Restaurants

There are so many restaurants in the resort but we have our favourites.
One of our self catered clients asked for a 7 day restaurant guide so we have come up with a pick of the best and devised three categories (high end & more expensive, mid range & reasonable, lower & cheap) to help you understand the pricing structure.
We then give you our choice for a 7-day stay to include:

• If money and feeding a family is not an issue
• Feeding a family

The recommendations & comments made are purely our opinion and based on dining at our expense and feedback from guests and friends. They are listed in alphabetical order.

High end & more expensive    

There are a few high-end restaurants in Val that have varied wine lists, discerning menus and good reputations. When we say they are ‘expensive’ we mean they are the more expensive restaurants in town but we don’t mean extortionate by any means! 

The Blizzard Hotel restaurant     
It is not often you think of using a hotel restaurant for dining out if you are a non-resident but this one welcomes anyone to their bar & dining room. The food is traditional using local products and creativity. Tables are furnished with fine wine glasses, thick table linens and flowers or candles. 
A reservation is a must. Tel: +33 (0)4 79 06 02 07.                  www.hotelblizzard.com features the menu throughout the season. It was hard for me to find so ensure you click on ‘Going through the hotel’ to get to the Restaurant prompt. 

The Mourra     
The new sister hotel and restaurant of the Blizzard, this is an exciting new venue for residents and non-residents to enjoy.   Out with Savoyarde fare and in with Japanese influenced cuisine.  Soft shell crab, octopus salad, black cod, panko prawns, mochi (yum) and plenty of delicious dishes..  Located at the top of town on the right hand side, it is well worth a visit.  It is fast becoming our favourite.  Expensive but worth it if you fancy a change from cheese!             Tel:  04 79 40 28 70.  They speak English. 

K2 Chogori Hotel, L'Altiplano Restaurant

The new kid on the block for this winter who enjoyed a test run this summer.  Located where the Hotel Moris & Pub used to be, the menu is Peruvian inspired with dishes designed for sharing.   Think fish ceviche and avocado, lomo saltado (a traditional dish using sauteed beef) and so much more.  We visited this summer and everything was delicious and beautifully presented.  Tel:  04 79 04 08 20.  They speak English. 
        
Hotel Barmes de L’Ours, Rotisserie     
The hotel restaurants are open to non-residents and we highly recommend the Rotisserie. They have lunchtime menus for skiers, and in the evening, a choice of regional specialities, menus and à la carte. They have a huge choice of starters; you choose your main course, huge choice of cheeses to help yourself to and the same with dessert. Their wine list is extensive and despite paying slightly more to eat here, we feel the standard of the food warrants it. We love it. See ‘Hotels’ section for details of the location. 

Le Miroir, ‘Chez Merie’     
This is a very special restaurant located in the tiny village of Miroir about 20mins drive out of town near Saint Foy. We call it le Miroir but its real name is ‘Chez Merie’. Its formula is very much like Chalet du Cret but prices are slightly cheaper (probably due to the out of town location). You walk through the tiny village to access the restaurant by passing the smallest Chapel in the world, the old farm houses that still have the animals in the same building as the residents and it's just the most quaint place we have ever come across. It is a restaurant based in the chalet belonging to ‘Merie’ and we always felt like we were eating in their dining room as it was so small and cosy and we always enter by the back door that takes you through the kitchen. However, last year they extended the restaurant by knocking a wall down and doubling the size. This has made it more commercial and we feel something has been lost in that but we still insist on at least one or two meals there in a season. Service is not the quickest but you are there to soak up the wonderful surroundings as much as eat so you don’t mind the wait.
Reservations are a must for this place so call +33 (0)4 79 06 90 16. We can give you directions if required. 

La Savoyarde     
This is another hotel restaurant that has a solid reputation amongst seasoned visitors. It has a Savoyarde charm as the hotel name suggests.  The head chef is a permanent fixture apparently so you are guaranteed great food, year after year. We don’t know much about the menu but we do know that locals rave about this place so it must be worthy of a visit.
Call for reservations on +33 (0)4 79 06 01 55. 
        
Table des Neige     
Until living and working in Val, I would never have thought to eat in a hotel restaurant but there seem to be so many good ones in Val and this one is no exception. Located in the Hotel Tsanteleina just by the tourist office, we became aware of its menu as we were asked to translate it from French to English. It was one of those menus with creative descriptions and flowery wording but we were left very impressed and pleasantly surprised.  They have a seafood night on Fridays that is buffet style with fresh and delicous fish of all shapes and sizes on offer.  Well worth a visit.  
Call for reservations on +33 (0)4 79 06 12 13. 

Matsuhisa  - another hotel restuarant, in the 5* Hotel Les Airelles on the nursery slopes. Delicious Japanese food , definitely one to visit and great for people watching Call for reservations +33 4 79 22 22 22

Lower end & cheap 

As we all know, skiing is not a cheap sport so if you are looking for a simple, inexpensive meal, we have included a few options for you. 
        
Roxy/Quicksilver cafe
This is a clothing shop and burger bar on the main street by the Hotel Kandahar. The formula has been a huge success and everyone enjoys the informal atmosphere and classic burger and chips on offer. You can either sit at the bar or at one of the cubicle tables and watch some extreme snowboarding on the big screen whilst eating. This is open early (for breakfast) until late at night. Reservations are not necessary. Tell 04 79 06 09 54

Flash Pizza     
The reason why we’ve included this is not only because they do a good pizza but because they also do a take away or home delivery service. It is not easy to find if you prefer to eat in the restaurant itself as it is down the alley between the Gallery des Cimes and the Canyon restaurant. You can call to make your order and pay on delivery or pick up making it an easy option to go for after a long, tiring day on the slopes.
Telephone +33 (0)4 79 41 96 06. 
        
Good traitors     
This isn’t the name of a restaurant just the collective French name for ready-made dishes and foodstuffs on offer in the supermarkets. We thought we would include this as you may not know that the supermarkets prepare & sell things like paella, roast chickens, salads, potato dishes and lots more. Not everyone fancies cooking or eating out after a tiring day so these items offer a handy alternative. We highly recommend the Casino supermarket just below Victors restaurant in the centre of town. All supermarkets will deliver to your home within working hours too.