a tavola!, Annas Finest, Secret Location, Zurich

Anna runs a pop-up restaurant and has been featured in a couple of publications. She calls the idea a tavola!. Her newest idea is to take the concept and turn it into a cookbook. Judging from her impressive collection of books in her appartment, this could turn into something really interesting.

I was among the lucky few who were able to get one of the coveted seats at the table, since it’s only limited to ten participants. Even though I tried to use my unprecedented fame to gain a spot, ultimately I needed multiple turns just like every other diner. The topic was poultry and we started with a pretty stunning & politically correct foie gras. Apparently the foie gras was from happy animals, it did not detract from the taste too much.

The next course was my favourite. A collection of fantastic looking winter salads, a poached egg and a simple, yet intriguing dressing. This was clearly something which tops what you get in many restaurants. Main course was an expertly cooked quail, with polenta and radicchio. Lovely how the bitterness of the vegetable plays of the quail and the polenta.

The meal finished with a homemade lemon tarte and led to coffee and spirits to end off the meal. Anna is a great chef and draws her inspiration from a simple, honest and high quality approach to food. A very modern take of a cucina della nonna type cuisine. She’s just as good a chef as my other pop-up favourite – Vale Fritz – but has her own style and vision. There is one big plus Anna has over Vale – she’s much better looking 🙂