Cheese, aprés ski in the Alps of Verbier
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Mina Erçel
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 20, 2009 00:00
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND - Situated in a wide sunny area above the Rhine Valley, with breathtaking views of the mountains, there is a true alpine charm. As the season comes to an end, pine trees extend around the resort, which, after fresh snowfall, give an entrancing winter wonderland touch to this attractive resort.
Dining in Verbier, regardless of the eating location, is pure bliss with the majority of restaurants offering regional cheese fondue and raclette. The below is a list of traditional and more fashionable places for aprés ski and evenings:
La Grange: Best Raclette in town
Located on the main road to the town center is a lovely and friendly, smoke-free restaurant managed by Thierry Corthay, member of the "Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe Suisse" (Swiss Young Restaurateurs). Do not be fooled by the cuteness and modesty, as this institution has a Michelin star and Gault Millau rated it as one of south Switzerland’s top eateries. The highlight here is no doubt La Grange’s raclette. The round raclette cheese is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto the diners' plates; the term raclette comes from the French word racler, meaning "to scrape." Other traditional dining choices include the dried beef or the open grill emicé de veau (veal) with curry, or the liver páté with plum sauce. The fresh fish catch of the day is also highly suggested. The wine list includes an excellent selection focusing on local vintages. Booking in advance is a must! (Tel: +41-27-771-6431 )
Cutting edge hotel but uninspired cuisines
Opened in 2007 with a slick interior and happening bar scene, Neva? Hotel is considered the "hot newcomer to Verbier." Now, thanks to its world-famous architect Yasmine Mahmoudieh, the hotel is one of Verbier’s famous landmarks. Needless to say, the bar and lounge area and design are much more impressive than the cuisines at the Nevai Restaurant. The dining area presents cuisine with an Asian twist and flavor but lacks zest.
The Ceviche is rather unsavory and bland, while the tuna steak is dry and overcooked. A favorable dish is the beef tartare seasoned with sesame and soy sauce. But better to just visit the bar and sip a cocktail.
Le Table d'Adrien Inside the Chalet D’ Adrian
When one is sick and tired of the cheese fondues and raclette in Verbier, the Italian restaurant, Le Table d'Adrien is the place to hit. Situated inside the five-star Chalet d'Adrien Hotel, the restaurants’ chef Marco Bassi was awarded a Michelin star in 2008. Le Table d'Adrien’s shifting menu is small yet exciting. From the service to the presentation of the dishes to the quality of food, everything is exceptional. One note is the amount of sauces and mousse used in the cuisines (typical of French gastronomy). From the richness of the aroma and sauce, one is at times unable to distinguish between a piece of meat, pasta or vegetable. (Tel: + 41 (0)27 77162 00)
FRENCH ASIAN FUSION
Located inside the King's Parc Hotel, King’s Restaurant also offers French Asian fusion food - an appreciated change to the characteristic mountain cuisine. Yet one should not expect a fusion or Asian interior as Kings’ design has a traditional Swiss mountain atmosphere with wood paneling, a roaring fireplace and large tables. Still, the food is surprisingly delicious. From the menu, noteworthy starters include the blue marlin sashimi with watermelons, salsa, watercress and limes as zesty nice substitute for the usual options. Also for seafood, seared scallops with saffron roots, sugar-snaps and grilled butternut squash with sea-urchin bisque was a personal favorite. An extensive wine list from around the world is available.
(Tel: + 00 41 27 775 20 35)
Apres ski calls ladies
The proportion of male to female is five to one in Verbier; upon entering a bar or lounge the number of good looking, sportive, European men is mind boggling. Furthermore, the aprés ski in Verbier is hard to beat. In the town center, the Farinet is the place for live music. Skiers may even actually stomp on the bar in ski boots. A calmer atmosphere can be found inside to the Farinet’s lounge bar or in the sunshine next door at the Central T Bar. A few nightclubs are open until 4 a.m. The rich and famous head to King’s Bar, the Farm Club or the Coco Club. Get your high heels on and hit the aprés ski nightlife ladies!
La Grange: Best Raclette in town
Located on the main road to the town center is a lovely and friendly, smoke-free restaurant managed by Thierry Corthay, member of the "Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe Suisse" (Swiss Young Restaurateurs). Do not be fooled by the cuteness and modesty, as this institution has a Michelin star and Gault Millau rated it as one of south Switzerland’s top eateries. The highlight here is no doubt La Grange’s raclette. The round raclette cheese is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto the diners' plates; the term raclette comes from the French word racler, meaning "to scrape." Other traditional dining choices include the dried beef or the open grill emicé de veau (veal) with curry, or the liver páté with plum sauce. The fresh fish catch of the day is also highly suggested. The wine list includes an excellent selection focusing on local vintages. Booking in advance is a must! (Tel: +41-27-771-6431 )
Cutting edge hotel but uninspired cuisines
Opened in 2007 with a slick interior and happening bar scene, Neva? Hotel is considered the "hot newcomer to Verbier." Now, thanks to its world-famous architect Yasmine Mahmoudieh, the hotel is one of Verbier’s famous landmarks. Needless to say, the bar and lounge area and design are much more impressive than the cuisines at the Nevai Restaurant. The dining area presents cuisine with an Asian twist and flavor but lacks zest.
The Ceviche is rather unsavory and bland, while the tuna steak is dry and overcooked. A favorable dish is the beef tartare seasoned with sesame and soy sauce. But better to just visit the bar and sip a cocktail.
Le Table d'Adrien Inside the Chalet D’ Adrian
When one is sick and tired of the cheese fondues and raclette in Verbier, the Italian restaurant, Le Table d'Adrien is the place to hit. Situated inside the five-star Chalet d'Adrien Hotel, the restaurants’ chef Marco Bassi was awarded a Michelin star in 2008. Le Table d'Adrien’s shifting menu is small yet exciting. From the service to the presentation of the dishes to the quality of food, everything is exceptional. One note is the amount of sauces and mousse used in the cuisines (typical of French gastronomy). From the richness of the aroma and sauce, one is at times unable to distinguish between a piece of meat, pasta or vegetable. (Tel: + 41 (0)27 77162 00)
FRENCH ASIAN FUSION
Located inside the King's Parc Hotel, King’s Restaurant also offers French Asian fusion food - an appreciated change to the characteristic mountain cuisine. Yet one should not expect a fusion or Asian interior as Kings’ design has a traditional Swiss mountain atmosphere with wood paneling, a roaring fireplace and large tables. Still, the food is surprisingly delicious. From the menu, noteworthy starters include the blue marlin sashimi with watermelons, salsa, watercress and limes as zesty nice substitute for the usual options. Also for seafood, seared scallops with saffron roots, sugar-snaps and grilled butternut squash with sea-urchin bisque was a personal favorite. An extensive wine list from around the world is available.
(Tel: + 00 41 27 775 20 35)
Apres ski calls ladies
The proportion of male to female is five to one in Verbier; upon entering a bar or lounge the number of good looking, sportive, European men is mind boggling. Furthermore, the aprés ski in Verbier is hard to beat. In the town center, the Farinet is the place for live music. Skiers may even actually stomp on the bar in ski boots. A calmer atmosphere can be found inside to the Farinet’s lounge bar or in the sunshine next door at the Central T Bar. A few nightclubs are open until 4 a.m. The rich and famous head to King’s Bar, the Farm Club or the Coco Club. Get your high heels on and hit the aprés ski nightlife ladies!