13 Jun 13
The best terraces of Lausanne: Les Grandes Roches
At Les Grandes Roches an unusual urban space has been reclaimed and under-bridge-drinking given a new cool.
Eat + Drink
17 Mar 13
A la Bossette
Don’t get us wrong, we enjoy a posh bar as much as the next girl. But let’s get real. Sometimes, the thing you want most of all is comfort food, good beer, relaxed ambiance and a crowd of fun-loving friends. For these moments, there is A la Bossette. A la Bossette Café is located on the fringe of La Cité on Lausanne’s Place du Nord. Serving for many years as a meeting place for leftists and idealists, this local haunt has a distinct personality and probably the most relaxed, unpretentious ambiance in the city. The warmth of the service is second to none and with over 40 beers from all over the world (and from right here in Lausanne) and an affordable menu that includes unique specialities such as fondue au fromage de chèvre, this Lausanne institution attracts a diverse and faithful clientèle.
20 Feb 13
Where to eat in Lausanne: Le Kiosque at St. François
Our hearts skipped a beat when we walked into Le Kiosque for the first time. What once served as a counter for buying bus tickets has been transformed into a charming little café, perfectly situated in the center of Lausanne’s busy St. François square. There’s something so enchanting about an old space finding its heart and soul and being appreciated again. This little gem of Lausanne past has even reclaimed its old clock, reinstalled after years in the history museum. Swoon! The menu is composed of a classic selection of café beverages as well as soups, sandwiches and salads (all of which are under 10 chf (!) ). Seats are available at about six tables situated along the curved banquette against the wall, so diners cozy up next to one another rather than sitting across a table. We’re looking forward to many coffee dates and light lunches together in
11 Sep 12
Where to eat in Lausanne: Mauro Traiteur
If you’ve been reading this blog at all in its short six-month existence, you already know what sweet tooth we have for Italy, Switzerland’s eccentric southern neighbor (see here, here and here for proof) AND for the hip, up-and-coming Rue Marterey district of Lausanne (home to Viva Frida, GeA Gelateria, and ZooBurger, among other fab.u.lous. Lausanne establishments like our new favorite spot for a workout, Pilates&Moi—more on that later this fall). This week’s review brings together these two loves. There are great spots for Italian dining in Lausanne that we will share progressively, but today we want to focus on the humble yet delectable foccacia bread sandwich. It’s a strange place to start, you might think. That’s only because you’ve never gotten takeout from Mauro. As a typical Italian traiteur, Mauro offers a variety of classical Italian dishes, perfectly suited for taking away and reheating at home. But what
04 Jul 12
Where to eat in Lausanne: La Folie Voltaire
Shrouded beneath an alley of chestnut trees and nestled within the verdant Mon Repos park, La Folie Voltaire epitomizes the fantasy of summertime. Something spectacular is preserved in the privacy and protection of this little outdoor café; open only when the weather is nice and serving the freshest products from the city and its immediate surroundings, La Folie Voltaire seems to exist only as an ideal. Even the whimsy of childhood is accentuated; the outdoor playground, old-fashioned gelato stand and proximity of Mon Repos’ famous exotic birds, make this an oasis for young families looking for the harmony and wholesome esprit of a former time. However, don’t be put off if you do not have children. The open air and overall peaceful ambiance leave enough space for everyone. You will find us here on many a Saturday morning, enjoying brunch, reading the paper and soaking up the summer. The season
30 Apr 12
Dr. Gabs, Lausanne’s local brewmaster
When Gabriel Hasler’s older sister bought him a home brewing kit for his sixteenth birthday, there was no way she might possibly have known what it would lead to. Along with three of his best friends, Reto Engler, David Paraskevopoulous and Xavier Company, that home brewing kit set Gabriel (Dr. Gabs) on a new course. Now, eleven years later, the beer brewing quartet is still going strong and gracing Lausanne with some of the most flavorful and refreshing beverages in town. We recently spent some time with Dr. Gabs at their brewing center in Epalinges to learn more about the method and philosophy behind their product. Determined to make the best beer that they possibly can, the company remains committed to, as Reto described to us, “making sure that their hands touch each bottle.” Of course, this sounds like a nice mantra for a small artisanal company, but in
