Geneva: UN Cafeteria

As part of my work mission in Geneva, I was able to sit through the whole review of UPR which conducted by Human Rights Commission of UN for two days. I spent the first day just lounging in their cafe area. On second day, we supposed to meet someone from UK delegation team on Human Rights at Geneva so we decided to have lunch at UN Cafeteria.

UN Cafeteria is pretty much like school cafeteria, I assume, with more types of food available; hot, cold, savoury, sweet. You name it, they have it. They would show what food they have today on big TV screen and would tell you what already finished. (I took the pictures after finishing my lunch, hence the place looked deserted and food already ran out).

the view outside the cafeteria (taken from floor above)

The sitting area was absolutely spacious. You can sit inside or outdoor on good sunny day. The view was amazing. When you look outside, you can see part of the lake.

Rosti and pork sauce

salad

My choice of food was the express one. I believe it was Swiss's Rosti (fried shredded potatoes) top with pork sauce and cheese. I also went for some cold salad which you can choose whatever you want yourself and you will pay by gram. I was sitting opposite S who went for dessert as well. Their food look great and also taste good. Not magnificently, but definitely better than what they serve at UN Thailand office for sure.

To me, the food was decent but highlight was the experience at the UN Geneva itself. It's amazing to think I would have the chance to be there. And in case you think this entry is such a waste coz I'm not gonna be in UN Geneva for work, UN Cafeteria actually opens for those who take tour around UN Geneva as well. So you can sit along side with people working in UN. Who knows, you could actually sit next to US ambassador to UN Geneva! Definitely worth while experience!

Cafeteria at UN Geneva Palais des Nations Geneva


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And I'm sharing some pretty pix from Geneva~

Famous three legged chair in from of Palais des Nations

The meeting room on Human Rights

The roof was really over the top

Geneva: Wasabi Sushi Bento Bar

This might sound ridiculous but first meal in Geneva for me was...Japanese. I know I can't believe that myself but I blamed it on the exhaustion from long flight and my energy power was hitting the bottom when I ran into "Wasabi Sushi Bento Bar". I was actually trying to look for the restaurant which specialised in grilled chicken but couldn't find it. So I was like "Screw it, I need something now". Hence I started sushi shopping there.


The thing about this place is you just pick out whatever you like and pay then eat. They have all sorts of sushi, rice dishes and salads provided, whether in set or individual. I chose salmon role thing with avocado as stuffing and tofu salad coz I was really craving some vegetable at that point.


The salmon was smoked one which is expected in Europe. I guess people still don't like the idea of raw fish huh? Anyhow, I love the avocado stuffing. I know, plain but I guess it is comfort food for me somehow.

The salad was the real winner. Cold tofu, avocado and sesame dressing can never fail you. REALLY. I just realised as I'm typing that I may actually have avocado as one of my favourite food - hah! So the tasty sesame dressing and cold tofu are such a great combination. I felt so loved after it.

I guess this place is quite authentic and cheap (well, for Swiss people) since I met couples of Japanese people eating there. Just in case you got tired of cheese, this can be another way out. But if you ask me, Japanese food in Thailand is better - hehe.

Wasabi - Sushi Bento Bar
Boulevard Helvétique 32
1207 Geneve
Switzerland
Website: http://wasabisushi.ch/
Open: Monday - Saturday; 10.00 to 22.00 hrs


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Geneva: Auberge de Savièse

As part of the training, we suppose to have a dinner together for one night. Our kind organiser decided we should go with traditional Swiss cuisine so we went out for a meal at restaurant which is specialised in Fondue.

