Our other favourite restaurants in PDS
February 5, 2019 | By Admin
Written by Neil English and with thanks to Consensio
When it comes to traditional alpine fayre, choice is abundant in this 650 kilometer network of pistes and lifts. Picking favourites is always subjective, but for location and fame alone – the Défago family restaurant above the Swiss village of Val d'Illiez ranks high. Richard might generously concur that the Ü Yeü tsalé 1808 (aka vieux chalet) tops even Cookie for the best
view of the Dents du Midi – the captivating massif comprising seven summits soaring above 3,200 metres. And Didier Défago, from neighbouring Morgins, carved his name deep into the ski world of fame, when he won Gold in the blue riband Mens' Donwhill race at Vancouver's Winter Olympics in 2010. Such was the local euphoria, lift company bosses christened a slope in his honour. Didier is on record as saying: “Undoubtedly one of the best slopes in Morgins, 2kms long with a very steep start. The slope runs from the top of the Point de l'Au chairlift down towards Morgins in a beautiful valley, previously accessible to off-piste skiers only.” A blue detour is also available.
The attractive hameau of Les Lindarets (aka the goat village) on the French side, featureshouses a cluster of restaurants and bars housed in chalets and mazots. It's always busy here on a sunny day, so wise to book if you have a preference. I was recently highly impressed at La Crémaillère on Route de Lindarets where I found one of my favourite dishes, Tournedos Rossini (beef fillet topped with slab of pan-fried foie gras and unctuous jus) as the Plat du Jour for 24 Euros. It was a heavenly steal.
Over the Col de Bassachaux there's another trove of restaurants at Plaine Dranse in the Chatel sector, but for super typical Savoyard dishes with cheese from his own cows, it's difficult to beat the trés bijoux pit stop of Chez Denis.
La Vaffieu at the top of the Folliets chairlift above Les Gets is another gem, albeit closer to fine dining than traditonaltraditional with its specialitiesspecialties of rack of lamb, scallops, oysters and be sure to save room for the house 'café gourmand' – an expresso served with 'mignardises' (delicious desserts in canapé form).
WhileBut then, if skiing around this Morzine/Les Gets area, irresistible barbecue aromas might entice you down the blue Varosses piste. Here you'll find giant gambas, marinated chicken and juicy steaks grilling on the terrace of La Paika restaurant. La Paika's views and hot chocolate are a local talking point - while the dessert buffet has the dual capacity to make eyes bulge and tastebudstaste buds dance. It's also possible to walk here (or snowshoe depending on conditions), from Les Gets.
Bon ski et bon appetit!