Geneva really is quite fabulous in the summer time, with seemingly ceaseless sunshine and a large body of fresh water in which to cool off. (I won’t dwell on the notable annoyances of itchy insects and spotty youths, the male contingent of which seems to have adopted this summer’s inexplicable trend for wearing boxer shorts underneath their swimming shorts).
With its manicured plants and immaculately mown lawn – beyond which lies a lovely lake view – the setting couldn’t have been more perfect, until the sun went down and a chilly breeze began to waft through the window. We didn’t ask to close it though as the resulting reflection on the glass would have doubled the dazzling effect of the bare light bulbs protruding from an ill-fitting lampshade overhead.
Fortunately Monsieur Gourmand chose a suitably hearty meal to warm him from the inside, starting with casareccia pasta with chicken chunks and fresh rocket leaves. I went for a more summery starter of King Crab, the rich meat pleasantly offset by a light and fluffy cucumber gazpacho, ‘icy mint’ and tangy red berries.
Monsieur Gourmand’s steak was superb; tender and rare, served with perfectly rectangular chunky chips and a light béarnaise. By contrast, my lamb brochettes were a bit disappointing - I'm sure the menu mentioned something North African. That’s not to say it wasn’t tasty, however, and I was pleased to find the lamb perfectly pink in the middle.
Before braving the nippy night-time temperatures on the walk home, we indulged in a chocolatey concoction with whipped walnut, delicate wafer and coconut ice cream. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that this year’s bikini days are numbered.
Brasserie Parc des Eaux-Vives, Quai Gustave Ador 82, 1207 Geneva
+41 (0)22 849 7575; www.parcdeseauxvives.ch
Just as fondue is best suited to cosy alpine settings in the depths of winter, some of this region’s restaurants simply have to be sampled in the summer months. Thank goodness, then, that Monsieur Gourmand and I found the time to dine at Brasserie Parc des Eaux-Vives this week.
Fortunately Monsieur Gourmand chose a suitably hearty meal to warm him from the inside, starting with casareccia pasta with chicken chunks and fresh rocket leaves. I went for a more summery starter of King Crab, the rich meat pleasantly offset by a light and fluffy cucumber gazpacho, ‘icy mint’ and tangy red berries.
Monsieur Gourmand’s steak was superb; tender and rare, served with perfectly rectangular chunky chips and a light béarnaise. By contrast, my lamb brochettes were a bit disappointing - I'm sure the menu mentioned something North African. That’s not to say it wasn’t tasty, however, and I was pleased to find the lamb perfectly pink in the middle.
Before braving the nippy night-time temperatures on the walk home, we indulged in a chocolatey concoction with whipped walnut, delicate wafer and coconut ice cream. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that this year’s bikini days are numbered.
Brasserie Parc des Eaux-Vives, Quai Gustave Ador 82, 1207 Geneva
+41 (0)22 849 7575; www.parcdeseauxvives.ch
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