restaurant is split in two: the front part serves simple modestly priced local fair for the villagers who are mostly farmers. At the back of his restaurant he serves his award-winning courses to a distinguished clientele from all over Switzerland and Europe. He mentioned that this split keeps him grounded. I also believe so as he is a gentle, charming and approachable person.

http://www.stefanwiesner.ch/

The sweetest mangos are from Pakistan (and India)

 

Among the sweetest fruits on this planet are mangos from India and Pakistan. They come under different labels like honey mango or Alfonso mangos. In India and Pakistan mangos are a matter of pride. Luckily I found some Tamil run shops in Zurich that import mangos from India and Pakistan. They are absolutely delicious and you better not miss the short season from beginning of May until the end of August. Yummy! 

Malaysian delicacies in Zurich

Picture: The best Laksa can be had in Penang, Malaysia. The second best at the Restaurant Teoh in Zurich. 

Malaysia is famous for its combined Indian, Indonesian, Portuguese and Chinese cuisines which are mouth-watering delicacies. In contrast to the more popular Thai cuisine Malaysian cuisine is more complex and structured. It skillfully blends spices and herbs. The spiciness ranges from mild to hot. Yes, I have fond memories of eating in beloved Malaysia. Unfortunately Malaysian food is not very popular in Switzerland. However, I was recently introduced to a restaurant in Zurich run by a Malaysian family with the son at the helm. During the day he cooks for thousands of Credit Suisse staff. However, every Friday evening he cooks mouth-watering Malaysian delicacies from Assam Laksa to Roti Canai and Rendang Curry. Any Malaysian eating experience wouldn’t be complete without a warm welcome and a maternal chef de service, bringing extra food from the kitchen for free and yes, never mind the interior design! Just enter the restaurant and tell them to bring what is fresh and ‘Malaysian’. You will be amazed by the variety of Malaysian food available there!

Address: Teoh Asian Restaurant, Bäckerstrasse 37, 8004 Zürich