I like this!

The best wine recommendation I ever got (back in the UK)

Me: I'd like a glass of this Tempranillo (yummi Spanish red)
Waiter: We have got another one for an additional 50p.
Me: What's the difference?
Waiter: It's easier to drink

For me the top roof top eatery in Zurich is Haute. http://haute.ch/

Only snag is that you need to be a member, and I believe there is a pretty long waiting list.

I've just been to the Prime Tower. Not the restaurant bit but the bar.

My first impression is staff everywhere- Two girls down at the door to greet you and somebody at every turning on the way up to tell you where to go. Virtually all of them blonde German girls. Very polite and well spoken. But matching the architecture, very strict and serious.

Then the bar itself. Again there appeared to be more of these blondes everywhere, more than customers almost, and the male staff were more Southern looking types, maybe so the female guests have something to please their tastes as well. The bar was surprisingly well stocked with more than the usual generic poshnosh stuff you expect to find in bars that pretend to have style, and the waitress was extremely knowledgeable as well. The price admittedly was on the expensive side but I've been charged more for less so won't complain.

The view really is stupendous, with the view looking west into the Limmat valley. I guess the restaurant must look the other way towards central Zürich. Plenty of activity to watch with the trains passing on all the different lines and going over and under in the hugely complex junctions. The only other place you can get train activity like that is maybe some spots in South London. But Singapore and Chicago are definitely provincial nests train-wise. And then of course there's all the building activity going on between there and Altstetten, the Letzigrund stadium and all the other stuff that lights up at night.

I went to the bar (there are 2, a lounge area with many tables facing south toward the lake/HB , and a smaller clubby bar with a smoking area facing the other side of the building) this past Saturday. I found the entrance difficult to find as there are no signs (it is in the courtyard). Once inside the employees were quite helpful. The funny thing I noticed was there were many many children, I guess its still considered a tourist spot despite the fact that its a bar. The place was very full at 4 pm and even fuller when we left at around 6 pm. the view is fabulous as it was a very gray ugly day and we still enjoyed it. The waiters were over run so you had to exercise patience, but I would def go back again. The dining room looked beautiful but we didnt eat there so I have no comment on it but would also like to try that as well at some point. Upon leaving there was a line to get in downstairs , almost like a movie line or something...bit weird, i guess the swiss have never been to a high rise...worth a look all in all though

Iv'e been to Clouds twice and in my opinion it is one of the fairest priced restaurants in Zürich. Especially considering it's so difficult to get a table. (About 100 people lining up on Sunday afternoon) They could easily charge more. Also great concept and design, good food and good service. Finally a cool place to go in Zürich that's with the times.

I have a table booked in Clouds restaurant in February, day before Valentines day as I couldn't get a table on the day itself! I heard from a friend yesterday that it is apparently 25 and over. Does anybody know if this is true? I am 23 but when I reserved there was no mention of this or perhaps I overlooked something. If anyone has any info on this it would be a great help, if it's true I don't know whether to call and explain or to try and just go anyway!

I didn't see too many 'young' people, but I'd be surprised if they had an age limit.

So, the food: standard Swiss 4* fayre, ie, nothing on the menu to get you excited, but they don't claim to be international. (The Swiss restaurant market isn't demanding). All in well cooked, presented and tasting, but there's more than a hint of "If it wasn't for the view..."

And can someone tell the waiters that being interrupted every 12.3 seconds gets tiresome. I can pour my own water, ta.

Even on a cloudy day it's very nice to see the city from a new angle. Chops were decent, too.

It seems to be a new rule since last week. I read about it somewhere but I can't find it online right now. AFAIR it only applies to the bar and the lounge in the evening, so if you have a reservation for a table at the restaurant you should be fine, but it's probably a good idea to call and ask.

EDIT: I just found these two articles (in German) on blick.ch:
article 1 (age limit 25 for Bistro and Lounge from 6:30 at night, restaurant is not mentioned)
article 2 (some comments from some young(ish) politicians)

Hilarious comment on the second link from some fearful soul:

"Entweder gibt es keine Beizen mehr, oder es ist schlicht zu gefährlich, als Mann oder Frau in solche Regionen zu gehen, oder die Gastronomie wird ausschliesslich von Ausländern betrieben, was ein Schweizer,der nur ein Zürigschnätzlets will, nicht mag."

speedy translation:
"Either there's no place to go or it's too dangerous either as a Man or Woman to enter such places, or the place is run by foreigners, which a Swiss person won't like if they only want Zürigschnätzlets."

The Foreigners! The Young People! Run for the hills!!! We want Zürigschnätzlets! When do we want them? NOW!*

*See previous post re. restaurant menus...

There are other "high rises" in Switzerland and around, and many Swiss have been to high-rises abroad, BUT THIS is the highest building in Switzerland Basel actually was in front but cancelled the project there when the finance crisis started but Zurich went ahead ! Eviva Turicum

I just don't like the interieur.. The bar downstairs (hotel rivington and sons) is so much nicer, although you can't really eat propperly but the rotbeef sandwich is amazing!!! I just love the attention to detail.

I have been to the restaurant last week. It is pretty small but nice decorated. The staff are very nice and the service is good (well at least for me - not an expert).

Food was also really good and tasty. The price for menu is starting from 90 (3 course) going up to 155 (6 course). Single main dishes are around 60-70.

I had a look at the bistro bar and the lounge and I found them nicer (a little darker and one can see out much better). Pretty cool for a night out.

Overall, I think of it as a good place to celebrate special events. But not somewhere I would dine out regularly.

So I recently found myself in Zurich with nothing much to do and thought, why not head to the Clouds and give them peoples back on the EF a proper review on how things really are up in the clouds. (corny, yeah I know ).

As I previously stated on this thread, my beef with this place is its location as it's not Ny...blablabla I don't want to repeat myself and thus, I jump right to the review.
I have yet to experience better service in Switzerland. The bar side was comfy and staff were very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. I went in the afternoon, which didn't seem too crowded but I can imagine, how the gel hair crowd just flocks to the venue once it gets dark. Prices were up to ZH standards and as somebody else mentioned earlier, you have paid more for less elsewhere in Switzerland before. I will give this place 3 out of 5 LIB stars as the "wow effect" wasn't really there but I will certainly hold Clouds as a feasible option, for when I'm in the area and feel like taking a load off.

Another thing that bothered me a little, was kids. There were ample parents there with their toddlers, which kind of messed with my mode and downgraded the ambience a little.