[quote]Well, I'm not sure that if I was going to Toronto, I would find your food excellent....



Each countrie has is own "taste" and, well, if you want to eat something you like, well you will have to cook it yourself....sorry.







but you still can try the McDo... It's the same unhealty food in each country....



:D[/quote]



I've been all over the United States, France, Italy, Ireland, Greece, England and found great places to eat (well, the English couldn't cook either but I expected that). It's not just "not my taste". Unless I just don't care for Switzerland's taste. Besides, I am not really eating much "Swiss" food. Here I have tried: Italian, Indian, French, Swiss, Chinese, Asian Fusion, Thai. Almost all of it has been bland or awful.



Believe it or not, I almost never ate McDonalds in North America. I had some here and it was great! The best McDonalds I have ever had. I have eaten at McD's in the last 3 months here more than the last 3 years in Toronto!
JMfromTO, Jun 19, 2009 @ 00:30

try Cuccagna in Carouge, or DaPaolo in Eaux Vives. These are authentic Italian places ... if you dont like those then i cant help :)  Geneva IS expensive, but so is living, travelling, shops, etc ...  mic
mic_, Jun 19, 2009 @ 00:49

Hi,



We're from Toronto too and agree 100 % that food here sucks and is overpriced. I heard that from many other expats too. Some Swiss people when I told them I'm disappointed with their food said try fundue and raclette. I tried both and sorry guys, for me it's nothing special.



I most miss great Japanese and Korean places that TO offers.
Marz, Jun 19, 2009 @ 01:28

[quote][b]

Marz (18/06/2009)[/b]

Some Swiss people when I told them I'm disappointed with their food said try fundue and raclette. I tried both and sorry guys, for me it's nothing special.

[/quote]



Word.



The thing about fondue -- and I say this knowing very well how stupid it sounds -- but fondue is cheese. OK, that's the obvious stated. Don't get me wrong, fondue is good, I like it, but it's cheese. Cheese is amazing. Swiss cheese is fantastic; these cheese are really up there among the best in the world. But you cannot construct an entire meal out of cheese. Nobody needs that much cheese. Five bits of bread in the fondue, that's great. Ten even. But after that, no. Cheese does not make a meal. I don't care how obsessed by dairy products you are. Sorry. No.
hayes, Jun 19, 2009 @ 01:48

Hi,

While I agree with you that food in Switzerland is extremely expensive, I believe whether or not food is good is a question of taste.

I personally do not like Japanese/Korean or  Chinese food. neither am I a fan of Pizzas  or Swiss food. But I have have enjoyed  very good French food in Geneva in various plaes including Auberge de Floris, Pavillon Du Lac, and some of the restaurants in some of the hotels like Hotel De La Paix, Hotel Richmond and Hotel De Anglaterre. Unfortunately these are places where I can not go on a regular basis.

I also do not agree that English food is necessarily  bad  or that the English can not cook.
Molula_M, Jun 19, 2009 @ 02:01

Spot on, my Canadian friend.

There are two types of food in Zurich:

a) Expensive and awful;

b) Horrendously expensive and still awful.

There is one place I have found (in Dietikon, so not actually Zurich) that does an okay kebab for 8CHF.

I tried a pizza, and also some pasta from an Italian next door, but alas it was back to expensive and awful again.

Seems like I will me living on kebabs for the forseeable future ...
FlashG, Jun 19, 2009 @ 02:43

Here in Zurich, it's more or less the same.

There are some places where Pizza is acceptable - but I would not call them "great".



Is there a platform for Geneva equivalent to zuri.net ?

They have user-contributed ratings for the restaurants (but a lot of restaurants are anonymously rated by their owners...).



In Zurich, we go to this place once a week:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=michelangelo+zürich&fb=1&split=1&view=text&latlng=7274346239789038702&dtab=7



It's nothing to rave about, but at least you can have lunch for under 20 CHF with a small beverage.

It's got the charm of an old trainstation-waiting-area (not only because people in there smoke like there's no tomorrow), but the food is still good and the crew doesn't seem to have changed for years.



What is very good in Zurich is Hiltil (www.hiltl.ch) or Samses (www.samses.ch) - vegetarian restaurants.

I'm not a veggie, but I do like vegetables (and fruit). Most Restaurants tend to serve larger meat-portions with small side-dishes - because they feel this is what people want.



