As next Thursday is Ascension Day I’m not going to be around next week. But don’t worry, i’ll be back the following Thursday, as normal. Last week i mentioned the second phase of the end of the lockdown and, of course, there are a few restaurants open in the city now. Now i’m not going to tell you to go out but we don’t have this virus licked just yet so if you are going to head out for some food please continue to observe the regulations on social distancing. Have a great weekend, enjoy your day off next Thursday and…

Give my love to the city

As you Ronsters well know, I am a massive fan of live music and a good gig is one of the things I have really missed the most over the past few months. As lockdown rules have eased slightly rockers paradise, Kater, are able to live stream a gig for you this Thursday evening. Open a beer and wave your cigarette lighter in the air as if they can see you.

Once again you can support the local community by doing a little bit of online shopping. #wecomebackstronger are printing hoodies (i’ve got mine,) with the proceeds going to people who are providing support in this time of crisis. Hit the support button for Zurich and you can choose who you support. Last week hoodie purchases helped buy 20 pizzas from Con Gusto for the Zurich emergency shelter. Buy some nice clothes and spread a bit of happiness.

Cycling is one of the few pleasure afforded in these times. Unless you form a peloton you’re pretty much isolated but the Urban Bike Festival are taking it one step further and taking cycling online. Their full program is here and, once again, the festival features a personal favourite of mine, Danny MacAskill, a legend in the mountain biking world. Check one of Danny’s video out here. Amazing!

It seems like ages since i’ve talked about a new pop up restaurant but here we are. «Soul Food by Aris» will be taking place in the evenings and on weekends in «Simply Soup,» at Kalkbreite. They promise delicious Caribbean food and, hooray, it’s vegan and guilt free. Well, it is if you stay careful and respect social distancing rules.

I am aware that not everyone can be as nice as me but some people are downright wicked. Grifters, con artists, call them what you will (i can’t publish what i call them,) they are active and often use housing as a method of getting people to part with their money. Now on Ron Orp i do my best to prevent fake and fraudulent housing ads slipping through the net but, on occasion one slips through. To help you through the shark infested waters of the Zurich rental market i came up with some tips to help you to identify your genuine dream apartment from a scam.

The Ron Orp kitchen has been in full swing again, this time trying to recreate a street food dish that i sampled in the south of France. Socca de Nice are delicious pancakes made from chickpea (i love chickpeas) dough and are eaten pure and unadorned in France. But it doesn’t have to be too French so i’ll show you a delicious variation with different toppings.