Where to Ski And Snowboard - Michelin award for Chamonix restaurant

Michelin award for Chamonix restaurant

17th February 2011, by Chris Gill

Chamonix valley from Les Houches [(c) C Gill]

A restaurant opening in Chamonix last winter has just been awarded a ‘Bib Gourmand’ by Michelin for its innovative and good value meals.

The Café de l’Arve opened in 2010, as part of the Hotel de l’Arve – just north of the resort centre and close to the river and Alpina hotel. Run by two talented young chefs, Mickey Bourdillat and Julien Binet, the concept is to provide wonderfully creative meals from locally sourced produce in the Mont Blanc region, such as the fish caught in Lake Léman or Lake Geneva. This also includes products from the bordering Italian and Swiss Valais regions.

A typical menu of the month might include filet of fera from Lake Geneva, veal from the Rhône Alpes, or Reblochon cheese dishes. And main courses cost from 13-25 euro. The restaurant also offers several menu choices, from two courses to a full Three Vallay menu. There’s also a good list of local wines to try.

A tip from online feedback is to have lunch there too, when the best value deal is a main meal and dessert for 15 euros.

The restaurant has a very funky, contemporary design and is open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday and Monday evenings. Café de l’Arve is also reported to be the Haute-Savoie’s only restaurant to have been awarded a ‘‘Bib Gourmand’ this season.

We can’t wait to try it …