Once we were seated, me and S started flickering through menu and decided that we would have Fondue maison (traditional cheese fondue) to share with everyone on table while someone suggested we should have Fondue à la tomate (tomatoes cheese fondue) as well. Me and S decided we should have our starter with Raclette dégustation (grilled cheese) and goat cheese salad to share. I know, that was a lot - we were starving!

potatoes and melted cheese

gherkins and pickled onions

all together now

Raclette dégustation was served first. Raclette is basically "..cheese round is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto diners' plates; the term raclette derives from the French word racler, meaning "to scrape". Traditionally, it is accompanied by small firm potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, and dried meat." (For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raclette) My Raclette was served with potatoes, gherkins and pickled onions. I wasn't a fan of gherkins or pickled onions but to eat with melted cheese, it was great! I forgot to take picture of goat cheese salad, I guess we were too hungry to stop ourselves to take picture. As you can probably guess, salad dressing in Europe is always light - olive oil and vinaigrette. So it was light and perfect with the goat cheese and vegetable.

Fondue Maison

bread dipping in cheese (with help from S - Merci!)

Fondue à la tomate

pouring that on potatoes

Then the fondues were served with bread (for dipping) and potatoes (for pouring the cheese on top). Fondue, for those who might not know, is melted cheese mixing with white wine in melting pot. The traditional cheese was quite nice, eating with bread was a great deal (though it was burning hot so you'd better be caution before putting it in your mouth!). The one with tomato was a little bit too acid. S was assuming they put in too much wines in it coz you can really taste the alcohol. When we tried our neighbour's pot, it wasn't too alcoholic so I guess the chef was a bit heavy handed when it comes to our pot. If asked, I would prefer the traditional cheese one more than others.

We were so full of each and I think all of us were having the '..too much, shouldn't eat like that again' moment. Nonetheless, it was a nice place for bonding and sharing good food. Oh so much joy~

Auberge de Savièse
20 rue des Pâquis
1201 Genève
Switzerland
Tel. +41 22 732 83 30
Open: 12.00 - 14.00 hrs
18.00 - 24.00 hrs


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Geneva: Gelato Mania

Sorry that I seemed to be disappeared. I just came back from work trip in Geneva, which has been amazing beyond my expectation, both the city itself and my work. I was there to learn about Universal Periodic Review which is a process that review human right issues in each country by other State members of UN. It was amazing what Civil Society can also do in this part to level up our countries' human right standard. Anyhow, this is not a place for me to talk about it but if you are interested, please find out more information at UN's Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights.

I arrived at Geneva on last Saturday and only had that one free day to explore the town. The weather in Geneva was amazing, 20 degrees something with sunshine. So after walking around town for a bit, I saw people queuing up for ice cream at this place quite near my hotel. I asked our reception and she told me it was the best place in town so I jumped in to join the queue!

coffee and cocoa in small cup

Everything was in Frech (of course) so I used the knowledge of French which I learned 12 years ago to get on by. I was suppose to order Caramel and Cocoa but the sale person misunderstood caramel for Cafe which is coffee. Sent me to panic a bit since I don't drink coffee and never had coffee ice cream before (yes, such person existed in the society). But after the first taste of their coffee gelato, I am totally converted! It was probably one of the nicest gelato I ever had. It wasn't too sweet and the coffee taste wasn't that bad (though my colleague, S, said it was quite strong. I guess she was right since she had coffee ice cream before, I on the other hand was a coffee-virgin). Cocoa was also nice but at that point, it was all about coffee gelato for me!

chocolate chips with coffee and caramel with condensed milk

The last day before I left Geneva, I dropped by the place with S for some more gelato. We got two for each cup so we ended up having 4 types of gelato to try! I wanted to try caramel as S said it was delicious and wanted my coffee as usual. S made ordered for the chocolate chip (Stracciatella) and the condensed milk one. We were two happy people sitting in a bench eating ice cream! The condensed milk one was very interesting and nice. Not over sweet. Caramel was also good.

If you happen to be in Geneva, around the lake. Be sure to walk to Rue des Pâquis for some ice cream at Gelato Mania - totally worth it!

Gelato Mania
Rue des Pâquis 25,
1201 Genève, Switzerland


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