12 NEW RESTAURANTS TO TRY ON THE 2020 GAULT & MILLAU LIST
Twelve new restaurants in Geneva have recently been added to the Gault & Millau restaurant guide for 2020.
This means that these restaurants in their opinion count among some of the best in Switzerland. A good excuse to try them all!
We haven’t yet been to all of them, but below we tell you what we think of the ones we have tried.
WHAT IS GAULT & MILLAU?
Gault & Millau is a French restaurant guide, which was founded by two restaurant critics, Henri Gault and Christian Millau in 1965.
Gault Millau rates on a scale of 1 to 20, with 20 being the highest. Restaurants given below 10 points are rarely listed. The points are awarded based on the quality of the food, with comments about service, price or the atmosphere of the restaurant given separately. Gault & Millau does not accept payment for listing restaurants.
LE CINQUIÉME JOUR
Walter El Nagar, also known as the «Mad Chef» for his unusual creations and eccentric style, is the man behind this restaurant, which operates around a chef’s table with only 12 places. You watch the chef prepare your meal.
The Cinquième Jour (or Fifth Day in English) is a gastronomic experience combining innovative cuisine, healthy and sustainable food and humanitarian principles. The restaurant serves food to the public 4 days a week and on the 5th day opens its doors to the homeless.
The Guilt & Millau guide called Walter’s cooking “perfectly modern and avant-gardiste.”
We enjoyed the food theatre – and think he fully deserves the 15 points given by the guide.
Rue des Eaux-Vives 25
022 736 39 75
L’ARTICHAUT
Nestled between Carouge an Acacias, this small ‘bistrot gourmande’ offers fine dining in a very small and intimate setting.
We once tried this venue for a birthday lunch and the food was very good. The choice is limited to around 3 entrees, 3 main courses and 2 desserts.
We tried the roasted lotte (burbot) fish accompanied by a fennel with safran confit and chorizo cream.
The food options are interesting and tasty.
13 points.
Quai du Cheval-Blanc 9
022 301 90 91
MAPO RESTAURANT
A seasonal menu with varied dishes from the land and sea. The name of the restaurant was inspired by a combination of the names of the couple who opened it: Manue (barmaid and waitress) and Paul (the chef).
The atmosphere is chilled and you’re welcome to share any plates you like. We love some of the unusual food combinations such as raw tuna open tacos – with fried rice, a splash of soya honey sauce and a touch of wasabi cream. Look out for modern twists on traditional French fare.
13 points – good food, good experience, we think.
Rue de Genève 40
022 349 05 60
BISTROT LE LION d’OR
This bistrot. which is also mentioned in the Michelin guide, is an upmarket French dining experience.
Expect a traditional atmosphere with red tablecloths and exposed brick walls. The service is very good. In the summer they have a stunning outdoor terrace.
To try: Gratin of cardons – a typically local dish – a cardon is a thistle-like vegetable cultivated in the Geneva Region and neighbouring canton Vaud. It tastes of artichoke and is popular especially during colder months baked in a gratin sauce.
Also try the chef’s cassoulet and Carnaroli rice risotto with yuzu and roasted scallops from the Breton coast
This is a good call if you’re in the mood for tasty, well-prepared traditional food in a traditional environment.
13 points – well deserved in our opinion.
Rue Ancienne 53-55
022 342 18 13
LE BLEU NUIT
We have not tried this traditional local restaurant to which chef Muhamed Muratovic has apparently brought a fresh gastro-bistrot influence.
On the menu you’ll find dishes such as veal rice with coco de paimpol (a white French bean) and cima di rapa (a broccoli type green, also known as turnip tops or broccoli rabe.
The Gault & Millau guide gave the restaurant 13 points.
Rue du Vieux-Billard 4
022 328 34 44
BOMBAR
We haven’t tried this bistrot-bar by Florian Le Bouhec.
This ‘little jewel’ as the Gault & Millau guide calls them near the HUG is apparently super popular with locals – and offers sharing platters such as accra served with aioli, pistachio infused salami and other snack-type plates in a trendy atmosphere.
They’re not keen on publicity, so let’s hope they stay as popular as they are now, although not everyone on tripadvisor is as enthusiastic as Gault & MIlau.
13 points
Place des Augustins 3
022 329 91 11
OSTERIA DELLA BOTTEGA
We haven’t tried this restaurant – described as refreshing by the Gault & Millau guide. The Italian restaurant offers dining with a sheltered terrace in the old town. The menu is described as interesting, varied and full of charm and sincerity.
We like the sound of calamari stuffed with seasonal vegetables and served with baby marrows and salad. The Lasagnetta aparta – fish stew and kale sounds interesting too.
13 points
Grand-Rue 3
022 810 84 51
NAGOMI
Japanese food at its best – Nagomi offers excellent sushi in a matchbox sized restaurant in Pâquis. Watch Chef Masahiko prepare every piece of sushi and sashimi with care and passion in front of your eyes.
14 points
Rue de Zurich 47
022 732 38 28
LE TABLAR
Formerly known as Neptune, Tablar in Jonction is another ‘small plate’ snacking type bar-restaurant.
Gault & Millau raves about it, calling it the restaurant opening of the year. We tried it and yes, the venue is super cool and hyper popular with its green interiors, dim lighting, plants and long bar table, but here’s the thing: The food is average at best. We had hummus, which was good, shell fish vongole – very plain, tiny fish with a very non-descript mayonnaise and a reasonable leek tart.
We waited a long time for top-up of our wine glasses as the place was full and there were only two waiters.
A cool place to hang out, but we’re not too sure about the 13 points for this one.
Rue de la Coulouvrenière 38
022 320 15 05
LA TANIÈRE
This restaurant in Champel offers a small menu with good value and quality food, according to the guide. We haven’t tried it yet.
Watch this space.
They serve starters and main courses, but some dishes to share such as chicken casserole with Cameroon pepper juice, grilled sucrine with ginger squash mousseline and rösti for two.
They also serve fondue and mussels – and all their dishes are accompanied with homemade rösti.
Sounds like a good one to try!
13 points
Avenue de Miremont 31ter
022 347 15 15
RESTAURANT LES CURIADES
A restaurant in the countryside in Lully where Belgian chef Pascal Cloetens offers creative dishes inspired by local ingredients and influenced by his travels. We haven’t tried this either, but the menu options sound interesting, including a game menu.
13 points
Vieux-Lully 10
022 757 40 40
LES FOURNEAUX DU MANÈGE
An impressive venue – a romantic old home which now houses this pretty bistrot and restaurant, which has recently been taken over by three young professionals.
The menu favours local products and there is a strong focus on fresh fish, which by all accounts is excellently prepared. Can’t wait to try.
13 points
Route de Chancy 127
022 870 03 90