Equinox, Turbinenstrasse, Zurich

Somewhat difficult to reach is the Hotel Restaurant Equinox near Hardbrücke. Also the Hotel is called Renaissance, which is the same name as another hotel just outside Zurich Oerlikon. I walk into the half-empty dining area and wait at the host stand to get a table. In a true military fasion, fullfilling every cliché of former east-bloc states, a very thickly-accented waiter tells me in a very certain tone that I have to wait. No smile, no charm, just a clear and direct order. My back muscles stiffen, my chest expands as I assume a parade position just as I learned in the army… I’m just asking myself where did that guy get his education ? Probaly the mess hall of a police barack somewhere further east. After a minute or so he returns and escorts me to a table.
My first dish was a suckling pig with apple and a shot of beer. I liked the idea better than the actual plate, there was too much going on and even though it had nice touches, it didn’t come together. A good example is the bread that was served, even though it was still slightly warm it was of the prefabricated variety. I liked the main course which was a bone marrow & ribeye, sauce bernaise, brussel sprouts and fries. Not spectacular but solid. The Ribeye was 59 CHF which is rather expensive on it’s own, but kind of what you have to dish out in Zurich. I’m certainly not the vegetarian type, but even for me that’s quite a bit of cash to spend, and you can get better, more imaginative food elsewhere for that kind of money. What was slightly annoying is that the bar/loung is right next to the open dining room, and the house/techno/… sound is rather offputting while dining. The waiter and I haven’t become close and intimate friends over the course of our dinner, even at a rather soulless hotel restaurant, some friendlieness would be in order and appreciated by diners. Unless you’re staying in the hotel, there’s no reason to dine here.