My personal advice would be to start cooking if you want to eat well (or at least not overpay for food that comes from M-Budget bags and prix-garantie tin-cans anyway).

It takes time, but unless you pay a real lot of money, you won't get better food in any restaurant - at least, if they don't use glutamate...



I must say that I have now heard so much good about the food in Canada from so many expats that I sometimes think it's worth going there just for the food ;-))



With regard to Swiss specialities: it's not all bad. Mostly a question of preparation. Zürch'er Gschnetzeltes is probably the best of all.

Unfortunately, places where it's done well are difficult to find (and it's an expensive search...). So, again: DIY ;-)

rainer_d, Jun 19, 2009 @ 02:58

If you're not completely frustrated yet, you could try Le Kid opposite UniMail in Plainpalais.
thomas11, Jun 19, 2009 @ 08:43

Quote:

seems that it is just you and your girl friend...



Whovian-many of the posts indicate his not the only one... And I think we're talking here mostly about the restaurant food. I agree that some store products are good.
Marz, Jun 19, 2009 @ 11:55

It was supposed to be ' he's not the only one, not his'
Marz, Jun 19, 2009 @ 11:56

Try this before going out, you might avoid some bad surprises

http://www.restorang.ch/index.cfm?&lang=en

Most of the comments are in french I think, but then language-courses will be a bonus :-)

Bon appétit!!!

Lisbeth :-)

P.S. Ouuuuf aiiii, Da Paulo??? Food might be good, but the last time I went the service was so bad, I'm not planning on returning :-(
Lisbeth68, Jun 19, 2009 @ 12:12

I find the easiest way to try restaurants is to take the Plat du Jour at lunchtimes with friends, I do this on a regular basis and even if the food is not great we haven't wasted too much money (normally 20chf or less) and always interesting to try somewhere new... And the bonus is finding somewhere you'd like to return.. Recently tried the Cottage Cafe with friends and it's a place we'd all walked past (it's behind the Brunswick Monument in the small park) but never entered and had a great lunch one Friday.. Today we have a new place to try , hopefully it will be good , but if not just one to cross off.



britabroad, Jun 19, 2009 @ 12:22

According to scientific research it maybe that you won't find food to your taste



http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090619/tuk-taste-revealed-to-be-a-local-thing-6323e80.html
britabroad, Jun 19, 2009 @ 13:28

I was offended by the statement that English food in not good and we can't cook.

I'm English & I can cook!  I love food, I enjoy cooking and I love eating out. I have English TV over here & the fact that there are so many cookery programmes on TV proves that the attitude to food in the UK has changed remarkably over the last 10 years.  I have eaten some wonderful meals, cooked by talented chefs not only in London but in other areas also.  Even our gastro pubs serve tasty food!

My neighbours are Canadian and we laugh at the outdated view they have of us.

I cannot comment on the food in Geneva, I have only eaten there twice, once in a fish restuarant, which was delicious and then in a Pizzeria, which was ok.  However, I have found some nice (and expensive) places to eat near to me (St Sulpice).  But there are a lot of rubbish places too.....
JulieAnn, Jun 19, 2009 @ 13:41

[quote][b]

JulieAnn (19/06/2009)[/b]

I was offended by the statement that English food in not good and we can't cook.



I'm English & I can cook! [/quote]



I agree! And I was also pretty offended by that out-dated generalisation. Sure, it may have been so in the past but not any more. I'm also English and I can cook too! I mean, pierce the packet a few times with a fork and whack it in the microwave for 3 minutes. What could be simpler? How stupid do they think we are?
hayes, Jun 19, 2009 @ 13:48

I mean, pierce the packet a few times with a fork and whack it in the microwave for 3 minutes. What could be simpler? How stupid do they think we are?[/quote]

Hayes, you said it so much better than me! :P
JulieAnn, Jun 19, 2009 @ 13:52

Well, Geneva is not Dubai. Comparing absolute prices between countries makes no sense. While Dubai may be an exception, in most places of the world your salary would be considerably lower for the same work, so it kind of evens out.
thomas11, Jun 19, 2009 @ 13:59

Britabroad- I read the article and I think I agree. I guess it depends a lot on what we are used to.

