Not sure, why it’s rated so high on Google – definitely not a place you need to revisit: Restaurant The Yard (4. August 2023)
Originally, the intention was to go to a pop-up, which was about to close shortly. However, given it started raining cats and dogs, we ended up finding a place, which still had availability around 8pm on a Friday evening, which turned out to be not remotely as easy as originally anticipated. Finally, we found The Yard, which was rated quite high online, so, I was curious. As a starter, I went for the “boiled dumplings with chilli oil dressing Szechuan style with chicken and prawn” (CHF 12.00), which were actually surprisingly okay. Frankly, I would rather have had two more dumplings and fewer veggies on the side. What I liked about it was the spiciness of the sauce in which they were served.
Secondly, it was time to try the “fried xiao long bao with pork meat” (CHF 11.00), which were quite dense, but still enjoyable.
As a main course, I went for the “beef with red chilli oil” (CHF 26.00), which really promised what it said it was. I mean, there was beef and there was chilli oil. And the spiciness was also welcome in this case, since it helped deal with the coldness of being soaking wet after the rain.
The “fried rice” (CHF 5.00) was rather disappointing – especially, since it was served quite a bit after the main course had been served. I mean, sure, I get it, one is busy, and the place was relatively full, but timing the food in a way, so you can actually eat stuff, which is supposed to go together, together, would be quite nice. All in all, the service was friendly, but they were really not paying sufficient attention to the service speed and quality.
The place is rather simple in terms of interior design and not necessarily appealing. Frankly, the relatively high online rating is not an assessment I would share. If you’re starving, or it is raining cats and dogs outside, then I would say, it’s fine to visit. Else, not really on my recommendation list.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant The Yard
Bäckerstrasse 62
8004 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 44 291 92 83
Homepage: http://www.theyard.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. 
