Restaurant Sibni, Asylstrasse, Zurich

So you were thinking I was slacking off during summer vacation ? That was just a ruse to lure the leading Zurich gastro-journalists into thinking that they’re back in the driver seat. Seldom do I get excited when I see a new place, but when I learned that a restaurant called Sibni opened in the Kreis 7 and saw the homepage I was. Unlike other somewhat shady publications I believe in full disclosure and will let you know that I was invited to dining here, by a party unaffiliated with the restaurant. My partner in crime handled the actual transaction so as to protect my anonymity.

The menu has three pages, one each with appetizers, mains and desserts and a special or two, depending on the day. To start off our meal we were served a cold marinated fish salad, which essentially reminded me of ceviche but with a more complex dressing and less acidity. A good way to get us going. The inclined reader has noticed my disposition towards gluttony and I felt like meat today. An interesting sounding cold veal roast, served with spring onions, radishes and pumpkin seed oil caught my eye. I loved two things about the dish, the pumpkin seed oil gave it a very intersting twist and the slight rim of cold fat gave it depth.

Since I was already on a roll for meat, I followed up with an entrecote served over bread salad and a slightly chili infused sauce. I liked the meat, but was a tad more skeptical on the bread salad. I guess the combination just isn’t for me. I would like to commend the chef for showing a great hand in picking the perfect cherry tomato. We finished with a chocolate tart drizzled with some gruyere cream, and the heavy & intense chocolate hit our sweet spot. I liked the place, it fits into the obvious categories I prefer (small menu, owner-operated, distinct feel). I don’t write much on the wines I drink, but I let myself be convinced in trying an Amarone which I thought I didn’tlike and was convinced otherwise. The place warrants a revisit.