More than Zurich, Geneva is known for fine food and wine. finews.com asked bankers in the city on the Rhone for their tip list of reliable lunch spots.
Geneva's «banquier privés» are a secretive bunch – but their reserve thaws when it comes to food. finews.com asked a few private banking habitués where Pictet, Union Bancaire Privé, and Reyl take their monied clients – a selection of the most-frequently named lunch spots in Geneva's inner city:
1. Le Lyrique, Boulevard du Théâtre 12
Where better to sup than in a fine dining establishment which belongs to a banker?Nicolas Gonet, head of the eponymous Genevan bank, took over Le Lyrique three years ago. The «banquier privé» fulfilled a long-standing dream with the hot spot for Geneva's gourmands and intellectuals which dates back to 1881. Gonet kept the menu at the «mythical» brasserie, as he terms Le Lyrique, largely unchanged despite an extensive renovation.
The «business lunch,» which includes patisserie for dessert, costs 38 Swiss francs ($38).
2. Le Café des Banques, Rue de Hesse 6
Reopened by chef Philippe Audonnet last year, the name is everything – Le Cafe des Banques sits smack in the middle of Geneva's banking quarter. An elegant, discreet ambiance suits the scene, while signature dishes are affordable even outside of bonus season: a daily lunch menu, for example, onglet de veau sauce marchand de vin, with creamy polenta, costs 24 francs. Audonnet also offers a selection of Swiss, French, and Italian wines.
3. Duchessa, Rue Jean-François-Bartholoni 10
When a restauranteur toggles between establishments on Geneva's riviera (Etoy) and ski resort Gstaad, it's safe to assume they understand high-end clientele. The concept hit downtown Geneva earlier this year, when Frenchman Max-Hervé George opened Duchessa. It calls itself a deli counter with a restaurant, but its marble floors chandeliers tell another stories. Both deli and sit-down restaurant focus on Italian cuisine.
The menu includes options at both ends of the financial spectrum: besides truffle dishes, pizza is also available.
4. Le Bologne, Rue Necker 9-11
With 14 Gault-Millau points, Le Bologne is a Genevan institution – and yet under chef Florian Le Bouhec, the restaurant near to the city's main train station maintains a bistro atmosphere. Le Bouhec's cuisine is French, with a clear Mediterranean influence. Lunch starts at 38 francs.
5. Le Bœuf Rouge, Rue Dr. Alfred-Vincent 17
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