Last month I went for a week to England with a group of Swiss and French students. We had meals at a school where we stayed that had a great variety of dishes (British, Mexican, Indian, Chinese etc) and all the kids from Switzerland hated the food and kept asking when we will have fondue while I really enjoyed it!



The only exception- they liked Marmite! And candies of course.



Btw, I love Jamie Oliver's recipes. I often cook his dishes and they are delicious!
Marz, Jun 19, 2009 @ 14:11

Well well well, what an interesting reading for the food lover I am!

Yes Geneva IS expensive, but think about how much you earn working here vs. in Toronto? I've never been there, but I guess the salary is not the same, so expect to pay here EVERYTHING dearer than elsewhere.

A few good spots I've been to, and where my stomach felt very happy:

- Thaï: Na Village in Jonction area (gastronomic and beautiful terrasse - excellent)
- Indian: Salsabeel in Nations, Karishma in Divonne les Bains (OK you need a car), and another one in Ferney but can't remember the name
- Italian: Milan, rue Chaponnière (no pizzas, as far as I remember)
- Sushis: Misuji @ Uni Mail - never tried it yet but said to be really good 
- For meat lovers: Churrascaria near Boulevard Helvetique (all you can eat formula)

That's a good start, I think :)

Laurianne, Jun 19, 2009 @ 15:28

[quote]Britabroad- I read the article and I think I agree. I guess it depends a lot on what we are used to.

Last month I went for a week to England with a group of Swiss and French students. We had meals at a school where we stayed that had a great variety of dishes (British, Mexican, Indian, Chinese etc) and all the kids from Switzerland hated the food and kept asking when we will have fondue while I really enjoyed it!



The only exception- they liked Marmite! And candies of course.



Btw, I love Jamie Oliver's recipes. I often cook his dishes and they are delicious![/quote]



Marmite = UK Cenovis or Cenovis = CH Marmite: no exception here!
Casuistik, Jun 19, 2009 @ 15:45

[quote][b] Does Switzerland food just suck?



[/quote]





It is so sad to hear about your poor experience in Geneva. I can fully relate to your frustration. I travel extensively for my job and must attend numerous functions all around this planet. I may have my breakfast at a 7-star place, lunch on board of a shaky outdated helo and dinner sitting by the edge of a floating oil-rig. And I can honestly say that I NEVER had a bad meal. I have had fantabulous and less appealing plates, I ate things I still cannot identify and things I deleted from memory by drinking myself to oblivion after but I never had any ground for regrets... and I am a hell of a SOB when it comes to getting a value for my expenses. So maybe it's you? Courage... :P
swisskiss, Jun 19, 2009 @ 15:59

... never say never, I'll make an exception for porridge :cool: ...really could not down it and I deeply apologize to my Brit colleagues lol
swisskiss, Jun 19, 2009 @ 16:06

Here's the comment of a swiss, I'm one of the few that are not expats on this website.

It's true that there are many awful restaurants in Switzerland, that many are overpriced and the service shitty... But I can't say it's general. If you are so unhappy with the food here, why don't you go to a cooking lesson ? I've gone to cooking lessons given by some american/canadian guy in Migros classes, and maybe it might be more of your taste.

If you want a popular pizzeria where they don't go low in your pocket (hey, I've never seen a good pizzeria where you have a full meal for over 50chf), try the restaurant Marino at the "Eaux Vives". It's near to the general bus station. Never got decieved.

Real pizza is thin and easy to digest. If you want the big fat gooey american style pizza slice you see in Toronto (hey, I'm canadian too, I know what I'm speaking about) go to Pizza Hut, but it's quite expensive here too.

For raclette, it's true it's nothing special, but less synthetic than american style "Swiss" cheese. The goal of eating a raclette is having a good time in family around a easy dish to prepare, rather than making some mixture of cheese and some sophisticated meal. It's cheese mixed with potatoes, what taste do you expect ? To be as spicy as korean food (I love it lol) ?

Switzerland wasn't always a rich country, people had to use what they had (that means cheese and potatoes), it's tradition.

