When excellent service creates a very positive experience: Restaurant Maison Manesse (4. February 2020)
It is funny how much of a difference good service makes. I have been to the Maison Manesse about one month ago and I was really quite disappointed with the evening – a bit because of the food but also because of the service. Luckily, it really does make a difference. I went for the “four course menu (“I eat everything”)” (CHF 125.00) which started with the “smoked onion soup with lamb tongue and apple” which was a good way to start your dinner.
The “poached lobster with raw pumpkin salad, pumpkin mousse, grapefruit, and cedri lemons” was somehow better than when I had tried it last time. It might also have been due to the very professional and friendly waitress (who usually works in the office) which was not only jovial and friendly but also, overall, did a great job in keeping us happy.
The “poached egg with lovage and garlic mayonnaise” was actually one of the courses I enjoyed the most. There is almost no scenario in which a poached egg isn’t tasty. And the combination with the fried onion and the other ingredients really made for a great dish.
The “frozen air with beetroot and cardamom” was very interesting as the dish itself really feels like frozen air. When you take a bit which seems to be a lot it basically dissolves into absolutely nothing so you do feel like you’re eating air. Quite well executed – and the combination of beetroot with cardamom is actually also quite a pleasant one.
The “mountain lamb from Puschlav (loin cut) served with a lamb tortellino, cucumber salad and parsnip purree” was about the same as last time. The lamb was a bit too hard and a bit too chewy but good in taste. The tortellino was absolutely delicious and the parsnip purree really added to the dish.
The “macaroon with raspberry and hibiscus” were frozen/ cold and would melt in your mouth – and you should slowly let them dissolve in your mouth as else you stand a chance of brain freeze.
The “Coupe Maison (vanilla cream with pistachio pine nut crumble, pine cone ice cream and blood orange granite)”was refreshing and good in combination as there is an element of acidity, of bitterness, as well as different textures with the crumbles.
Of course, the dinner would end again with “marshmallow over the fire” which were absolutely delicious and very enjoyable as they taste so very different from regular marshmallows.
The price for the menu is okay for what you get and frankly, given the place is nice, and it highly depends on the quality of the service, which was excellent today, the Maison Manesse has risen in my perception quite a lot. Still, in my personal opinion it isn’t where it used to be a couple of years back. A real pity!
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Maison Manesse
Hopfenstrasse 2
8045 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 44 462 01 01
E-Mail: info@maisonmanesse.ch
Homepage: http://www.maisonmanesse.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. 
