Zurich’s Boutique Coffeehouse
When I first learned that my husband and I were moving to Zürich, I quickly ran to the bookstore and bought a handful of travel guides on Switzerland. I began spending hours on the internet, reading articles, checking out expat blogs, as well as searching for Swiss cookbooks. For our first visit here, I figured we would just roam the streets and get a feel for the city, without paying close attention to my lists of sweet addresses… yet.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but notice that Schober, the one pastry shop I had underlined and bolded and put big stars all around it, was [gasp] closed. For good? For renovations? Once settled in in Zürich, I passed by every now and then to see if progress was being made. I peeked through the windows and saw the beautiful moldings, ceiling and chandelier, and just waited for this old-fashioned confectionery to be open again. Finally, in March of this year, after 4 months of renovations, it was back in business. Worth the wait? Absolutely.
Only it was no longer Café Conditorei Schober, what I had read about to be Zürich’s most famous café with a rich history. The original 14th century building was turned into a confectionery and coffee shop by Theodor Schober, Sr. in the late 19th century. His son, Theodor Schober, Jr., took over until the age of 92, when the café was then bought and renovated by Teuscher, a name many of us rightfully equate with chocolate. But now it is Péclard, with Michel Péclard at the helm, alongside his charming manager Martin Egger. They present a fine mix of tradition and innovation, with an attention to detail in the esthetics and gastronomy.
What was the first thing that caught my eye? The macarons, bien sûr. Real Parisian macarons. The boutique is unavoidably similar in feel to another luxurious patisserie we know and love, Paris’ Ladurée. Boxes come in light pinks, purples and even Ladurée’s signature mint green color. I will admit being quite surprised by this. But you’re quickly reminded of your surroundings when you admire the artwork on the boxes, one motif being Zürich’s Grossmünster church (the box I have sitting on my desk here). Macarons come in the classic variety of flavors: chocolate, coffee, caramel, lemon, raspberry, blackcurrant, pistachio and vanilla, as well as coconut, rose and chocolate passionfruit.
But Péclard is not just about macarons. They are continuing the legacy of a traditional pastry shop and tea salon with a large menu of both sweet and savory treats (salads, sandwiches, soups, Flammekueche and quiche, etc.). You also have a large choice of atmospheres to enjoy it in, with several floors and diverse settings. Péclard and Egger spent a lot of time traveling throughout France, especially in Paris, gathering inspiration and ideas, not to mention all of the furniture and tableware for the different rooms. While preserving the original layout and lavish design, they put together what they call their “boutique coffeehouse.” There’s a small courtyard in front of the entrance for when the weather permits. A classic tea salon is right off of the pastry shop and there is a more romantic French-style area upstairs with red, plush armchairs, turning into a piano bar in the evenings. Next up is a spacious bar facing beautiful wallpaper that was hand-crafted in the prestigious factories of Alsace. Lastly, there’s a more classic and formal room on the top floor.
If you ask me, the very best import from France was Patrick Mesiano, master French chef Joël Robuchon’s celebrity patissier. His array of cakes is simply impressive. Elegant presentations and top quality to match. Chocolate lovers, look no further than the Intense (below right), whose name does not lie. Dark chocolate cream with dark chocolate ganache – it’s dense, rich… and intense. No surprise at my pick: the Fleur de Sel (bottom left) – dark chocolate mousse with a creamy caramel filling and my favorite French salt. And of course, no tasting would be complete without a sample of those colorful macarons.
Don’t leave without looking at the array of products at the entrance. There is a wall of jams from Le Comptoir des Confitures, in France’s Saint Jean du Gard, original combinations of fruit in sleek glass jars. There are chocolates from Zürich’s well-known, century-old Honold (of which I am a fan) and plenty more temptations. There is also a large focus on tea, an impressive selection on offer coming from the gourmet institution across the street, Schwarzenbach. Last but not least, be sure to check out the cash register, an absolute beauty.
