Restaurants have Michelin stars in their eyes

Schauenstein, a hotel restaurant in canton Graubünden, has become the first eatery in German-speaking Switzerland to receive three Michelin stars.

The Swiss Michelin Guide, which is available in shops on Thursday, also promoted three restaurants to two-star status and named 14 new one-star eateries, allowing Switzerland to keep its status as the country with the most Michelin stars per capita.

Schauenstein, near the ski resort of Laax in the village of Fürstenau, is run by chef Andreas Caminada and charges SFr160 ($162) for a three-course meal, SFr220 for seven courses, with two additional surprise courses costing SFr55.

The total number of Swiss restaurants with three stars – the top ranking – remained at two, because Le Pont de Brent near Montreux was downgraded to two stars as its management changed, Michelin said.

The second Swiss three-star restaurant is run by Philippe Rochat in Crissier, canton Vaud.

The new two-star restaurants are Ecco in the Hotel Giardino in Ascona in Italian-speaking Switzerland, Homann’s Restaurant in Samnaun, canton Graubünden, and The Restaurant in the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich.