Where finance meets food

Dear friends,

Today I will continue my cycle on Geneva’s restaurant with one of my favorite: Le café des Banques. I have been going quite a lot to that place in the past years with always the same pleasure. But, it is a bit touchy for me to talk about it because you might think that I am not really objective. So I am going to be really honest with you: The Café des Banques belongs to my cousins. They opened that place a bit more than 2 years ago and it is a real success (they are my cousins, what were you expecting…). I hesitated quite a long time to write about it because some could think I am just selling my cousin’s place; some other that I just lost all credibility by advertising for family. The fact is that if it wasn’t a good restaurant, or a place I really enjoyed, I would have simply not talked about it. Sometimes it is better to say nothing. But, as I said, I really enjoy the place! The food is good, mainly inspired by Italian and French traditional cuisine but always with a twist. The staff is great, always nice and knows their usual customer by heart (it is rare enough to be mentioned). So being in my Geneva cycle, I had to talk about it.

photo: courtesy of Café des Banques

I go there with my cousins sometimes (off course!) but also a lot with my friends. Their terrace in the summer is very cozy and in the winter, the dark wooden floor/white wall interior is a good balance that renders justice to the place.

But let’s talk about the food. Last time I went there I was with my friend Bertille (you remember? She lives in Milano we went together to the “Pont de Ferr” http://bit.ly/fTOplK ). We enjoyed some salmon mousse as a “mise en bouche” followed by some Foie Gras (can’t help it, I am just addicted to it!). Then as a main course, I decided to go for the Venison (in season, they do a pretty good one, always served with nice “gratins” and mash) and B. decided to follow with the Beef tagliata. The dishes are always nicely set up on the plate, which is pleasant.

We didn’t order dessert that night I think cause we were aiming for a light diner (and I already had foie gras!),  but I highly recommend their tiramisu, which is for me the second best in Geneva after Chiara’s Mom one (Yes Vittoria, you have the best tiramisu in Geneva!), or the panna cotta that I really like. 

They also have a “café gourmand” on the menu which is basically an enhanced coffee because it is served with 3 little portion of desserts (warning: don’t order the dessert + café gourmand combo, no one can survive it!).The place is also famous for serving candies, M&M’s and fresh fruits with the coffee. The restaurant was also the first one in Geneva to charge an extra 1chf.- on each bill for charity purposes (they support the Fondation Hôpiclown, which brings clown to childrens in the hospitals).

The wine menu is as well nice since Elie, one of my cousins, is a proper wine aficionado. The place doesn’t come out cheap, but is not too expensive as well (average spending per person for a diner including wine is around 75chf.-). I recommend this place for both lunch and dinner. It is ideal to have a nice meal with your colleagues, your family or your friends.

I have to run because I have a Italian oral exam in 1h ! (Then I am off for a few days of rest since my exams will be over !)

From Milano with love,

Mr. Nico

Le Café des Banques

Rue de Hess 6

1204 Geneva

Switzerland

+41 22 311 44 98

www.cafedesbanques.com