Zum Goldenen Fass

Restaurant: Zum Goldenen Fass
Address: Hammerstr. 108, 4057 Basel
Tel: 061 693 34 00

Last visit: 27/06/2003 (Nick Steven)

If you are a visitor to the Messe or you otherwise take a stroll in the darker reaches of Kleinbasel, you will eventually come across Zum Goldenen Fass.

The cuisine at ZGF is probably best described as Cucina Casalinga Italiana or Italian Housewife Cooking. The idea is they always try to use the freshest possible ingredients – and that is normally what is available at the time of year.

On our latest visit it was a hot summer day, and in spite of them not having a terrace, the windows had been kept open and the place was nice and airy. Normally the place is heaving with people but because of the weather, most of Basel was probably taking a dip in the Rhine and we more or less had the restaurant to ourselves.

On arrival we were offered an aperitif – we both took a prosecco which was nicely chilled. For a starter I took the marinaded prawns with rocket leaves and my wife had San Danielle ham with melon. My prawns were wonderful. Nice and flavoursome and the rocket was perfect – not a hint of limpness.

For main course, I had the vitello tonnato – slices of veal with a tunafish sauce. I have lived in Italy for a few years and this is one of the dishes I never got around to trying. It was really tasty. My wife had the bucatini which looked good too. The meal was washed down with a very pleasant 1999 Shiraz from Tuscany and we felt no great pain as a result.

For dessert I took a creme brulee which was just right. And to go with the coffee they have a fairly comprehensive list of grappe and amari.

My only complaint about the place is that they don’t open at the weekend – I’d love to go in for an extensive Italian “pranzo” one time but never mind – don’t let this put you off.

Pricewise, I would place ZGF as being about average – starters range from about SFr9 to 15; pasta from SFr 14 to 20; meat/fish dishes from SFr25-35.

Compared to other places in the same price category, they take a lot of care over the quality of food presented and the service.

This is a place that deserves to be supported.

Added: Friday, June 27, 2003
Reviewer: Nick Steven
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