Now, you've got the choice of making fine food yourself and eating healthy (going to the restaurant often is unhealthy), or get used to the food here :alien:
Mangamania, Jun 19, 2009 @ 16:58

I make porridge for my son most days.. He's never lived in the UK , but has been brought up to appreciate our wonderful cuisine.. Just can't seem to get him interested in Cadbury's Chocolate , which means I have to eat the chocolate he's given by visiting relatives ;)
britabroad, Jun 19, 2009 @ 17:17

I find your claim somewhat radical. Taste and prices are just a matter of perspective. You forgot to mention the fact that, if food is cheaper in Toronto is cheaper, salaries are lower and I wonder how a standard shopping basket in Geneva would compare with one over there. I don't know about Canada, but I do know that in the US a lot of people need two jobs to make a decent living. It happens here too, but not to that extend.



If you look for Canadian food here, chances are that you'll be disappointed. If you open up to a new experience (assuming that local cuisine can be an experience :)) you may discover nice places. As for price, it's not worse than any big city I've been too. Small and cheap places exist everywhere, but you've got to know them. As for pizza, I prefer them here rather those I had in North-America. A matter of taste as I said, not of quality.
Free, Jun 19, 2009 @ 17:23

Ok, so can anyone recommend a place where I can try these?



http://fxcuisine.com/Default.asp?language=2&Display=118&resolution=high

Marz, Jun 19, 2009 @ 19:42

Interesting to see the variety of responses to my little post. In regards to the "English can't cook" thing, that was a joke.



But I did have a pretty bad culinary experience in London, but I was only there for a week so I can't really judge a city on that. Plus I couldn't afford the best places with the dollar to pound rate.



FYI I don't really eat "traditional" North American food. I like my pizza flat, with a whole wheat crust and not too greasy. I can't stand "Pizza Hut" pizza or Chicago style deep dish (tried it when I was in Chicago, couldn't stomach it!).



A friend came with us to Geneva from Toronto and she thinks the food here is fine, including a meal that we ate together that I couldn't finish and she ate happily. I guess everyone has different standards and tastes.



But while the regional taste article was interesting, I have traveled quite a bit and been quite satisfied with the food offerings elsewhere. It's defiantly not a "local taste" thing in my case as some of the best meals I have ever had were in California, all over Italy and Paris.



Thanks for all the suggestions though! I will be sure to give a few of them a try before I write-off Geneva for good. Maybe I'm just a food snob and I didn't know it...



JMfromTO, Jun 19, 2009 @ 20:11

I forgot to add - in defense of Swiss cooking - that one of the best meals I've had all year was near Gryon/Villars at a place called "Cookies".



Awesome place! Great food, wine and dessert!



It was my first meal out in Switzerland and I was thinking "wow, if this is how the Swiss eat, this is going to be a great year".



JMfromTO, Jun 19, 2009 @ 20:16

Er Hello Mr "I can't cook" Canadian....

Would you mind refraining from using tired national stereotypes.



If you couldn't find anything good to eat in England that's your fault.

You didn't try hard enough.

Are you trying to tell me that in London you couldn't find delicious cooking?

You beggar belief sir.

Try the "good food guide" next time



Some of THE most famous chefs ever have lived and worked in England, from Antoine Careme to the Roux Brothers, Raymond Blanc, Marco-Pierre White and Anton Mosiman at the Savoy Hotel. Not to mention the extraordinary varied cuisines from all over the world which have found a home in England.



If you can content yourselves with eating at Macdonalds I'm afraid your cause is lost.



In the meantime, for the sake of good manners, I will restrain myself from making any defamatory remarks about the "Great Tradition of Canadian cooking"



yours etc



[quote][quote]Well, I'm not sure that if I was going to Toronto, I would find your food excellent....



Each countrie has is own "taste" and, well, if you want to eat something you like, well you will have to cook it yourself....sorry.







but you still can try the McDo... It's the same unhealty food in each country....



:D[/quote]



I've been all over the United States, France, Italy, Ireland, Greece, England and found great places to eat (well, the English couldn't cook either but I expected that). It's not just "not my taste". Unless I just don't care for Switzerland's taste. Besides, I am not really eating much "Swiss" food. Here I have tried: Italian, Indian, French, Swiss, Chinese, Asian Fusion, Thai. Almost all of it has been bland or awful.