Péclard
Napfgasse 4
8001 Zürich
+41.44.251.51.50
http://peclard-zurich.ch/
September 14th, 2009 at 13:36
I have always wanted to go that place, but just didn’t find the time when we were there. It was on my list of too visit places the next time we go back. I hope the hot chocolate is still just as amazing as I have heard it was.
September 14th, 2009 at 14:46
SO chic!
September 14th, 2009 at 17:52
*adds Péclard to the list of places to visit next time in Zurich*
I love learning about these types of places, the history and architecture (not to mention, the goodies!) are great!
September 14th, 2009 at 17:58
kelleyn, Péclard will be for your next trip then. I actually haven’t tried the hot chocolate there … yet ! 😉
jkiel, oh absolutely – while the sweet treats are in fact fantastic, I love it too when there’s such a rich history behind a place. The goooorgeous setting doesn’t hurt either ! You should check out Schober’s website (link above), there’s a whole timeline about the confectionery’s history. If you don’t understand German, you can use Google translate.
September 14th, 2009 at 18:54
I love it when you write about places in Zurich… because then instead of fantasizing about going, and adding it to a travel-wish-list buried somewhere in the depths of my computer never to see daylight again… I can actually go! This weekend! 🙂
September 14th, 2009 at 19:24
This place is so elegant. I would love to go for coffee and sweets!!!! Wow!!!! Definitely worth the calories that I would consume. I hope that will be on open when I do come to Zurich. You can taste the the cakes right from the computer. It can be like scratch and snif!!!!!
September 14th, 2009 at 22:33
Even sitting here, with a head cold, chest cold, bad cough and slowly losing my voice, my little bleary eyes lit up at the sight of macarons. I think they would have been the first thing I noticed, too! I also thought immediately of Laduree with those boxes. But I love the ribbon rack on the wall. So great. I wish I could have one here to wrap all my presents! 🙂
September 14th, 2009 at 22:58
Another reason to visit Zurich! I just recently had my first Flammekueche at a great restaurant here in Lux called Goethe Stuff (weird name, huh?) that has specialties from Alsace. I’m a fan. They are delish! Ah, I could live here forever! So much so see (and eat!)
September 14th, 2009 at 23:17
Romy, excellent point! haha! I have many of those travel wish lists, as I am sure you could have guessed! This weekend, oh la la, you must report back and let us know what you had! Too bad I won’t be around to join you 🙁
Lani, when you come to Zürich in October, you’ll be able to go everywhere – Péclard, Vollenweider, Sprüngli AND Ladurée. You ready ?! No scratch and sniff then. It will be — buy and eat ! haha!
Julia, oh no, I am so sorry to hear you are sick. But I’m glad I could distract you a bit from all that with these photos. Try having a macaron or two – may not work as well as chicken soup, but it’s worth a try. No?
katy, mmmm, I love Flammekueche. Authentic tarte flambées are fantastic. I had my fill for sure when we were in Alsace, and there’s a few places that make great ones here in Zürich too. Goethe Stuff is a funny name for sure! A top restaurant here is called Goethe Stübli, not Stuff !
Oh, and katy – I totally agree… so much to see, so much to do, so much to taste !! 🙂
September 15th, 2009 at 03:30
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Travel News and Kerrin Rousset. Kerrin Rousset said: [new blog post] Zürich?s Boutique Coffeehouse http://bit.ly/2KWlAr […]
September 15th, 2009 at 22:28
Wow! What a beautiful place to have a cup of coffer with Macarons..
September 16th, 2009 at 02:42
Wow, what a lovely looking little place. Couldn’t you just spend the whole day there? The macarons look so tempting. These little shops are what I really miss about Europe.
September 16th, 2009 at 13:53
Those cakes look divine!! love the decor too.
