Fine dining evokes different types of feelings in different people and many associate it with starched white tablecloths, uptight waiters and a stiff atmosphere. However, there are some restaurants that manage to find the right balance between elegant and casual.
The Rubino Restaurant, which is hidden away in one of Basel’s alleyways, has done just that. At the Rubino Restaurant you will still get the white tablecloths, but they simply add to the mostly white interiors, which are contrasted by beautiful rustic oak flooring, black bistro chairs and a quirky red pendant lamp.. The neatly arranged wine bottles and the red lamp add a subtle touch of design. The simple colour scheme and no fuss interiors create a very relaxing ambiance.
Photography: courtesy of Rubino Restaurant
Every day we are constantly confronted with decisions. Selecting something off a menu may be a small decision, yet I personally enjoyed the fact that there was no menu to chose from. As you are sipping on a glass of wine, you only need to decide whether you wish to go for a 3, 4 or 5 course meal and inform the wait staff of any allergies or other dietary restrictions and preferences. That’s it! Time to lean back and enjoy – Menu Surprise, creative cuisine prepared with seasonal and regional produce is coming your way! The cuisine is a healthy mix of Mediterranean and Swiss specialties, nicely presented and accompanied by some unusual regional and international wines.
Photography: snapshots by Simone Aïda Baur
Speaking of wines, I’d recommend stopping by at the Invino Wine Bar just opposite the Rubino Restaurant for a glass of wine before dinner. Due to the temporary lease of the premises, the interiors of the wine bar were built from old wine crates assembled in a seemingly random manner creating however an eye-catching structure and cozy atmosphere. During the warmer months you can also enjoy your glass of wine in the patio and experience one of those hidden courtyards of ancient Basel townhouses.
Whether you are looking for a venue for a romantic tête-à-tête or a business dinner, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Culinary regards,
Simone xx
P.S. For more restaurants in Basel you may also like to read my article The Basel Gastro Scene.