Believe it or not, I almost never ate McDonalds in North America. I had some here and it was great! The best McDonalds I have ever had. I have eaten at McD's in the last 3 months here more than the last 3 years in Toronto![/quote]
phillip, Jun 19, 2009 @ 20:33

[quote][b]Marz (19/06/2009)

[/b]Ok, so can anyone recommend a place where I can try these?[/quote]

Chez Cartouche

ch. Vieux Lully 20

1233 Lully (GE)

022 757 27 98



Au Coeur de la Côte

1184 Vinzel (VD)

021 824 11 41



Auberge Communale

le Lion D' Or

1268 Burtigny (VD)

022 366 20 21



Free, Jun 19, 2009 @ 20:41

I guess the poster above didn't read this:



[b]"In regards to the "English can't cook" thing, that was a joke.



But I did have a pretty bad culinary experience in London, but I was only there for a week so I can't really judge a city on that. Plus I couldn't afford the best places with the dollar to pound rate."

[/b]

Wow, even if they can cook some of the English apparently can't take a joke - which is actually contrary to a stereotype that I DID believe, since I love English humor.



Lighten up everyone. I couldn't afford the best restaurants in London. Hell, I couldn't afford the best places in Toronto.
JMfromTO, Jun 19, 2009 @ 20:43

@Marz

Try the two places at the bottom of the page on this link.

http://www.recettes-de-france.com/recette-fromage-malakoff_c21_r1225.html

TogJay, Jun 19, 2009 @ 20:53

JM:

I'm with you on this one. There are some great restos in GVA ofcourse, but in general - I find the restos here to be not too good. 

One favourite annoyance of mine is the local 'salad'. They serve a few leaves on a plate here, without spices and herbs, and call it a 'salad'. Where I come from, a salad is a TOTALLY different thing, bursting with all kinds of fresh veggies and spices and herbes and olive oil.

So yea, next time you eat at home - I'll join you...(-:
Nir Ofek, Jun 19, 2009 @ 22:13

[quote]



I make porridge for my son most days.. He's never lived in the UK , but has been brought up to appreciate our wonderful cuisine.. Just can't seem to get him interested in Cadbury's Chocolate , which means I have to eat the chocolate he's given by visiting relatives ;)[/quote]



You're bringing [i]Cadbury's[i] chocolate into Switzerland?! Is that not illegal? If not, it should be! If there is something the Swiss know how to do well, it's chocolate! I totally understand your son. That sugary stuff shouldn't even be allowed to be called chocolate.



I agree that the price level at restaurants in Geneva is much too high for the quality you get. Not everyone here has a high salary you know, and I also don't think the restaurant prices really stand in relation to the general price of food in Swiss supermarkets.



I particularly find the lunch prices ridiculously high. To put it in perspective, the price of an average lunch here (20-25 fr) is [i]twice[i] that of an average lunch in Stockholm, which is rumoured to be an expensive city.



And what's the deal with that awful 'filet de perche', by the way? It's disgusting! I don't eat meat, and find it really hard to find nice fish in this city (I'm not even going to go into the subject of vegetarian food...). Usually, it's just breaded and fried and served with some bland chips and no sauce, like filet de perche. Being so close to France, you'd think Geneva would have picked up a thing or two from the French cuisine, but no!

Having said that, I have had some wonderful fish at 5 portes in Paquis, as well as at the Auberge d'Hermance, and the fish I had in that restaurant in Parc de Bastion was also pretty good (at least it wasn't breaded!).
charlotta, Jun 19, 2009 @ 22:58

Nir told me that there is an interesting discussion about restaurants in Geneve and i should throw in my 2 cents.

One of the main features we are working on now in resto-rang is to integrate google translate into the comments so they will be also available in english. Right now most of them are in french.

Google translate is not good as human translation but it's good enough to get the general idea of the comment.

We are also trying to arrange more content and articles in english and more user reviews in english.

Nir we need to further discuss, maybe we can co-operate on this - i heard that u r looking for somewhere to eat, come on sunday we have tons of food here.

If anyone has more suggestions to make resto-rang more english friendly i will be happy to hear.

reffael, Jun 20, 2009 @ 01:38

Bistro le Boeuf Rouge in the Paquis has great Lyonnais cuisine...:w00t:

Speaking of Canadian "cuisine",  that reminds me of that famous dish, poutine (not sure about the spelling...) I'll let someone else post a picture of it....
Translator, Jun 20, 2009 @ 02:26

Steve, don't eat this - vol. 1



Potted Meat Food Product



There aren't too many products that feel the need to reassure you that they are, in fact, "food." Already not a good sign.



