MANDARIN ORIENTAL, GENEVA TO OPEN OTTOLENGHI GENEVA ON JANUARY 30 (Switzerland)
Mandarin Oriental, Geneva is delighted to announce the forthcoming opening of Ottolenghi Geneva on January 30. |
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MANDARIN ORIENTAL, GENEVA TO OPEN OTTOLENGHI GENEVA ON JANUARY 30 (Switzerland)
Mandarin Oriental, Geneva is delighted to announce the forthcoming opening of Ottolenghi Geneva on January 30. |
Category: Europe - Switzerland - Industry economy
- Exclusive experiences
- Gourmet restaurants
- Gourmet restaurants vRenovation / Addition - What's new?
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2025-01-09
 Ottolenghi Geneva will offer an all-day menu that combines local Swiss ingredients with the flavours of the Mediterranean
Photo credit © Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Maxime Martin will helm Ottolenghi Geneva as Head Chef, bringing over seven years of expertise at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva.
Since joining the hotel in 2018, he has built upon a distinguished culinary career, honed in Michelin-starred kitchens along the Côte d’Azur.
Ahead of the opening, Maxime trained in Ottolenghi’s London kitchens under Neil Campbell, Executive Chef of the Ottolenghi restaurant group and the former Head Chef at ROVI. Maxime co-created the menu in Geneva and has infused Ottolenghi’s vibrant Mediterranean flavours with distinct Swiss touches, showcasing his commitment to local, seasonal ingredients and celebrating the region’s rich culinary history.
Ottolenghi Geneva will offer an all-day menu that combines local Swiss ingredients with the flavours of the Mediterranean. With Ottolenghi’s signature of using fresh, seasonal ingredients and layers of colour and texture, the menu is designed for sharing with a mixture of small and large plates.
At breakfast, the menu will feature Ottolenghi classics such as the shakshuka with braised eggs and labneh, alongside indulgent treats including a halva and chocolate Danish or banana bread.
The main menu will celebrate vegetables from ‘root to tip’, with a fresh focus on fermentation and cooking over fire. Diners can expect to discover some of ROVI’s signature dishes, such as the celeriac shawarma, where celeriac is cooked whole over an open flame until charred, then sliced and served within a homemade pita with Tunisian bkeila, yoghurt sauce and crispy onions, with a spicy fermented tomato sauce on the side.
Maxime and the Ottolenghi team have also developed a range of dishes unique to Switzerland, such as langos, black garlic butter, sour cream and locally sourced Chällerhocker, an Alpine cheese.
The menu will also give pride of place to fish and meat, with hero dishes such as fish kofta with caraway tomato sauce, while lamb shoulder and chicken are both grilled over live fire in a specially designed clay oven. The lamb is finished with a rose and cardamom crust and served with fennel labneh, while the chicken is paired with coconut milk and tomatillo peanut salad, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience.
For dessert, guests can choose from dishes including chocolate and tahini fondant served with star anise ice cream or preserved lemon pavlova with lemon curd and mascarpone cream.
Prices at Ottolenghi Geneva will range from around CHF 10 for small plates to CHF 120 for larger sharing portions, offering a diverse range of options to suit all tastes and occasions.
From a produce perspective, the restaurant will honour its Mediterranean roots while staying deeply connected to local Swiss farmers and growers.
These include Terraviva, a collective of over 80 organic growers, and Ferme Courtois which is located just 30 minutes’ drive from the restaurant and will provide key grains and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas.
Any leftover fruit and vegetables will be made into pickles and ferments, all crafted in-house, such as mustard Jerusalem artichoke or spiced kumquat. Ingredients like honey from Les Miels de Stéphanie and artisanal Swiss cheeses, including Gruyère and Chällerhocker, will also feature prominently, emphasising Ottolenghi Geneva’s dedication to local flavours. Meanwhile, Ottolenghi’s signature touches remain unmistakable, with carefully-sourced staples such as Al Arz Tahini, renowned for its smooth, nutty taste, and spice blends made in-house such as Baharat and Advieh.
A cocktail menu will mirror the creative approach of the food and feature Ottolenghi’s take on classic cocktails as well as original creations. Each drink will incorporate elements of preservation and fire, part of a cocktail menu which shifts according to the availability of seasonal produce and botanicals. A list of low-intervention wines will also be available.
The new Ottolenghi restaurant in Geneva is designed by the Ottolenghi group’s architect Alex Meitlis and is bathed in natural light from large windows overlooking the Rhône River. It features a rich colour palette of whites, reds and gold/bronze accents, reflecting signature elements of ROVI’s design while also offering a striking contrast to the natural wood and fabrics used throughout the restaurant.
A central focal point will be the live-fire grill, which is both a functional and aesthetic feature, placing the culinary process at the heart of the dining experience. A glass wall will provide a seamless visual connection to the heart of the hotel and is adorned with contemporary gold, bronze and natural wood sculptural accents, inspired by the creativity of the iconic Ottolenghi design creator, the late Ivo Bisignano.
In tribute to his legacy, the restaurant showcases murals created by Giles & Cecilie Studio, further enriching the visual experience.
Meitlis explains: "Our design for Ottolenghi restaurants is always heavily inspired by Yotam's style of cooking. We took the same approach for Geneva, taking basic materials and giving them a twist. In the same way as Yotam makes a vegetable look like an art piece with contrasting colours and accents, which feels effortless but extremelycalculated at the same time."
With oak parquet flooring and thoughtful touches of greenery, Ottolenghi Geneva will be a lively space where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an atmosphere that beautifully complements the bold flavours of the menu. For those looking to bring home a souvenir of their dining experience, Yotam Ottolenghi’s best-selling books will also be available for purchase directly in the restaurant.
Paul Jones, Mandarin Oriental, Geneva’s General Manager, commented on the forthcoming opening, noting: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ottolenghi to Mandarin Oriental, Geneva and look forward to creating memorable and delightful dining experiences that reflect our shared passions for exceptional cuisine and hospitality in this beautiful setting on the banks of the Rhône River.”
Yotam Ottolenghi added: "It is so exciting seeing Ottolenghi Geneva coming together - the team has worked hard to make this restaurant a reality. From the grill to the decor and artwork to the delicious dishes on the menu created by Maxime and Neil. I can't wait to open the doors for you all to taste this new menu that brings together local Swiss produce and Ottolenghi flavours."
The restaurant will officially open on30 January, 2025.Reservations for large groups will include options for semi-private or full private hire.
Guests will be able to choose between two curated set menus: the "Ottolenghi" menu at 89 CHF per person including a starter, main course, dessert and petit fours or the "Celebration" menu at 119 CHF per person which includes an aperitif, starter, main course, dessert and petit fours.
Guests will also be able to organise private social events and choose from a tailored menu of canapés and appetisers.
Secure your table now on:https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/ottolenghigeneva
About Ottolenghi
Ottolenghi was founded in 2002 with the opening of a small deli in Notting Hill, London, by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. What followed was a 20 year journey seeing the opening of six further London delis and most recently Oxfordshire, and two restaurant concepts; NOPI in Soho, and ROVI in Fitzrovia. With eleven international best-selling cookbooks, Guardian and New York Times columns, a central test kitchen, and a successful online store selling branded goods, Yotam and the Ottolenghi group’s impact on modern cooking is hard to overestimate.
About Mandarin Oriental, Geneva
Overlooking the Rhône river and within walking distance of the city's main attractions such as the Lake, Jet D'eau and St. Peter's Cathedral, Mandarin Oriental, Geneva is a five-star hotel with contemporary Swiss hospitality offering supreme views of the Old Town and the snow-capped mountains. The 178 rooms and suites are designed with a contemporary and refined style, inspired by nature, mountains, and water. The hotel’s outstanding restaurants and vibrant bar have made a significant contribution to Geneva’s dining scene, while visitors can rejuvenate and unwind with Swiss expertise at the hotel’s wellness facilities. Combining luxury, style and unbeatable service, it is the perfect city retreat.
 Mandarin Oriental, Geneva to Open Ottolenghi Geneva on January 30
Photo credit © Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
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