Gastronomy in Geneva: Café Zinette, bistro fullness

It’s nice to sit down at Café Zinette. As if time had no influence on this bistro perched on the heights of Lancy. During a lunch, carefreeness takes precedence over daily obligations. We almost relax, leaving our concerns behind us as soon as we walk through the door. Without realizing it, the restaurant also serves as an outlet and intermediary in our lives. How many roles we impose on him! Without having asked him and without reciprocating him.

Looking all around, we can contemplate the joy of the guests celebrating at Olivier Foux and Matthieu Mayor, owners of the establishment. At some tables we drink wine, at others not, but the happiness is palpable, even communicative. Against a capricious summer, the terrace is essential on this almost summer day and allows you to enjoy these precious rays of sunshine which make life even more beautiful. A rare moment, let’s seize it. We stay in the water… when reason prevails over passion! Wearing a broad smile, we find Francis Bernier, back in this gourmet den which helped to shape him (and vice versa).

human moment

My visit dates back to the beginning of September, the dishes have surely changed, please forgive me. Rest assured, the story will not be tainted. We proceed in sharing mode. It is true that the titles seduce us and we choose the raw amberjack in strips with a watermelon soup seasoned with lime which invigorates the palate. A marine sweetness combined with the freshness of a light fruit. Served on a plate found in a flea market or taken out during Sunday family lunches, the veal and anchovy carpaccio, in vitello tonnato mode, surprises with its incisive side.

We could have been tempted by the grilled octopus, black garlic vinaigrette and hummus or by the crying tiger-style pork secreto and Thai salad, but it was a beautiful piece of matured beef that won us over. With its parsley butter and Andalusian sauce, the pleasure sliders are in overdrive in front of the meat and its “giant” fries. Carnivorous moments are rare, we might as well rejoice in this feast. Mastery in cooking is the work of the tandem behind the stove: Jérémie Jobard and Alban Mestre. It is while eating a chocolate mousse that we become aware of the precious moment we have just experienced.

A culinary moment certainly but above all a human moment. Like gifts that life gives us, let us cherish these parentheses generously granted by the entire Café Zinette team.

Edouard Amoiel is a food columnist. Grandson of a restaurateur, son of a wine merchant, graduate of the Lausanne Hotel School, his approach is above all to highlight and introduce chefs, restaurateurs, producers and creators who give their all. soul to their profession (www.amoiel.ch).More info

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