I don’t think we have yet announced on this blog that Zurich is to be our next home. In fact, Callum has already been there for about 4 months and I will be joining him in a month’s time. So the name of this blog will have less connection to the content, but it’s too good to give up and start collecting followers all over again.
I have visited a couple of times so far but am yet to share the curiosities and experiences, so here is the first of many posts about the capital of Switzerland!
In true ithinktherefore… style, I am going to begin with a post about food and drink – two of our biggest loves.
One of the entertaining things about travel is discovering different flavours of familiar products other countries have. As you can see in the picture below, Switzerland is home to elderflower Fanta and Orangina-flavoured Haribo.
I am a big elderflower fan, so I thought it tastes great (Callum not so much) but we both love the Haribo – they definitely need to expand distribution of those sweets to, say, the UK and the Netherlands. Like, now – before I leave.
I was very surprised at how high the concentration of British-style pubs is in Zurich, and how many other additional places you can buy British ale/beer. Well played Zurich, well played. I can already predict that this will mean I become an addict of London Pride. Incidentally, has anyone ever thought of creating a name for people who are dependent on alcohol? Just an idea…
Beer, glorious beeeeeerrrr
Not everything Zürich has to offer is familiar though; one pub is offering up a beloved Disney film character as a meal. The barbarians.
Simba… nooooo! Or, is this what happened to your dad after you couldn’t wake… him.. up? *SOBS*
One of our (already) favourite places to eat is Fork & Bottle. Well worth the bus journey, this place offers a big beer garden with a view to green fields and hills and friendly staff. Also, English is the default language here, which as two non-Swiss German-speaking people, is a definite plus.
Beer Brunch at Fork & Bottle
Their beer menu is hand-picked by the owner and Callum describes it as the cream of Swiss craft beer, with nowhere else coming close in terms of offeringS, but (as with other places in Zurich) it is very expensive. You can rack up high bills extremely easily – so be warned! I am a particular fan of the Kurt Pale Ale but am definitely NOT a fan of the basil-flavoured beer they also offer. (That is what you get for being made to feel guilty about sticking with what you know and love!!)
Their food is good; the buttermilk pancakes are my particular favourite, but I felt I had to share my picture of their soft-shell crab burger. It is literally a whole soft-shell crab deep-fried and stuck in a bun. Their fish and chips (which Callum has in the background of the picture below) are also better than any of the Dutch attempts we tried in Amsterdam.
More Zurich-ness to come…
ithinkthereforeiamsterdam 
Hmm. This is perhaps an odd question …..but are you Ele Clancey’s friend? I only ask because she mentioned a friend of hers who lives in Amsterdam and is moving to Zurich..
Yes! What a small internet world it is 🙂 although I can’t imagine there are many Brits currently living in Amsterdam, planning on moving to Zurich… She informs me that you are the author of the ‘Have you Chocolated?’ post, which I thought was great, by the way!
Laura
Haha yes! Is that an enormous coincedence or did you find my blog via facebook?? Thanks for the compliment…havent thought of anything to write in ages!
Ele sent the post to me; she knows I have a certain affection for that particular confectionery! I’ve been fairly lax on the blogging front too-hopefully Zurich will give me a motivational kick up the arse!