A true value-add to the restaurant scene in Zurich: Restaurant Smith and de Luma (24. November 2017)

The newsletter of Luma is something I’m receiving already for quite a while and I had occasionally tried their meat in other restaurants but actually never made it to their own restaurant so far. And finally it was time to pay a visit to them – and let me tell you, it is something you should do too!

When we arrived, the place was more or less fully booked (we were told – as people weren’t there yet), so we got the table by the door which I didn’t like particularly. Upon telling the waitress if it wasn’t possible to get another table – which she denied at the time as specific tables had been asked for – I was a bit disappointed, but hey, what can you do. Therefore, I was all the more positively surprised when a couple of minutes later she walked up to me telling me that a booking was just cancelled and that we could move to a better table. A lovely move and even the wine, glass of “Pinot Grigio” (CHF 11.00) was moved for us.

As a starter I went for the “St. Martins Goose and Foie Gras Sausage, Bread Sauce” (CHF 28.00) which was somehow interesting as I have never had foie gras in the form of ‘sausage’. Interestingly enough, the foie gras taste didn’t show that much but it was still pleasantly there in a subtle way. So, while the typical intensity of foie gras was missing, it still had an underlying smooth element of foie gras.

As a main I went for the “Australian Black Angus Tenderloin (200gr)” (CHF 58.00) which was incredibly aromatic and tender like butter. In terms of decoration I was not exactly sure why the leek was there but then again it added some colour to the plate. What I liked as the preparation – it was prepared medium-rare as I had ordered it and had a nice grill flavour.

The “mixed carrots” (CHF 9.00) which we had as a side to share were nice as they were not overcooked but still had this ‘al dente’ element (okay, this term doesn’t work for vegetables but it still describes kind of best how they were).

What I absolutely loved was the “risotto with mushrooms and kale” (CHF 32.00) – it is foreseen as a main course but given we were four people, we decided to have it as a side dish to share. And it was absolutely mouth-watering! Loved, loved, loved it!

The “Hand Cut Duck Fat French Fries” (CHF 9.00) were good as they were nicely crispy on the outside – however, they tasted somehow ‘blunt’.

Although I was already kind of feeling full, I had to try the “homemade ice cream (red wine, pear and thyme)” (CHF 10.00) as I definitely had never tried these two flavours – “red wine” and “pear and thyme”. Frankly, I’d go for “red wine flavour” anytime again! The ice cream was absolutely delicious! Yes, “red wine flavour”!

What is quite lovely if you have to pay a visit to the loo … you have to walk in their wine shop to get there and you get to have a look at all the different wines which are there. Somehow really nice.

And obviously, they hang their meat themselves and you get to have a look at it right when you enter – lovely view. Not to forget the fox which is on top of the meat drier with these very fancy sunglasses!

Besides the quality of the food, I liked the atmosphere a lot as it is quite open and spacious allowing you to have your privacy at the table while being seated in the middle of the action. Secondly, the waitress who attended us was super friendly and really went the extra mile. The sommelier was also competent as he suggested good wines with a fair price tag – the “El Puntido Gran” (CHF 135.00) was almost as requested (just the length was missing) which was then corrected with the second bottle which was a “Rocche dell’Annunziata” (CHF 125.00). And even the dessert wine which we were recommended, a “Wagner Stempel” (CHF 7.50) fit well.

Overall, I can definitely recommend the Smith and de Luma as the place is nice, the food is good, prices are fair as well as the service. Just make sure to book in advance as else you won’t stand a chance to get a table on a weekend.

Rating:

Atmosphere:
Service:
Dishes:
Price-Performance Ratio:
Overall Rating:

Contact Details:

Restaurant Smith and de Luma

Grubenstrasse 27

8045 Zürich (CH)

Tel.: +41 77 411 31 22

E-Mail: info@smithanddeluma.ch

Homepage: http://www.smithanddeluma.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.