Büner Restaurant & Vinothek Chic bistro

Comment Bien que Bern soit une grande ville, il n'y a pas beaucoup d'endroits comme celui-ci. Atmosphère très sympathique et lumineuse. Cuisine simple mais avec des produits frais et très bien cuisinés. Style brasserie moderne. Les plats entre 29.- et menu 3 plats à 69.- CHF à midi et jusqu’à 100.- le soir. Spécialement intéressant la vinothèque avec un très bel assortiment. Un peu décentré, donc facile à parquer.

Comment Each of us on iTaste has our own method for attributing ratings, but I must say that I, that have rarely given an 18 and consider 19 and 20 to be one in a thousand type restaurants or experiences, have chosen to give an 18 to this restaurant (as have the other two reviewers at the time of my writing this review) because it stood out in every way: charming decor, original menu (in every way), excellent service, delicious food, and a superb value for what we got.

The restaurant is located in a residential area of Bern near the Expo centre, so not very central but well connected by public transport. There is an outdoor terrace for summer, but as it was bitterly cold and snowy today we paid little attention. Indoors, the welcome was immediate and warm. We were helped with our coats and seated right away noticing the interesting faces, a touch of Bohemia, lots of dark wood, beautiful pressed white linen, and small touches spelling CHARM in capital letters. I noticed the tables were set well apart and the owners had deliberately gone for less tables rather than more. There is a bar where I presume you can come and sip your favourite tinto or branco but we were intent on eating and our focus was elsewhere.

The menu was brilliant: one page with five different main courses ranging in price from CHF 26 to 47 (including in this price a starter with each) so very reasonable and the food did not disappoint. The salad was fresh and well proportioned with an excellent salad dressing, light but savoury. The main courses were perfectly cooked and well presented. Our waiter was cheerful and professional: there when he was need absent when he was not. He forgot nothing and saw everything.

But the cherry on the cake came with the dessert menu (where else). There among the five dishes was the phrase so many of us have always uttered at the dessert part of the dinner: "No dessert for me thank you." The only difference was this one had a price tag: CHF 22.50. In other words if you said "No dessert thank you" you were actually ordering a dessert at 22 Swiss Francs. Brilliant. At first we thought it was just a joke but it is actually an assortment of all the other desserts which is why it is also the most expensive dessert plate on the menu.

Coffees were excellent and we left thinking this could be the type of restaurant you take all other restaurant owners to to show them how it is done. Reminded us a bit of the Cafe des Bains in Geneva. Highly recommended for any occasion but keep in mind it is a brasserie style restaurant with probably everything from workmen occasionally to the very chic. We were very casual and felt right at home.

To be improved Parking was easy on this occasion but could be a challenge. We reserved and suggest you do as the place must have a good following. Only complaint was from my wife who said they need a better heater in the ladies' bathroom. Thank goodness something was not perfect!

Comment - La carte (à chaque visite toujours aussi simple, mais toujours différente)
- Le service sympathique
- La cuisine (c'est à chaque fois "le printemps dans la bouche"...)

To be improved - La résonnance de la salle. Difficile de comprendre son comparse lorsque le resto est plein...ce qui est très souvent le cas.

Comment Testé principalement à midi en semaine !
Un service jeune, agréable, pas compliqué mais très professionnel
Un cadre moderne alliant le contemporain au côté "retro" des mûrs
Une carte sobre et pleine de promesses
Un vrai bon plan pour un repas d'affaire ou juste pour le plaisir