Lammli - Metzerlen

From the outside you might never give this restaurant a second look. You'd think just another neighbourhood Beitz. If you enter what you see is indeed a typical old style Beitz. Charming in the 60's sense. However it is well worth a stop. The menu, hand written on a sandwich board, is simple with two tagesmenus (soup or salad and main with either meat/fish or vegie). The other side of the sandwich board is the short à la carte selection. Everything listed is what belongs in a traditional Beitz. Kidneys, tripe , a schnitzel variation, soup, salad, a fish perhaps etc. On the surface nothing out of the ordinary. This is where the stealthy bit kicks in. In the kitchen is Bernhard Weber, dressed in old jeans and and simple work shirt. His inspiration elevates these simple dishes to something quite special. I had an asparagus cream soup that epitomized the taste of the asparagus season. Not the usual thick, creamy potage but a lighter veloute like soup with intense flavour. Garnished with crouton. That was followed with his version of tripe. Cooked in a bier sauce instead of the frequently encountered tomato or white wine sauce. The meat was cooked to perfection. One of the best treatments of tripe I have yet encountered. My partner had the daily special. First the asparagus soup followed by a Rotbarsch filet cooked still glassy accompanied my four large asparagus spears and some crunchy green beans. A very good herby mayonnaise accompanied. The asparagus was still a bit crunchy and sweet - the way very fresh white asparagus should be. All in all the meal was an absolute delight. The hallmark of a great chef is the ability to transform simple, fresh ingredients into something very special. Herr Weber excels at this.Service was very helpful, extremely friendly and efficient. If you are in the area it is worth a stop. Reservations are advised. You have to go to the restaurant to see the menu. Nothing on their basic web site. When I called to reserve I asked what was on the menu today and the terse reply was "fish" ;').