Its location at Bas de la piste des Suisses isn't as daunting as it looks, given the winter terrace of fur-trimmed ski bunnies in stilettos that flock to their billionaire boyfriends for post-slope nourishment in one of the mountains chicest dining rooms. A two-story chalet-inspire structure is surrounded in a massive deck with wide-open views of the Courchevel ski areas and French Alps. Inside a Swiss meets nautical décor expands into a charming lounge, main dining room that seats up to 300 skiers and new upper level Yacht Club where entrance is for member's and VIPs only. In the last years the restaurant has expanded to include a more casual pizzeria with to-go specialties as well as a snack area for liquor-laden cappuccinos on the fly. Not only a lunch scene, the restaurant is also a charming rendezvous for destination dinners although to get her in a snowstorm is a challenge even though the road is regularly cleared.
The Food
What is it about mountain dining that makes everything taste so incredibly good? Chef Eric Tournier does more than his part to turn out some of the best mountain ski cuisine you will ever enjoy with a multi-dimensional menu of brasserie style raw bar with grand plateaus of shrimp, lobster and crab claws. A separate sushi bar serves assortment of sashimi and cut rolls that fails to dazzle true Japanese connoisseurs. Returning to the French theme menu, appetizers of pan-fried foie gras with apples, smoked salmon on toast points and tomato tartare salads shows the real power of the kitchen followed by hefty plates of spaghetti Bolognese or lobster ravioli. Main course specialties include a fired white fish, spaghetti with chicken and truffles and roasted whole chicken.
Last Word
The terrace is best visited after 2pm as skier swap their boots and poles for platters of truffle pasta and bottle of Bordeaux and DJs pump out sultry French pop anthems till early evening.
