267196 Sun Nov 27 17:21:12 -0800 2005 3 26 International 0 1408865 Going to Zurich next week, have checked board, but I am interested in mainly reasonable priced restaurants and one splurge. Also supermarket chains to purchase swiss goods and any particular recs. Thank you in advance. Sun Nov 27 17:21:12 -0800 2005 0 rufus1 1 1408871 Switzerland^s supermarkets are dominated by two chains, Migros and Coop. Most Migros products are Migros branded, Coop carries mostly brand-names, so Migros may be more interesting, the quality is often a lot better than at Coop and they're even cheaper. Migros has a huge supermarket in the basement on Lowenstrasse, Coop's largest branch in downtown Zurich is on the Bahnhofstrasse and called "St. Annahof". e.g. for bar chocolate, try the Migros-own "Frey" brand, at Coop try some from Cailler, which is IMO better than most of the stuff from the famous Lindt brand, avoid Coop's Lola brand though, it's horrible. Coop has a good selection of wine and "Bio" products, Migros doesn't sell any alcohol. For the best deli supermarket in Zurich, visit the basement of the Globus department store on Bahnhofstrasse, the quality of the products there (bread, cheese, meats etc) is outstanding. The department store Jelmoli also has a large basement supermarket, great wine dept. but the fresh products are far less good than in Globus. If you want to splurge, try the restaurent "Spice" in the hotel Rigiblick, they do traditional french and excellent "panasian" cuisine. Their 4-course business lunch weekdays at about $50 is a great deal, multi-course dinner menus range up to $100 but you're completely flexible regarding which and how many courses you want. The place has only been open for about a year, GM rated them with 16 points and they are definitely heading for a Michelin star. Location is on top of the Zurich mountain, easily reachable by taxi or tram and a short ride on a cogwheel train, the view is specactular. Reservations, esp. in the evening, are highly recommended. Another new higher end place, specialized in "tapas with a twist" is "Sein", also very centrally located close to the main train station. For traditional Swiss food, the two best places are Obere Fluhgasse (don't miss their roeschti and veal (hash browns with cream sauce) and Alpenrose, both are a little bit outside the city center. Smack in the middle of Zurich is Munsterhof, which is also very good for Swiss/French. Zurich has many good and reliable Italian restaurants, two decent ones in the center are Bindella and Cantinetta Antinori, Il Giglio is a bit further from the center but very good as well. If you're feeling adventurous, visit the area around Langstrasse, it's a bit "red lighty" but has lots of good and affordable ethnic places. Mon Nov 28 02:41:56 -0800 2005 1408865 0 Snahlami 1 1408876 I used to work at a Migros in Canton Aargau. The most interesting things to purchase there would probably be their house brand chocolate (Frey). They are nearly identical to Lindt. You may be able to find a good sized bag of chocolate bars there at a good price. There is an interesting Swiss soda, Rivella, that you might try. It is made from lactic acid and has a kind of a clear amber color. My wife thinks it tastes like belly button lint (I don't know how she would know that). I like it though it may be an acquired taste. Migros has a housebrand version called Surellis (or something close to that). Mon Nov 28 09:47:04 -0800 2005 1408865 0 ChowFun 1 1408891 I was in Zurich last week and bought my food souvenirs at Migros supermaket at the Airport Train station. The prices are the same as at other branches of this chain. Very convenient especially for cheeses since checked luggage is kept cold on the plane ride home. Mon Nov 28 13:05:07 -0800 2005 1408865 0 gourmaniac