Le Relais de l’Entrecote, Geneva

I thought this restaurant may be a bit ‘touristy’ as it is listed in all the Travel Guides, but it was recommended to me by a local (thanks Brigitte!) and I was pleased I tried it.

Le Relais de l’Entrecote is an institution and the ‘recipe’ hasn’t changed for decades. In fact the Cafe de Paris sauce is a secret family recipe. ;-) The Bistro has been at this site since 1979, but there has been a restaurant operating here since 1912 (as a bit of trivia the original Bavaria Brasserie appeared in the 1959 Ian Fleming novel Goldfinger). Sadly it is rumoured that the Zurich Insurance company which owns the building would like to close the restaurant to open more high-end boutiques. This is being fought in the courts from a historical site perspective. Hopefully the restaurant will remain in operation.

The restaurant does not take bookings and you join the queue before the 7pm opening. You have to be prepared for the ‘cosy’ seating (I sat on the lap of a pleasant British couple who had relocated from London to Geneva for work).

You are asked how you like your beef and they write this on the table cloth. Don’t be surprised at the size of the first serving, as you will get a second plate of meat and more fries when you finish the first. And you will be quite full by the end!