The list of ingredients is long and horrifying, coming right out of the gate with "MECHANICALLY SEPARATED CHICKEN." Oddly enough, I'm about to be separated from my lunch, and I haven't even opened the can yet.



Other ingredients include BEEF TRIPE, BEEF HEARTS, AND "PARTIALLY DE-FATTED COOKED PORK FATTY TISSUE" How does one de-fat fat? Bizarre. God knows what else is in here.



Okay, I'm going to go try it now. If i'm not back in ten minutes, call Poison Control...



---



I'm back. Oofah.



Okay, here we go-- Pulling back the lid (not recommended) lets loose an odor that punches you in the nose like a stinky fist. If you've ever smelled a can of dog food, it's just like that. Only imagine you are opening the can while your head is wedged in a horse's ass.



Inside is a smooth, oddly pink meat paste. So smooth, in fact, I dare call it "creamy." (I actually got a little gaggy just typing that.) Surprisingly, it was a little spicier than I expected. Although, that sensation may have been a by-product of my tastebuds dying.



The can shows a serving suggestion of the Potted Meat being served on squares of toast. I would also suggest squares of toilet paper. Or maybe a nice diaper.



All I can tell you is, I survived the first installment of "Steve, Don't Eat It." And I have to admit it may have even been a little educational. I know I learned at least one thing from "Ralph's Potted Meat"-- Ralph is a fucking dick.



Not surprisingly, I've come up with a little slogan the peeps who handle Potted Meat Marketing can use (no charge, as always): POTTED MEAT FOOD PRODUCT: Made By, For, And With Assholes.







Steve, Don't Eat It! Vol. 2



Pickled Pork Rinds



While perusing the "Good Lord, NOOOO!" aisle of the supermarket, I came across the atrocity known as Dolores Brand Pickled Pork Rinds. These are not the crunchy pork rinds you'll often see over by the chips. These are their grosser, soggier, potentially botulism-ier cousins.



The label says "Ready to Eat." They left off "By Dumb-Asses."



There is also a red starburst proudly proclaiming "Nuevo Envase de Vidrio Reusable". Not knowing much Spanish, I could only assume that meant "Oh Crap -- A Jar of Skin!"



I was wrong. It means: "New Reusable Glass Container" which I think is their subtle way of saying you can also use the jar to puke in.



Okay. I'm going to go consume. If I don't make it back to finish this review, tell my wife I love her. And not to eat the pork rinds.





******



I'm back. First off, I would like to say to Dolores, I am sorry. I don't know what it is I did to you, but you have gotten me back and we're even.



I knew I was in trouble as soon as I opened the jar, and heard no reassuring vacuum seal. I must admit that made me nervous, but what are the odds of a dusty jar of warm pig skin going bad, right?



Lifting the lid revealed a weird sour smell, something akin to mild vinegar and stale meat. I almost want to say it was like a freshly douched pork chop. But I won't. Why? Because I'm a fucking gentleman.



As I attempted to fish out a "good one," I couldn't help notice the alarming skin texture. For all those times I wondered what it would be like to gnaw on my grandmother's thigh, I was about to find out.



Taking a bite, I quickly realized the swatch of fat wasn't chewy at all. In fact, it was eerily soft, not unlike my own swatches of fat. This was a blessing because less chewing meant less actual contact with my mouth. I think it's fair to say it was everything you'd expect from a sliver of briney fat. It was also the only time in my life my brain formed the sentence: "I have a mouth full of cellulite."



While I cannot endorse the eating of Pickled Pork Rinds, I do endorse playing with it like a puzzle. I did have some fun trying to put the pig back together, but eventually that got boring as I lost the will to live.



I have a feeling Dolores and I are not done. As long as she continues to market such treats as Pickled Pork Lips and the bewildering Chili Brick, I have no doubt she and I will do battle again.





Steve, Don't Eat it! Vol. 3



Beggin' Strips



Beggin' Strips are bacon-shaped, bacon-flavored treats for dogs. In the commercial a dog runs around the house like a maniac shouting BACON, BACON, BACON, BACON, BACON! It's weird, because I do the exact same thing.



