Dim Sums in a fancy atmosphere: Restaurant parq (15. March 2016)

Where East meets West – I had passed by the parq last week and it immediately looked appealing to me. High ceilings, modern interior, a lot of wine bottles on the walls. So I got a business card and then decided to finally come by. Well, managed only a couple of days later and was surprised that they are famous for Dim Sum (the restaurant doesn’t look too Asian).

I went for one of their four signature “dim sum”, the “Pak Chung La Kai Mai (chicken with truffle)” (CHF 9.80) and while CHF 3.25 is already quite a price for one dumpling, even if it comes with truffles, I must say that I was a bit disappointed by it. I mean, the dim sum were good but not mind-blowing in any sense (and they were among the “signature dish” ones).

The “beef fillet with gorgonzola sauce” (CHF 34.00) …

and “… green salad, cherry tomatoes and potatoes” was good in quality but also not exactly outstanding. The greens were also there. Not sure why, especially as the assortment was quite random plus the potatoes were too dry but I guess you need a side when having meat.

Frankly, the dishes were – despite fine – a bit of a disappointment compared to my expectations. It looked so nice from the outside and also from the inside but the dishes are not at the same level as the interior designer was. And the same is true for the service. When we had arrived, the place was rather full so it took them quite a while to bring us the menu and while the waiter had mentioned that it took 40 minutes until sushi was prepared, he decided to just not give us the sushi menu straight away. Well, way to save time!

Once the restaurant got a bit emptier, the service improved as the waiter was more there and more attentive. The prices for the dishes are at the upper level though, especially for the “expectation which is created” from the atmosphere with the exception of sparkling water (CHF 5.50) and double espresso (CHF 4.00). At least the wine selection is decent and we had a nice Rioja Riserva (CHF 35.00) as well as a Barolo (CHF 67.00). While we had asked for a wine which is flavourful, full-bodied and with a certain length he did not quite manage to deliver that by his recommendations.

If you are looking for a place with a fancy atmosphere, the parq is definitely the place to go. If you are looking for dim sum, it is probably too. However, in any other case I’d say it is not really as the dishes are not that great (absolutely fine, but not great) and the service is way to slow.

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Contact Details:

Restaurant parq

Via Pasquale Lucchini 1

6900 Lugano (CH)

Tel.: +41 91 922 84 22

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.