September 16th, 2009 at 14:32
Darina, YES – I probably could spend the whole day there. Very dangerous its close proximity to my home ! 🙂
September 18th, 2009 at 20:40
Whoa baby! That place looks spectacular… and huge. I’ll be in Zurich soon, and you can bet they’ll be on my A list. Please say a prayer for me that they’ll have the “Intense” available. That’s got my name written all over it! Thanks for the fabulous recommendation… and as always, fabulous photography.
September 19th, 2009 at 14:55
WOW… I really need to think about visiting Zurich. This place is incredible. Is it Zuber wallpaper from Alsace on the walls of the Coffeehouse? It’s my maiden name and I have done extensive research hoping to find my great-grandparents had a connection to the French Zubers (I hoped to find that I am French and that would explain my over-the-top love affair with that country), but found instead that we were right across the border in Germany.
September 20th, 2009 at 05:02
Hi Kerrin,
When I saw those boxes, I thought for sure, they were Laduree’s! But wow! What a gorgeous place Peclard is! It looks like you got courtside privileges, too! Wonderful photos and telling of Peclard’s luxurious patisserie. Bravo!
Jen
September 23rd, 2009 at 16:34
Well, I think they need to redo the place, Kerrin…. don’t you? The stunning ornate cabinetry, gorgeous grey wallpaper, and charming details. Why not just stacks of old shipping crates and a few folding chairs? Maybe Zurich isn’t that classy just yet! 😉 I swear I almost cried when I saw the first pic alone….SO beautiful! Sigh. I just popped a button looking at the beautiful pastries. Sigh…again. Happy, happy, joy, joy. (Aside from the fact that it is so far away from me.) 🙂
October 5th, 2009 at 18:12
Steve, thanks! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. You should have no problem getting the Intense there… that is, unless I beat you to it! 🙂
Eileen, a visit to Zurich is a must for you ? if not just to see the Zuber wallpaper at Péclard. Yes it is indeed Zuber (design: Eldorado) from Rixheim in Alsace. I spoke with Martin, the manager who said the following: “It is particularly nice at the Schober as you can admire it in its integrity, even with the beautiful blue sky as the ceiling is very high, no windows or cut outs etc.” Must be such fun tracing your family history – whichever side of the French/German border it falls!!
Jen, haha, courtside privileges indeed! Up close and personal with those cakes! Thanks for the great comment.
Uncle Beefy, you are SO right. I’ll have to give Herr Péclard a call later! Old shipping crates and folding chairs – just making a note of that, ok, got it. 😉
October 6th, 2009 at 14:07
Do they take reservations…I am coming
October 15th, 2009 at 07:16
Hmmm… I seem to spy a photo of a mille-feuilles, just above your Fleur de Sel photo… and it looks suspiciously French, which is a major relief. I love mille-feuilles, but one of my beefs in Switzerland is that they add a thin layer of red (strawberry?) jam between one of the layers. Sacrilegious! The mille-feuille is a delicate balance of creme anglaise and pate feuilletee (sorry, no accents on this keyboard) and that splash of jam completely unbalances what was once a perfect dessert… so if this mille-feuille is jam-free, it might be worth a special trip to Zurich! 🙂
November 2nd, 2009 at 22:57
Scribetrotter, no jam in that mille-feuille, I assure you. (So come on over!) With a French pastry chef at the helm, you can be sure of that. Meanwhile, I don’t think I have ever seen a mille-feuille with jam in between the layers. I am awfully curious now though…!
November 5th, 2009 at 19:14
[…] and now is owned by Michel Péclard, which turned this building into a boutique coffee shop. Click here to view the originally […]
June 5th, 2010 at 21:27
I love your site! I stumbled into it searching for Peclard. My aunt from Zurich brought me a box of macarons. It’s so heavenly. She usually brings the luxemburgli from Sprungli but now I’m a Peclard convert! I haven’t been to Zurich in 5 years. Will definitely add this exciting shop to my list! Thank you!!
December 21st, 2010 at 19:42
Had a cappuccino and cherry tart there this afternoon. An absolutely beautiful place – definitely recommend it to your readers. Your photographs capture its magic and atmosphere perfectly!