While St.Gallen is not exactly on the same level as Zurich or Geneva for its expat community, there are still plenty of us in the area. You just need to know where to look!
Internations has started running regular meetings in the city and they seem to be gathering some steam. So, if you interested in meeting up, create an Internations account and register for the event. Next one is this Thursday.
Score: 6/10
Al Capone’s is a recent addition to St.Gallen and replaced the Italian restaurant Molino’s above the main buss top on Marktplatz. They still serve the regular mix of Italian dishes but have an extra steak section on the menu.
The beef is currently only from Switzerland and the US, but with pork steaks from Argentina. They could use a little more selection on the menu considering they are a steakhouse, but the food is fairly good.
The steaks are all served rare on a hot plate, allowing you to cook the meat further to your own taste. This is great for the novelty value, but could get a little annoying if you go regularly.
Biggest issue I had was the cost. CHF 50 for a 300g steak and one drink. The steak came with one side-dish. For a good, but not amazing meal, that’s a lot of money. With a more suitable price I would probably have given it a 7/10.
As far as steakhouse’s go, it is worth considering and it is good to have another central option, but it would come third in the list after Englers by the Olma and Lagerhaus by the police station.
The OFFA is very similar to the OLMA in October, but pretty much all about horses. It is even hosted at the same venue.
This is pretty good fun and maybe a bit more interesting for people with families as well as the event is more spread out in the surrounding streets. Not everything is related to horses, but most of it is. The event is from Tuesday until this Sunday and although you have missed most of the days now, the best is at the weekend. Here is a complete schedule for you. There is also a child friendly guide for people with small children.
Highlight: This year there is a 300 horse parade through the streets of St.Gallen on Saturday morning at 11am starting at Vadianstrasse (near the train station) to the OFFA.
Now, let’s be honest, this could all get a bit smelly, so for those of us who just want food and drink can enjoy the many interesting little huts lining the streets around the OFFA main event:
The beer stand can’t be avoided…
And there is even a shop to buy horse meat! (presumably for those horses who don’t last the full 6 day event…?)
And, of course, the traditional Swiss ‘Cornish Pasties’ shop…?
In honour of the strange sense of design that many locals here seem to have:
Happy April 1st!
Living in St.Gallen 