Bon Vivant
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
Getting a reservation at this highly touted Basel restaurant was almost as difficult as getting rid of all the junk I had stored in my keller – but that’s another story.
Each night features a single menu offering (fish, meat, etc), so if you keep getting shut out of the 20-seat space, try Wednesday “Vegetarian” night where Basel’s meat eaters seem to get scared off (Note: when I went, both vegetarian and meat dishes were offered).
The open kitchen (they offer cooking classes, too – call for info) and minimalist décor give the restaurant a sophisticated feel, which is always a nice surprise in Basel.
Another nice surprise? The (fixed) price. Lunch includes salad or soup, main course, and water and coffee for 35 CHF while dinner is a veritable bargain at 65 CHF for a starter, main course, and dessert. My meal started with an amuse bouche of vitello tonnato followed by an amazingly fresh ratatouille. I selected sautéed veal for my main course, which was perfectly cooked and tender.
Winers will enjoy it, too. The restaurant has an interesting wine list, heavy on Swiss wines, or you can opt to enjoy your meal with a chef-recommended wine pairing for each course.
Make sure to save some wine for dessert, where you can choose from a fresh-made desserts or a cheese plate (my choice) made with cheeses from venerable “cheese man to the stars” – Monsieur Antony.
Bon Vivant
Zwingerstrasse 10
4053 Basel
Phone +41 61 361 79 00
www.bon-vivant.ch