Beggin' Strips slogan is "Dogs don't know it's not bacon!" Newsflash: Dogs are retarded. Mine used to eat his own vomit, and wag his tail while he did it. I'll be the one to decide if this stuff tastes like bacon or not.



I know these snacks aren't made for human consumption, but while I was in the store the ingredients list looked pretty tame so I wasn't too concerned. Somehow I had missed one extremely dubious word sitting there all by itself. "MEAT". That's all it says... meat.



Meat is a pretty large umbrella. Beef is meat. Pork is meat. Horses, monkeys, and allegedly Arby's roast beef are meat. Even Rosie O'Donnell's ball sack is meat. Okay, maybe I've gone too far. I have no idea what that is they are serving at Arby's, but you get my point.



Alas, there is no turning back now. Despite the fact that I am a grown man with children, I'm off to go eat dog food. And what better way to have Beggin' Strips than in a Beggin', Lettuce, and Tomato Sammich!





**********



**********



I'm back. And I'm sad to report that I did not run around the house yelling "Bacon!" I did, however, run around the house yelling "Call 911!"



GodDAMN these are foul. Don't try this at home. I'm not sure it's safe, and I am sure your tongue may kill itself.



While they were a little too artificially colored red to pass for real bacon, I was pleased to see they were not all the same shape. Similar to slices of real bacon, they each have their own curvy and shriveled identity. (Just like my aunts and uncles.)



And somehow these Beggin' Strips also managed to smell just like bacon. Oopsie. Typo. I meant to say "the smoky puke of a thousand maniacs."



To put it simply, this is the devil's bacon. Even a healthy dose of bread, mayo, lettuce and tomato couldn't come close to masking the evil. The bitter nastiness literally got worse with every chew, and I was overcome by the urge to go in the backyard and eat grass until it was all out of me.



The following is a message to all dogs who read The Sneeze: First, sit. Sit! Good boy. Now listen to me. Beggin' Strips do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT TASTE LIKE BACON. You are all being played for chumps! Alright, now give me your paw. Okay, roll over! Good boy! Now go take a steamy dump in your master's shoe. Go on! Get!



In closing, the only silver lining to this dark dark cloud is I have figured out why so many dogs lick their own assholes. They are trying to kill the taste of Beggin' Strips. (By the way, it doesn't work.)
Casuistik, Jun 20, 2009 @ 03:15

Well it was a pretty poor joke sunshine....

Joke or otherwise I would say it's better to refrain from this sort of remark on these forums.

and by the way we spell it thus...



humour



and our English humour consists of more than sad stereotype bashing.

I remain yours etc



[quote]I guess the poster above didn't read this:



[b]"In regards to the "English can't cook" thing, that was a joke.



But I did have a pretty bad culinary experience in London, but I was only there for a week so I can't really judge a city on that. Plus I couldn't afford the best places with the dollar to pound rate."

[/b]

Wow, even if they can cook some of the English apparently can't take a joke - which is actually contrary to a stereotype that I DID believe, since I love English humor.



Lighten up everyone. I couldn't afford the best restaurants in London. Hell, I couldn't afford the best places in Toronto.[/quote]
phillip, Jun 20, 2009 @ 03:16

Let me add my tuppence.

I am a Swiss expat, living in the UK, but spending a lot of time in Geneva.

I have learned that attitudes to food is something very personal,

we often crave for what we learned to eat at home.

And if you are an expat it is very simple to blame the local food,

but we all do it sometimes.

For example, a packet of crisps for lunch still makes me cringe.

But if you try you can find good food in most places.:)



I've been in Canada including Toronto and ate well there.

If you have been in Israel you immediately understand that

Nir is missing salads with lots of veggies and olive oil.

Good and cheap food places is something I like about

many cities in the US where I have lived and Canada.

but in Switzerland there is not really a tradition of

always eating out. you better learn to cook

which is much cheaper anyway.;)



Many restaurants in Geneva are not very good,

it is hard to find a good chinese (I haven't), indian, thai, ...

However, there are some very good restaurants

and good examples were listed by others on this thread.

When in Switzerland/Geneva I like to get a pizza,

for example at Pizza d'oro, La meyrinoise or l'incontro.

Often I also go for homely food

such as ham on the bone which you can get it at the Auberge de Dardagny.

Try places outside the centre, these are often quite good.

Plat de jour as mentioned is often surprisingly good and a cost effective option.

