Le Bayview: bold, technical cuisine!
During my stay in Switzerland (2023), I wanted to try the Bayview after discovering Chef Danny Khezzar on the TV show Top Chef. I must admit that I followed all his competitions and was a little disappointed not to see him win (although I’m looking forward to tryingHugo Riboulet‘s cuisine).
Bayview is one of Geneva’s finest restaurants, with a Michelin star and an 18/20 rating from Gault & Millau. For 11 years, chef Michel Roth, one of France’s most successful chefs, worked in the restaurant. Chef Danny Khezzar took over the reins on May 1, 2023.
The restaurant is located within the Hotel Président Wilson. It overlooks Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. The setting is quite “classic” and rather “chic”. We had informed the restaurant in advance that we were vegetarians, so that the “signature” menu could be adapted. I must admit that when I saw the restaurant’s setting, I was a little worried that I’d be faced with a more “traditional” cuisine, too “classic”, but knowing Chef Khezzar, I thought my fears were unfounded. And, indeed, there’s a real discrepancy between the setting and the dishes. The level of technicality is really quite high (the highest I’ve ever experienced).
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A playful menu that uses molecular cuisine concepts without distorting the product!
I was lucky enough to taste the “chips” gratin dauphinois as an amuse bouche. It’s a real condensation of taste in a small transparent tile. A taste explosion! The menu as a whole is quite playful: there are reassuring tastes such as tomato mozzarella and cappuccino de pommes rattes à la truffe (Chef Roth‘s signature dish), but also tastes that strike the taste buds, such as raviole à la figue or yellow zucchini with Schweppes Liveche and lemon caviar granita. The desserts were also highly technical, with a blackcurrant soufflé.
My favorite part of the meal was the tomato mozzarella, basil vanilla espuma and its sublimation. Not only was this dish playful, but the taste was simply incredible, generous. There was something reassuring about it: it transported me elsewhere! I felt like I was eating this dish by the sea, in the sun, even though it was already late.
I really enjoyed this meal, which was a refreshing change from those I’d already tasted at other top restaurants. Even if the technical side of things plays an important role, taste remains the watchword on the menu. The products used are seasonal, local and of the highest quality!
Best Veggie Tables' opinion
In a nutshell: technical expertise for great taste!
Areas for improvement: I think we could go even further in terms of plant-based ingredients, especially on the main plates.
Last visit: October 2023 (1 visit)
Where to find this exceptional table
Le Bayview by Michel Roth
Gourmet restaurant – 1 Michelin star
Quai Wilson 47, 1211 Geneva
Tuesday 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Open Wednesday to Saturday 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Closed Monday and Sunday