Did you know Albert Einstein carried a Swiss passport for a while? This and other Swiss trivia will be cooking on the front burner Monday and Tuesday at Brigit & Bernard's Garden Cafe in Kahului.
That's because the owner chef, Bernard Weber, was born and raised in Zurich and Da Vos. This year marks 720 years of Swiss independence from the Germans, and Weber wants to par-tay.
"They make good beer and I'll give them that," he says. "So we serve cold German and Czech brews. We will also have an all-you-can-eat Swiss buffet Monday and Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m."
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You may order the bratwurst platter with crisp roesti potatoes, pickles, sauerkraut and rye bread or go for the whole nine yards and dive into the all-you-can-eat Swiss buffet. Desserts and drinks are extra and the Village Musicians will play traditional tunes.
JOE D’ALESSANDRO photo
The restaurant will be decorated with traditional Swiss flags and memorabilia; the Village Musicians will play lively tunes with tuba, clarinet, accordion and drums; and a jodel contest will take place.
"The customers who appreciate good music will be happy to hear that I will not participate in either of these activities, but rather focus on the meals you will enjoy and the trivia that will be handed out," says Weber.
"Swiss trivia is always fun to play and you can win free lunches, dinners and tickets for our Oktoberfest celebration, held Fridays and Saturdays that month. This year's trivia game will include questions about the Swiss franc, Swissair, and your Swiss Bank account. But I just need your account number."
The buffet will be plentiful and include a buendner platte with air-cured beef, prosciutto, salami, Swiss cheeses and all of the garnishes.
Other highlights include risotto Ticinese with a variety of mushrooms, a dish that comes from the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland; creamy carrot soup that is usually eaten at fairs and big parties; and aelpler chnoepfli, Swiss lasagne created by alpine cowboys.
Gapuns are Swiss-chard dumplings. Raclette is traditional melted cheese served with boiled potatoes and rye bread as well as pickled onions and cornichons. Chicken zueri is roasted in creamy mushrooms sauce; and bratwurst will come in veal and pork varieties.
The buffet is $35 per person. Raclette only or bratwurst platter are $17.50 each.
For an extra charge, you may buy desserts such as fruit tarts and Swiss chocolate mousse as well as Kafi Schneehas, a popular hot drink. Call 877-6000.