And yes, I have a standing order from my family to bring home

chocolate.:D Apparently UK expats take home cadbury,;)



Bon appetit a tous.
muon, Jun 20, 2009 @ 03:42

Poutine is not really Canadian, lol. It's Québécois -French Canadian.
Marz, Jun 20, 2009 @ 04:40

Oh god how I miss poutine.....
HABSgirl, Jun 20, 2009 @ 10:53

TogJay, Free and Whovian-Thank you for the links to Malakoff. I will try it for sure!
Marz, Jun 20, 2009 @ 10:58

WOW, you have gotten so much feedback about this. Know why? Cause the food does kinda suck here. I am a Canadian. a New Yorker, and a foodie and have found a couple places in Geneva worth mentioning. First: Don't go to the banana leaf place on Rue de Carouge it is crap. Pricey but really worth it is Cafe des Bain in Plainpalais on rue des bain. "Le Mekong" on rue de Carouge has wicked vietnamese at inexpensive prices, try the vietnamese crepe or any of the soups. The service is kinda slow. Family business, but authentic and cheap (for Geneva). La Bourse in Carouge is standerd bistro fare, but they do an excellent steak tartare at your table. The cafe at Manor (5th fl.) is great for lunch with a great view, salads, good prices and you can pick what you want. There is a GREAT Erithrean place on Blvd Carl Vogt in an apt. it is the Erithrean society of Geneva. Very cool, very cheap, eat with your hands and super authentic. Hard to find, it is across from the coop, unmarked, in a small passageway up some stairs. Try and ask around someone is bound to take you there. or if you like I'll show it to you sometime. My last suggestion: L'echalotte, nice local swiss/French, good prices, very local in a good way, but honestly I have yet to find anything super here... I would suggest this site for a few other selections. Haven't tried them all, but it is a worthy site www.spottedbylocals.com, city: geneva. I have been spending a lot of time in Zurich and find it to ultimately be a way more exciting, diverse food place. If you ever go let me know and I will give you some suggestions. Bye the way, did you ever get a permit for work here or have you lost hope like me...cheers,

Linda
lindakeil, Jun 23, 2009 @ 18:20

I totally understand where you are coming from TO. I miss my cheap, delicious, fresh food from my home in CA.



It is frustrating to spend lots of money on places that are just suggestions. But really, it is the only way to discover new places.



I personally have given up and cook exclusively at home. I don't make a high salary and eating out used to be an often occurrence, now its a luxury! I save the money and eat at nicer places when we travel. It does cause a problem when you have visitors and they want to eat out and you have no clue where to take them!



P.S. I totally got your joke and people need to lighten up!
sloducky, Jun 23, 2009 @ 18:56

Hi JM from TO

From your posts you leave the impression that you only like to eat "good food" and haven't found it yet.

At the same time you are saying that you are going to Kebab and pizza places and basing 50% of your conclusion on bad pizza's????

I agree, one pizza is not like another... but what can you expect from a pizza?
Arnovd, Jun 26, 2009 @ 20:46

I'm not a very fussy eater, and I know some bad and some excellent places here in Geneva, but i must admit that the best food I've had is going to friends places. And for all those who constantly say that the British don't know how to cook, and that our food is terrible is because the really good food that we have, we keep secret as it is too sacred to be shared with all you foreigners!!!! ;D
DJ_Symcard, Jun 26, 2009 @ 21:08

Isa please stop my mouth is watering...
britabroad, Jun 26, 2009 @ 22:23

[quote][b]

britabroad (26/06/2009)[/b]

Isa please stop my mouth is watering...[/quote]



Bread and dripping?

hayes, Jun 26, 2009 @ 22:28

You've neglected my pasties .. First port of call when I go home to the South West.. MMMmm Oggies
britabroad, Jun 26, 2009 @ 23:57

[quote][b]

isa413 (26/06/2009)[/b]

I rather like toad in the hole, steak and kidney pudding, stew with dumplings, roast with yorkshire pudding, liver and bacon, bangers and mash,bread and butter pudding, treacle pudding, spotted dick, jam roly poly ............[/quote]



Isa, do you really eat "spotted dick"? ;)

I know the other dishes, but haven't heard of this one.

What is it?



cheers, Franz
muon, Jun 27, 2009 @ 17:54