Jetsettersblog

Kronenstübli, Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s charming and historic wood-panelled restaurant, has been awarded its first Michelin star, making the hotel a “must go to” destination for those wishing to sample some of today’s very best Swiss cuisine.

Switzerland now has 76 restaurants with one star, of which 11 are new to the Michelin guide and include Kronenstübli. In total, there are 96 Swiss starred restaurants, making it among the European countries with the most Michelin stars per capita, testament to the great food waiting to be discovered in Switzerland.

Executive Chef Bernd Schützelhofer’s speciality is a creative combination of traditional recipes from around the world and locally produced ingredients, which often give a modern twist to a classic dish.

The menu changes every season, but there are always a few signature dishes that are found in season. For example, every spring there is a lamb curry, using rack of lamb from nearby Poschiavo, served with a chutney of green tomatoes and ginger, alongside fried semolina strudel, artichokes, fennel and papaya.

Always on the dessert menu is ice-cream made right in front of diners, using cream, natural flavours and liquid nitrogen. It’s quite a spectacle as the liquid nitrogen starts smoking when added to the cream mix and the waiter must stir hard for a few minutes until the ice cream is formed: pure theatre!

Schützelhofer was born and trained as a chef in Austria, but has spent much of his professional career in Switzerland, previously working at Lucerne’s Hotel Astoria and the Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad. He has been Executive Chef at Grand Hotel Kronenhof for the last four years, since 2007.

Though the ultimate accolade, the Michelin star is not the only award won by Kronenstübli and its dedicated team. Two years ago, the restaurant’s German-born front of house Adriana Novotna was named Maitre d’Hotel of the Year by Swiss business magazine Bilanz and the restaurant won the “Best of Swiss Gastro” award in 2009.

The Kronenstübli Restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 7pm to 9:30pm (last orders). To make a reservation at the restaurant and/or Grand Hotel Kronenhof, please call +41 81 830 30 30. Visit www.kronenhof.com  for more details.