Year: 2017 (Page 1 of 8)

Izumi: “Absolutely adored the food”

20th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

I have to say, this is definitely the best meal I’ve had in Geneva so far. Looking for a nice restaurant to spend the evening, we were very lucky to find a table for two, since we failed to make reservations. The restaurant can only accommodate 25 people, so reservations are normally needed.

The food really was outstanding. Sort of a Japanese fusion style. We opted for the menu and were not disappointed. The yellowtail sashimi with chilipepper and seabass sashimi were just incredible. Also loved the lobster and baby spinach. And a restaurant that serves ice mochi as dessert, can do no wrong (just a small tip for the staff: the mochi were served too cold).

Be warned though, drinks are very expensive. We were kind of shocked when we saw the prices of the champagne we choose as aperitif on the bill. Skip the aperitif and go straight for the sake, which is very good. Still pricy, but not as expensive as the champagne.

Really loved the atmosphere in the restaurant, very cosy. Service was also excellent! Staff was very helpful in explaining the courses and very attentive. Never in my life have I been asked so many times if I enjoyed my mail. (I did, very much, so thank you.)

Next time we visit Geneva, we’ll certainly be back! With reservations!

Information
Restaurant Izumi
Rooftop of Four Seasons hotel
Quai des Bergues 33
1201 Geneva
Switzerland
+41 22 908 7522
izumi.gen@fourseasons.com
https://www.fourseasons.com/geneva/dining/restaurants/izumi/
https://twitter.com/FSGeneva
FourSeasonsHotelGeneva

Visited November 2014. You can find my review about Izumi also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, atmosphere 5/5, service 5/5, food 5/5.

The Helix Bridge: “Impressive architecture”

19th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

The architecture of this bridge is quite stunning. The bridge itself offers great views of the Marina Bay area. At night it is beautifully lit. A top photo spot!

Information
The Helix Bridge
Between Marina Bay (Marina South) and Marina Centre
Singapore 038981
Singapore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helix_Bridge
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1045_2011-06-30.html

Visited March 2015. You can find my review about The Helix Bridge also on TripAdvisor.

Casemates du Bock: “A must see when in Luxembourg”

18th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

Such an interesting historic place right in the middle of Luxemburg. I was really impressed by the extent of the Casemates. If you’re interested in the history of this beautiful city, you really must visit this site. It only costs 4 euro per person and you get a feeling of how it must have been when people where using this place to defend the city. Be warned though, lots of narrow staircases and some places are really dark. Not for you if you are claustrophobic.

Information
Casemates du Bock
Montée de Clausen 10
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg
https://www.luxembourg-city.com/en/place/fortifications/bock-casemates
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bock_(Luxembourg)
http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/castle/bock-casemates-luxembourg

Visited April 2015. You can find my review about Casemates du Bock also on TripAdvisor.

Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lounge: “Nice pub”

17th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

We arrived at about nine in this pub in Field and it seems to me that was a little bit too late. We were lucky to get a table, because it was very busy when we arrived, but most of the people had already eaten. The restaurant doesn’t have any airconditioning, so it was rather warm inside.

I started my meal with some excellent sparkling wine. Really lovely. We had a beautiful day in Kootenay National Park so I was in an excellent mood.

So I didn’t mind too much that we had to wait very long for our order to arrive. I really think we arrived just before the kitchen was planning on closing.

When my dish arrived, I was disappointed. The grilled baby farm fresh mini peppers which were advertised on the menu were nowhere to be found and my broccoli stem was very small (I ordered the gnocci based on the plate I saw arriving at our neighbours’ table, my plate didn’t look half as good). The food was nice enough though and my boyfriend was so kind as to share his peppers with me.

I have to say, that after all the great reviews I’d read, I left the restaurant a little bit disappointed.

Information
Truffle Pigs Bistro and Lodge
100 Center Street
Field
Yoho National Park
British Columbia V0A 1G0
Canada
http://www.trufflepigs.com/
https://twitter.com/TheTrufflePigs
https://www.facebook.com/TrufflePigs/

Visited August 2015. You can find my review about Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lounge also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 3/5, service 3/5, food 4/5.

Rhine Tower (Rheinturm): “Lovely views!”

16th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

I always love seeing a city from above. The Rheinturm offers impressive views of Düsseldorf and its surroundings. Really worth the trip up and down the very fast elevator. You can have a drink at the bar or dine in the revolving restaurant if you like.

Information
Theinturm (Rhine Tower) Düsseldorf
Stromstrasse 20
40221 Düsseldorf
North Rhine-Westphalia
Germany
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinturm
http://www.guennewig.de/en/rheinturm-duesseldorf
https://www.facebook.com/Düsseldorf-Rheinturm-414458578635359/

Visited December 2015. You can find my review about Rhine Tower (Rheinturm) also on TripAdvisor.

