Restaurant Memories is the newest restaurant at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland. The resort in Switzerland’s alpine region features a total of 7 restaurants and is known as one of the leading wellness resorts in Europe. The resort combines luxury and comfortable rooms with high class gastronomy and amazing spa & wellness facilities. For more information about this great hotel, please click here. Memories is the latest addition to the F&B facilities and is a place that evokes fond memories – as well as creating unforgettable new ones.

Concept & Interior

Memories is an oasis of comfort; a return to the origins of hospitality. A conscious haven of peace, which uncompromisingly unites quality, style and nature. The interior design embodies the core essence of the Memories cooking style. Raw materials are pure and straightforward. The use of wood and different stones reflect the tradition and the craftsmanship of the area. The beautiful, big wooden table dividers provide a special natural dynamism as well as privacy. It is a restaurant with light elements, strong lines and upscale comfort, which provides an intimate and ‘close to earth’ setting for your dining experience.

The eye-catcher in the restaurant is the fully open kitchen, which has a luxurious design. A special feature is that the kitchen is not completely encircled with a counter, but that one side remains open. There are two free-standing kitchen counters where the chefs put on the finishing touches per dish. An experience where the guests can watch all the action at front location.

The Chef

Top Swiss chef Sven Wassmer did not miss his start as chef. After training and working in several renowned restaurants, including the famous Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau, he became Head Chef of the 7132 Silver restaurant in Vals. Shortly after, he was named Gault&Millau Discovery of the Year and the highest entry ever with 17 points. This was followed with a first Michelin star and followed with the second one a year later. In addition, he received the award Rising Star of the Year and 18 Gault&Millau points for his exceptional cuisine the year before moving to the position of the culinary director of the famous Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz. In the opening year already, Restaurant Memories has been awarded with 18 Gault&Millau points and 2 Michelin stars. Wassmer surely is the culinary future in Switzerland.

Gastronomy

Innovation, seasonality and an appreciation of produce are the key components of Sven Wassmer’s philosophy. The peace and the unspoilt natural environment of Switzerland’s forests and mountains unlock a treasure of creativity in his mind. His cooking is therefore very stripped back and minimalist. The new Swiss alpine cuisine features a seasonal menu consisting of several surprise taste experiences. To help achieve this, Wassmer also uses traditional techniques such as fermentation, pickling and drying. Grilling also plays an important role. Because when it comes to food preparation, nothing is more primal than the power of fire, according to this unique chef.

The cuisine evokes memories of childhood discoveries, of the great outdoors, of a sense of wonder. But it also helps to make unknown connections and create new memories. The result is a treasure of happy moments, savoured in one evening and etched in the memory for ever. With the different signature tasting menus, Wassmer and his team combine Swiss produce with the best ingredients from around the world. Good examples are char from Val Lumnezia with burnt cream and fir. Or a delicious piece of pike perch from Lago Maggiore with salted lemon and fermented Jerusalem artichoke. Sven’s winter raclette was created as an homage to the Swiss raclette when he was working in London. Being a bit homesick, he created this dish to show his way of a refined raclette dish. Corne de Gatte mountain potatoes are confit in brown butter and served with Sbrinz & Gruyère cheese and, off course, Périgord truffle. Delicious!

Service And Wine

The ambiance at Memories is easy going and so is the service. The enthusiastic team explains dish per dish and often chefs leave the kitchen in order to join the servings at the table. Sven Wassmer’s wife and sommelière Amanda Wassmer Bulgin is in charge of the wine liaison at restaurant Memories. She splendidly complements the dishes of the restaurant and is in charge of the interesting wine cellar of the resort. Amanda, who has worked in some prestigious restaurants in Europe, is the wine director at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz and is also a lecturer for GastroSuisse, one of the leading Swiss educational bodies. Inspired by the close cooperation with local wine makers she sees herself as a researcher, constantly exploring new options.

Why Go

Looking for a memorable culinary experience? Then a visit to Memories is a must. Memories unites uncompromising product quality, style and purism. A place of culinary joy which returns to the origin of gastronomy. The new Swiss alpine cuisine of Sven Wassmer offers authentic fine dining dishes that are linked closely to nature. A tasting menu full of sensory impressions fused in such a way that the memory will always stay in your mind.

Written by Sven & Frank