Tosca — Restaurant in Geneva

I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the restaurant Tosca in Eaux-Vives neighborhood, Geneva, Switzerland.

The restaurant had just reopened following some interior renovations, particularly in terms of its decoration. The dining room was stunning — the original barococo elements had been preserved, with a majestic grand piano at the center and gallery-worthy artwork beautifully hung on the walls.

We were also fortunate to have a pianist perform live that evening, with a repertoire ranging from classical to jazz, pop, and rock — adding an incredible touch of elegance and emotion to the night.

The service throughout the evening was warm and attentive. Even the menu set the tone for what was to follow: it opened with elegant illustrations and thoughtful explanations of the restaurant’s origins, its ties to opera and Tuscany, and was richly adorned with photos from across Italy — especially Lombardy. As a photographer, it was a true visual treat.

We began with a few amuse-bouches — not the most memorable part of the meal in terms of flavor, but still a thoughtful and pleasant start. The sturgeon carpaccio, marinated and hay-smoked, was a highlight: beautifully plated, perfectly seasoned, and a joy to eat.

Then came the Ravioli del Plin, filled with guinea fowl and topped with a 36-month aged parmesan and a deeply flavorful salmì sauce. This was the standout dish of the night — rich, balanced, and unforgettable. It’s clearly a signature dish, and rightfully so, having remained on the menu even after the recent relaunch.

Next, we tried the medium paccheri with seafood, accompanied by a sea-water-infused verbena. The shrimp were perfectly cooked with a slight natural sweetness. The pasta was perhaps just a touch too al dente for my taste, but still excellent overall.

The main course was a steamed wild turbot filet, served with zucchini and zucchini flowers and a red wine jus. The fish was delicately cooked, pearly and tender — a testament to the chef’s respect for top-quality ingredients.

Although several desserts on the menu caught our eye, my friend asked the chef — who had personally visited tables to chat with guests, which we truly appreciated — if he could prepare a tiramisu, even though it wasn’t listed. To our delight, he kindly agreed, and the result was delicious. We even managed to get a photo with the chef, a gracious and talented host.

In the end, the overall value for such a refined experience was excellent. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a sophisticated and memorable Italian meal in a...

Normally I would have given this restaurant top ratings, but unfortunately the chef (probably unknowingly) served us some rotten duck meat as part of the tasting “menu de plaisir”. The experience was awful...after eating one bite of the wild duck, my husband ran to the men’s room and vomited violently. The entire restaurant heard him so it was quite embarrassing (note to the restaurant to better sound-proof their restrooms). I was lucky not to have eaten any of the rotten parts of my duck, but there was an unmistakable stench of rotting meat emanating from our plates so we sent both portions back. Once my husband returned to the table, the chef did come to see us to apologize but he insisted that it was normal for wild game meat to have a strong flavor. My husband explained that he hunts and is very familiar with wild game and how it should taste but the duck that was served had clearly gone bad. We were served an alternative course of fish instead and it was fine, although our experience was already marred. To make things worse, we felt bad that the chef was implying that there was something wrong with our taste rather than something wrong with the meat, and the restaurant made no gesture when the bill came...we still paid full price. In any other reputable restaurant probably outside of Switzerland, the meal would have been offered gratis with the hope that the customer doesn’t spread an awful review or worse, fall sick with food poisoning. But no, here you get a helping of rotten meat, a half assed apology from the chef himself, and a full check for a nightmarish meal. Suffice to say that we won’t be coming back...

From the moment we stepped inside, the ambiance hinted at the extraordinary evening ahead. Opting for the four-course menu was a decision that rewarded us with a culinary journey unlike any other. Each dish was a masterpiece, beautifully presented and bursting with flavors that spoke volumes of the chef's prowess and attention to detail.

The champagne, a recommendation by our attentive server, was nothing short of lovely. It perfectly complemented every course, enhancing the dining experience with its crisp and refreshing taste. Speaking of the service, it was exceptional from start to finish. The staff was not only professional but also genuinely warm, making us feel welcomed and well-cared for throughout our meal.

Adding to the ambiance was the piano guy, whose beautiful renditions added a layer of sophistication and enjoyment to our celebration. His talent was evident as he played, creating a backdrop of melodies that perfectly matched the mood of...