Musee de la Corse: “Very interesting museum”

15th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

If you want to learn more about the history of Corsica, this is the place to be. The museum a beautiful mixture of an historic building with modern elements added. The architecture is really outstanding in itself.

The collection is not big, but nicely presented (although sometimes better lighting would have come in handy).

A suggestion: try to insulate the music capsules better, the way they are set up now, you can here the music of the other capsules seeping in.

Information
Corsica Museum
La Citadelle
20250 Corte
Corsica
France
http://www.musee-corse.com/
https://twitter.com/MuseedelaCorse
https://www.facebook.com/Musée-de-la-Corse-138490689673468

Visited July 2016. You can find my review about Musee de la Corse also on TripAdvisor.

Hime Japanese Restaurant: “Good sushi”

14th December 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

Hime Sushi is a no nonsense sushi place. Sushi is freshly made by the sushi chefs while you are waiting. The restaurant is quite small, so it is possible that you have to wait for a table. The restaurant isn’t fancy, but the sushi is very good, with some modern twists on the classics.

I tried the house vegetable roll with on the inside of the roll asparagus, cucumber, lettuce, carrot, mushroom and on top beet and avocado with green sauce of the house. Surprisingly good, to be honest. Very fresh en a nice combination of flavors. Really liked the green sauce. The sushi was also presented very nice. My boyfriend ordered the fire dragon roll, a little bit spicy, so not for everyone, but also very good. Prices are reasonable. Service is ok.

If you’re looking for a quick tasty sushi lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with Hime sushi.

Information
Hime Sushi Japanese Restaurant
315 E.Broadway
Vancouver V5T 1W5
British Columbia
Canada
+1 604-708-1616
http://www.himesushi.com/en/index.php

Visited July 2015. You can find my review about Hime Japanese Restaurant also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, service 3/5, food 4/5.

Brouwerij Wilderen: “Great place to taste locally brewed beer”

30th November 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

Brouwerij Wilderen is a superb place to have a drink and a nice chat with friends and family. The home brewed beer is excellent, the drink menu is very extensive, the terrace is enormous and very beautiful, with some lounging chairs and a separate playground for the children. What better way to relax than enjoying a glass while your children are having fun?

Be warned, in summer the terrace is very popular, so you’ll probably have to wait to find a place. We got lucky because we arrived around dinner time and lots of people left around that time.

Tip: Do try the tapas Wilderen. You will not be disappointed. Be warned though, chances are you won’t have any place left for the main course.

If you like the beer, you can buy some in the shop.

Information
Brouwerij (brewery) Wilderen
Wilderenlaan 8
3803 Wilderen
Belgium
https://www.brouwerijwilderen.be/index.php/en/
https://www.facebook.com/BrouwerijW/

Visited July 2016. You can find my review about Brouwerij Wilderen also on TripAdvisor.

Fenchurch: “Great views lovely food”

28th November 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

My boyfriend and I had lunch at Fenchurch located in the Sky Garden on a beautiful autumn day. The view was absolutely gorgeous and the food we got served was close to perfect. Every dish was equally beautiful and tasty. Staff was very friendly and professional, as can be expected of such a high end restaurant.

We started our meal off with some lovely (but very expensive) champagne. After that we went for the five courses lunch. The lunch cost 55 pounds, wine pairing was an additional 42 pounds. I liked the fact that the menu also mentioned which wines we got served. I do have to say, the glasses of wine were rather small. For 42 pounds I would also expect a second serving with the main course. We have been to a lot of restaurants in this price range and most of them offer at least two extra servings.

A small warning though, not all the tables have a good view on London and its surroundings. So if that’s the reason why you visit this restaurant make sure to mention this in your reservation. You can of course just go here for the great food, but I do have to say, the view is a nice bonus.

Information
Fenchurch Restaurant
20 Fenchurch Street
Skygarden
London EC3M 3BY
England, UK
+44333 772 0020
restaurants@skygarden.london
http://skygarden.london/fenchurch-restaurant
https://twitter.com/SG_Fenchurch
https://www.facebook.com/Fenchurch-Restaurant-352123305228426/

Visited October 2016. You can find my review about Fenchurch also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 3/5, service 5/5, food 5/5.

Jura Distillery: “Very friendly!”

23rd November 2017 / Carolien Coenen / 0 Comments

We visited the Jura distillery on the afternoon of Good Friday. Due to the Easter holiday there were no tours, but since we came all the way from Belgium, the lovely lady at the counter offered to give us a small tour. Because we wouldn’t get the full tour, we got a discount. We were very happy that thanks to that kind lady we had the opportunity to visit the Jura distillery.

After the tour (which I found the be more extensive than I would have hoped for) we got to taste some different Jura whisky’s. Very impressed by the customer service of this place!

Information
Jura Whisky Distillery
Craighouse
Argyll PA60 7XT
Isle of Jura
http://www.jurawhisky.com/en/
https://www.facebook.com/JuraWhisky
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jura_distillery