Not a place I’d ideally seek out for dinner: Restaurant Hide & Seek @ Atlantis by Giardino (13. July 2017)
Paying the Atlantis by Giardino a visit has been on my to do list for long – actually, I intended to visit the restaurant Ecco but ended up at their other restaurant Hide & Seek. We were seated at a nice table somewhere close to the windows and after we’ve had the chance to order (which took a bit as first we weren’t ready and then the waitress took her time), bread was served quite immediately after one of our party dropped a “not so subtle” “I’m hungry – some bread could be served now” hint.
Ther wasn’t really a spread served with the bread but butter, olive oil, salt, and some Ayurveda style spices. Nice selection, good bread, nothing to complain.
Swiftly, a “smoked trout with an apple celery salad” was served which was a nice starting point for your palate to be activated for dinner.
As a starter I went for the “Thai style salad with baby lettuce, cucumber, papaya and a chili dressing served with beef filet stripes” (CHF 36.00) which was surprisingly refreshing and had a nice hint of spiciness due to the chili dressing.
The main course on the other hand was a bit disappointing. I went, which I only realized later, for beef filet again. To be more precise, for “beef filet, kohlrabi, huckleberry, and horseradish” (CHF 63.00). It looked absolutely delicious! It was nicely red but in terms of taste it was blunt. The consistency was great, smooth, tender like butter. But it just didn’t taste like anything. There were no grill notes, no nothing. And admittedly, the combination with kohlrabi, huckleberry and horseradish made it somewhat better – still, for CHF 63.00, it was quite a disappointment. But at least it went well with the “Tre Vigne” (CHF 70.00).
The “fries” (extra charge; I forgot to check how much) were fine but somehow did not live up to the expectations either.
At least the “cheese plate” did – we ordered a plate to share and while the cheese selection was fine, we weren’t explained what we were eating. Somehow something I’d expect of a restaurant which has an awarded restaurant in the same hotel they are plus in this price category. However, the chutney and the mustard (which had a citric taste) fit well with the rest.
Upon serving “friandises” we had asked the waitress if we could have more than one – and well, given we were the last guests, we were allowed to. I loved the white chocolate basil ones truly – the others were good too.
What was interesting to observe is the service – while professional at all times, they seemed a bit stressed and not very relaxed at first but throughout the evening, the waitress got more and more relaxed and it was more and more pleasant to be attended.
When you are checking the menu in the tablet, make sure you are aware that you can order from the “bar menu” as well as the “restaurant menu” which offer different things. Just keep it in mind. Although the place is lovely, you won’t have to book in advance given it is somewhat remote so there seems to be more than enough space to score a table even on a lovely summer evening.
So, from an overall perspective, I’d say it is worth paying a visit and I guess the Ecco is truly outstanding – however, the Hide & Seek is not something I’d seek for the food (and get me right, it’s good, it’s just not worth the price) but it doesn’t have to hide itself either. Try yourself, I’d say.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Hide & Seek
Döltschiweg 234
8055 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 44 456 55 44
E-Mail: hideandseek@atlantisbygiardino.ch
Homepage: http://atlantisbygiardino.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. 
