- Product Rating -

Overall a great experience, but missing that authentic Mexican spiciness: Restaurant El Alebrije (3. July 2024)

| October 2, 2024 | 0 Comments

It’s years ago since I’ve been at the El Alebrije, which has moved location since. In the old place, you would get relatively traditional Mexican food (well, still with a Swiss twist, but close enough to real Mexican food) and the new place, since under the same management, aspires for the same. The difference is that in the old place you could pick your dishes, while in the new place there is just “Tasting Menu” (CHF 125.00) and you get whatever there is.

The evening started with a small bite (and, unfortunately, I didn’t take notes), which was a good start to get your palate going.

The second course was corn, and since I love corn, it was nice. However, in terms of extravagance, it wasn’t something too much out of the ordinary.

The next course was something you usually don’t really find in Switzerland, but it turned out to be as delicious as when you eat it in Mexico. The “huitlacoche” soup served with a small “huitlacoche” tarte was exquisite.

Next in line was a taco, which looked outstanding, but was a bit of a disappointment since it was somehow lacking these intense Mexican flavours you get when you have meat in your taco. And, frankly, I was missing this!

As a main course, they served Mexican rice with a chicken in its mole, and it was actually overall good. But, again, I was missing that Mexican kind of spice in the dishes, which I enjoy so much. A pity really, because I’m rather sure that if you would get that, it would just add to the dishes quite substantially.

Last but not least, there was a sweet, which was exquisite. Sure, I generally do not like sweets too much, but personally, this was actually a rather enjoyable sweet.

The only thing, which reminded me of that Mexican spice was the “Jalapeño Margarita” (CHF 20.00), which was a bit expensive for the size of the drink, but still tasty. And at least it had that flavour intensity you find with typical Mexican food (or at least how I have experienced it).

You can clearly see that they try hard and are really going to make this a memorable experience. And I think they are on a good way, but personally, I would have appreciated if there were more spices and intense flavours. To me, it was a bit too bland for my personal gusto. The place is still being finalised, and I hope once that has happened and all is grooved in, that the menu will evolve a bit more towards the authentic Mexican flavours. That being said, I’ll definitely pay this place a visit again.

Rating:

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

Contact Details:

Restaurant El Alebrije

Hardstrasse 9

8004 Zürich (CH)

Tel.: +41 44 370 33 44

E-Mail: info@elalebrije.ch

Homepage: http://www.elalebrije.ch

About the Author:

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.
CHF 350.00 (incl. tip) Filed in: Restaurants, Zürich (CH)
×

Post a Comment