My favourites places for a drink in Geneva – PART I

Geneva is absolutely teeming with exciting pubs and bars to discover. There is something for every taste and every wallet, as we say here. I am by no means an expert on the Geneva night scene but I do have some favourites. So, I compiled a selection of my favourite establishments in Geneva, the ones I have visited lately. This is a varied list, a mixture of neighbourhood bar, trendy cocktail bar, popular pub and iconic microbrewery. In short, the places where I occasionally like to hang out, whether to chill out with friends or just to sit in a chair on the pavement (or inside by the window) and watch the world go by...

The Geneva cocktail scene has been absolutely booming in recent years. What better way to chill out with friends than at one of Geneva’s best mixologists? Le Verre à Monique and L'Apothicaire are, without contest, the places to be for all lovers of mixed drinks.

Le Verre à Monique

Rue des Savoises 19, 1205 Genève

I’m a big fan of this place with its retro decor furniture, fun glassware, cocktails and excellent music. It has a wonderful British feel and is very trendy and popular amongst expats and tourists. This bar is hidden away in a narrow, discreet street. Don’t worry if you can’t find the entrance first time around – keep looking, I promise you it’s there! Tends to be crowded on Saturdays...

Love their Hemingway Daiquiri

L’Apothicaire Cocktail-Club

Boulevard Georges-Favon 16, 1204 Genève

A nice and small place right in the heart of the bustling streets of central Geneva. Just an excellent selection of cocktails and tasty bite-sized tapas. The best cocktails in town made by a passionate and skilled barman.

One of the things that fascinates me is to see the bartender at work. At the L’Apothicaire I was served a real show – it’s a shame you cannot see the magician’s hands whirling around! By the way, thank you O. for letting me photograph you. You are a star!!

Sweetheart ordered a “Dark and Stormy” (very similar to a Tormenta Negra - see my previous posts). We were impressed by the fact that O. was able to conjure up this cocktail, that was not on the menu, without even having to consult a recipe book.  Needless to say, it was perfect.

Me myself and I… hahaha… had a woooonderfullll Basilicus Fraisus Martinus (vodka, basil, strawberry, cranberry)

Stay tuned for PART II my darlings!!

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939)

Have you heard of Indian Island?

The island, according to some rumours, was bought by a Hollywood star. Some newspapers had insinuated that the British Admiralty had used it to engage in top secret experiments. There was also talk of a wealthy Yankee...Anyway, when they received an anonymous invitation to a holiday on the island, all ten guests, from the judge through the playboy to the secretary, hastened to attend. But on the island, the mysterious host was absent. On the first night, a record was placed on the gramophone, accusing each of them of a crime. Panic seized the guests…

Author: Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, Devon, South West England on September 15, 1890. She is one of the most famous detective writers of all time and is known as the “Queen of Crime”. She wrote her first novel in 1920. Her most famous characters are Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. In total, she wrote 77 detective novels and a number of plays and short stories.

Agatha Christie grew up surrounded by a succession of strong and independent women from an early age. She was married twice and had a daughter. She died in 1976.

My thoughts: “And Then There Were None” is my favourite of all of the Agatha Christie books I have read. Once again, the Queen of Crime signs a brilliant puzzle that leaves the reader breathless and disoriented until final outcome.

I’ve been a big fan of Agatha Christie since I was a teenager. I read her books one after another. In terms of crime novels, there is no denying that there is Agatha and then there are the others! I love the atmosphere, the captivating plot, the quintessential British touch and the inescapable tea time. I love the overall ambience of those afternoon teas; the warm and comfortable event where guests feel welcomed and inclined to confidences and chatter…

Pumpkin Pie for Halloween

My  goodness. It’s Halloween next Monday. How did we arrive at the end of October already? This month was so-so for me... So let’s keep moving forward. I want November to count. To end in style, how about a recipe for a crazy Halloween party?

I made this recipe for the first time 10 days ago for a dinner at home. We loved it a lot, so I thought I would suggest that you try this recipe. This pie is made of a delicious pumpkin cream filling, ranging in colour from orange to brown, baked on a crusty pastry base and rich in flavours.

“The pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert, often consumed in autumn and early winter, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US and Canada. The pumpkin is a symbol of the harvest and is also used in Halloween festivities.” Quotation from the cookbook.

Ingredients:

1 shortcrust pastry

1 kg of peeled pumpkin (560g flesh, I chose butternut)

3 eggs

40 cl sweetened condensed milk

110 g brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon ground ginger (I used fresh ginger)

3 pinches of nutmeg

Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:

1. First, cook the pumpkin flesh in boiling water, rinse it and then mash until it becomes a purée. Leave it to cool.

2. Whisk the pumpkin purée, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Pour into the pastry crust.

3. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 165°C and continue baking for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted an inch into the pie comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Any leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

Serves 6-8 people

Note: The tart mould I used has a 28 cm diameter and is 3 cm deep. Shortcrust pastry – you will need enough for one 28 cm pie mould.

For now, I wish you a very Happy Halloween & Pumpkin Day and a tip-top weekend.

P.S. For another option, see last year’s recipe, Pumpkin Fritters.

Autumn Postcards…Boho Carouge

Geneva is such a lovely town with plenty of hidden gems - we have only just scratched the surface... One of the most picturesque areas is Carouge. It has plenty of charm and is full of peaceful narrow streets and alleys which open out into small squares and terraces or private gardens...

I took these pictures yesterday…After a day of intense rain, the sky reappeared clear and I was mesmerised by these vibrant autumn colours.

The Hans-Wilsdorf Bridge over the river Arve, inaugurated in 2012, connects the city of Geneva and the Carouge – Praille – Acacias – Vernets neighbourhoods. The bridge has a strong and elegant form. It has a tube-like structure which is composed of steel ellipses as well as linear elements. (85 m long, 16 m wide).

On  my way to Carouge, I walked by the banks of the Arve, a river that flows from the Alps in France and into the Rhône in Geneva.

Is  this a snail or a slug?

Great view from the Pont de Carouge (Carouge bridge)

Autumn Postcards...Parc des Bastions

If  you ever visit Geneva you will not escape the Promenade des Bastions, located in the city centre. This park is the most popular and the most visited in Geneva.

It  is here that several events organised by the City of Geneva take place: the Music Festival (la Fête de la Musique), the end of year Schools Party (la Fête des Ecoles) and the Escalade Race (la Course de l'Escalade).

The Promenade des Bastions was created in 1817 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. It was the first botanical garden in Geneva. Even today, several trees on this site are unique in Geneva.

Le’s start our walk, shall we?

At  the entrance to the park, next to Place Neuve, is the meeting point for chess players: six giant chess boards are available to them.

Further along, there is a playground for children. Next to this, there is a restaurant where, on summer days, the large terrace becomes quickly crowded.

Bronze statue called “David remerciant Dieu d’avoir frappé Goliath” (“David thanks God for having hit Goliath”)

In the middle of the promenade lies one of the most famous monuments in Geneva: the Reformation Wall.

Opposite this monument stands a building erected in 1873 which houses the Faculty of Arts (Faculté de Lettres) of the University of Geneva and the Geneva Library.

Such a beautiful fountain...

At  the far end of the park is a beautiful building, the Palais Eynard. This was built in 1817 by a Florentine architect for a Swiss banker. This is now where the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva holds its sessions.