Hungry Swiss Bankers Fuel Upscale Takeout Boom

Written by finews.com editors

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9. James Joyce, Zurich: Dirty Burgers

The Irish author’s favorite Dublin haunt, Jury’s Antique Bar is a favorite with UBS bankers (former Union Bank of Switzerland Chairman Robert Holzach had the pub’s Victorian interior dismantled in the 1970s and lovingly rebuilt in Zurich). The Joyce’s offering is upscale burgers including a deluxe 225-gram beet patty, beef tartar, or healthier options like caesar salad with shrimp. Via Uber Eats.

10. Marco Pfleiderer, Zurich: Catering Whiz

The Zurich-based caterer’s popularity has surged in the pandemic: minimum order of 99 francs. This is easy with a «téte-à-téte» special for two priced at 229 francs: lobster bisque, octopus, beetroot hummus, pita bread, gravlax, lobster spaghetti, and Tarte Tatin. A work-from-home special (149 francs) promises enough sustenance for three days. Delivery to Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, Aargau, Schwyz. Pfleiderer's website offers helpful as well as entertaining videos for at-home preparation.

11. Widder, Zurich: Star Chef On Loan

Formerly UBS' and now owned by Swiss Life and operated by the wealthy Buehrle family's holding, this is the original banker’s haunt. Widder is borrowing nearby Storchen’s head chef, Stefan Jaeckel, for a guest stint until January 23 every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a «dine and sleep» offer to start at 550 francs for three courses, excluding drinks. Jaeckel’s creations include duck liver ice cream with cucumber relish, shiso, and avocado, as well as macaroni and cheese – with Périgord truffles and eggs from his own farm.

12. Madame Sum, Herrliberg: Dumpling Atelier

The beloved Zurich dumpling maker offers a luxury package including a bottle of «biodynamic» Fleury champagne and six packets of its dim sum including perennial favorites pulled duck and loup de mer. The dumplings need steaming at home (baskets are available for 19 francs for two).

13. Odeon, Zurich: Great Wine List

The cosmopolitan haunt, which fed Vladimir Lenin when the Bolshevik leader spent a year in Swiss exile, stands out on Smood with Marennes-Oléron oysters for 36 francs (demand was hot: they are temporarily not available) alongside other Odeon classics like goat cheese salad or avocado tartar. The cafe offers much of its excellent wine list online as well. h

14. Hermanseck, Zurich: In The Bag

The Kreis 4 staple lists its dinner menus – including a 12-hour braised Osso Bucco for 33.50 francs – to take-away (or delivery through Eats). The Hermanseck excels in easy-to-follow instructions as well as for a free bottle of wine for orders of more than 150 francs.

15. Dolder, Zurich: Covering All Bases

The landmark hotel’s specialties are available every Friday and Saturday for pick-up, ranging from an amuse-bouche menu (89 francs per person) to head chef Heiko Niederer’s favorite (Viennese-style breaded chicken, served with potato salad), flavors of Beirut mezze offering, a five-piece sweet offering from pastry chef Christian Huembs, or a weekend «all-star» brunch at 89 francs per person (two-person minimum).