I spent 30 years looking for the best French Onion Soup in the world. Well I finally found it in Zurich at Mère Catherine.
I should of course explain the search and the experiences that took me on this journey.
I first tried French Onion Soup in France around 1980.
It tasted fantastic.
What is French Onion Soup made from?
French onion soup is a classic dish built around a small set of foundational ingredients:
Onions – typically yellow onions, slowly caramelised to develop deep sweetness and colour.
Butter and/or oil – for sautéing the onions.
Beef stock (or broth) – the traditional base, providing richness and depth.
White wine or sherry – used to deglaze the pot and add acidity and complexity.
Aromatics and seasonings – usually garlic, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Bread – toasted baguette slices placed on top of the soup.
Cheese – most commonly Gruyère, melted over the bread and browned under a broiler.
The defining elements are the caramelised onions, the savoury clarified beef-based broth.
One persons Opinions are not true for Everyone?
It is fair to say everyone is entitled to their opinion, however not every opinion is worth listening to.
Everything comes down to personal taste and the commonly misused phrase
The customer is always right
often misses off the qualifier statement of
in matters of taste
or rather
The customer is alway right in matters of taste
What this statement actually means that if the customer likes garbage that’s up to them.
It has never meant they either know what they are talking about or that they are right.
But if you like weak broth, covered in cheese grease these pictures are for you.
What makes French Onion Soup the Best?
It starts with a clarity of the soup. The soup should be clear not murky.
The taste of beef should be balanced with taste of onions.
Small pieces of onion should be present.
Cheese should not be the taste of the soup nor melted cheese grease fill up the bowl.
Since this soup is not a pasta dish it should not be welded shut with burnt cheese.
The addition of a bread crouton with cheese should be optional.
Mère Catherine makes soup that make you think they care about the quality of the food they make.
Details
Nägelihof 3, Zürich, CH 8001
Booking
Online | By phone | In person
In winter yes | In summer walk-in possible