4. May 2010: Restaurant Opus

The restaurant Opus is situated right next to the river Reuss in Lucerne and is in walking distance from the city center as well as from the main station of Lucerne. In summer, the restaurant profits from its location next to the river where you can sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine in the sun or something alike. On the other hand, it really looks cozy once you’ve entered the place. It’s actually two-folded: On one side you can find the restaurant itself which has kind of a wooden interior design and on the other side you can find the wine bar/cellar with stone walls and lots of different wines located in it.

The occasion for us to go to Opus was an event which is offered by the Remimag (the company of which the Opus is part of) in some of their restaurants on a monthly basis: The Wine Palaver (it takes place every first Tuesday in the month and is on a different wine region every time – it’s recommendable to reserve a table at least 3 months in advance).

The topic of the night was “Gambero Rosso (2 + 3 bicchieri)”, so a selection of different red and white wines from Italy which have been rated with the two highest categories. Among them were 4 wines with 3 bicchieri, and 4 wines with 2 bicchieri (Gambero Rosso judges around 18’500 wines and only about 300 are awarded with 3 bicchieri).

As an amuse bouche we were offered some bruschetta with olive oil, tomato and garlic. It tasted good but not like original Italian burschette. Together with the Bruschetta a decent aperitivo white wine (Soave Classico “Monte Fiorentine”, Ca Rugate, 2007) was offered.

As a starter a salad with fresh parmesan cheese, salami and olives was offered which tasted good and fit perfectly with the two next white wines (Terre di Tufi, Teruzzi & Puthod, 2007; Manna Schweizer, Franz Haas, 2006).

As a main dish – together with four great red wines (Barbera d’Asti “Fava”, Garetto, 2006; Muri-Gries “Abtei” Riserva, Muri-Gries, 2006; Rosso Conero DOCG Riserva, CUMARO, Umani Ronchi, 2006; Vigna Pedale, Riserva DOC, Torrevento, 2005) – a osso bucco with pork was served. Not like the last time when only a mini-Wiener Schnitzel was offered, the portion was not only good, but also big enough.

As a final desert we were offered a cheese plate with various cheeses which was absolutely tasty and fit well with the red wine offered (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC, Speri, 2005).

What was really great this evening was the service. It has already been good the last time but the performance the waiters showed this evening was particularly great. When two of our group had a special request if they could have a sweet desert instead of cheese (which should have been pre-ordered) they were immediately brought two. Furthermore, additional water, additional bread orders were executed within due time, the waiters always being friendly and helpful. Also the sommelier, Gunther, did a great job leading us through the evening.

Finally, we’ve been offered one grappa by Gunther – and as I had to go to the main entrance in order to make the reserveration for the upcoming for month left (September to December), I’ve asked if we were allowed to have a glass of Grappa from the “Berta Tres Soli Tres” (a glass in a restaurant usually costing around CHF 20.00) – and we were. With three re-fills each.

Even though they have been that generous with us, they didn’t charge a single cent more than the usual CHF 65.00 per person. The price performance ratio provided at this evening was excellent as it can’t be topped!

Having the chance to go there once for one of Gunther’s Wein Palaver, go!

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Contact Details:

Restaurant Opus

Bahnhofstrasse 16

6003 Luzern (CH)

Tel.: +41 41 226 41 41

Fax: +41 41 226 41 42

E-Mail: opus@remimag.ch

Homepage: http://www.restaurant-opus.ch

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.