The town of St Urban offers an impressive monastery and beautiful guesthouse with an adjoining gourmet parlour, “Negral” - a hidden gem for culinary connoisseurs.

A Swiss cultural landmark, the St Urban Monastery is one of the most remarkable examples of Cistercian architecture. Right next to this historic site, from Tuesday to Sunday, host and Head Chef Pascal Schwarz with his team warmly welcome guests to the freshly renovated Klostergasthaus Löwen. With great passion, they serve traditional and high-quality dishes - ranging from classics to fusion cuisine. A food lovers paradise!

Top Chef, Open Kitchen
Although Maître Rôtisseur Pascal Schwarz is a top-level chef, the “Löwen” aims to be accessible to everyone. In the main dining room, he and his Head Chef Marcel Neuenschwander prepare fresh menus daily accompanied by homemade bread, soup or salad, and sweet surprises from the kitchen.

“We want to offer cool, classic cuisine at fair prices,” says Schwarz about his concept’s main focus, ie. the joy of food. Dishes range from Löwen bratwurst with Bern-style fries to hand-cut beef tartare or Cordon bleu made from local meadow pork. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for. Schwarz prioritizes sourcing from local producers, including his neighbours, Haas butcher shop and the monastery bakery.

Gourmet Stübli - “Come into the good parlour”
Dark wallpaper and elegant lighting in Gourmet Stübli “Negral” intentionally evoke a cozy feel. “I want my guests to feel like they’re sitting in my own home,” says Schwarz. Just like a private dinner, the menu is often a surprise. “Guests choose the number of courses. I surprise them with a culinary pampering experience.” This approach earned Pascal 16 points from Gault Millau in which he has been named Chef of the Month. The name “Negral” is a playful combination of the Spanish word for “black” (“negro”) and the ending of his first name.

Modern guesthouse with a cosy garden terrace
Since taking over the Klostergasthaus, Pascal has completely renovated it. Modernized for today’s restaurant standards whilst respecting its history. The old cherry wood buffet and traditional community table remain. The kitchen features state-of-the-art equipment. The vaulted cellar transformed into a cigar lounge next to the wine cellar. In summer, guests are drawn to the charming garden terrace, offering views of the venerable St Urban Monastery.

About the new host
Pascal Schwarz, 35, hails from Pieterlen near Biel. After training as a Chef at Hotel-Restaurant Worberbad, he gained experience under renowned Chef Werner Rothen (Restaurant Schöngrün, Bern). Limpach’s in Aetingen (SO) and at Schlosserei Genussfabrik in Olten followed. Before taking over Klostergasthaus Löwen, Pascal led Patoro Cigar Club’s culinary operations in Olten for six years. His culinary achievements in competitions include sharing victory at “La Cuisine des Jeunes”, winning best commis at “Der Goldene Koch”, and earning silver at the Swiss Culinary Cup.

Jean Claude Schmocker
Bailli of Argovie

Klostergasthaus Löwen
PS Gastro AG
Untertor 3
4915 St Urban

Web: www.klostergasthaus-loewen.ch
Tel: +41 62 530 34 22