Chamonix soft openning


The Taittinger (champagne) family open the Mont Blanc hotel, which they bought a couple of years ago and which has been under refurbishment for 2 years.
Difficult to fine a better location, it is right in the center of Chamonix. I find the outside swimming pool very depressing, however, I like what they did with the rest,  it is a mix of classical and modern design.
The main part of the interior design is the light, for example in the restaurant the light are so big they become the most important furniture and pieces of decoration. Beside the nice overall packaging  it is a bit amateurish. The flowers arrangement are ridiculous.
I was very very exited to go there for the first night. I was expecting a chic and delicious new place. I find an restaurant hotel with a not interesting menu. I did not really know what to order and than I was very disappointed. The cuisine is to complicated and to sophisticated. The chef even try to revisited the local dish "cheese fondue". The wine list is unaffordable! They even forget to bring the cheese which was included in the menu. So no we will not comeback!



Café de Balme, Magland, after a 20 minutes drive from Chamonix in the Arve valley you will discover a traditional yellow family house dedicated to the kitchen and home furniture. You will find high quality kitchen accessories, La Cornue and Aga cookers and some very interesting Italian furnitures. The center of the place is a kitchen where they serve for lunch only, a comfort 3 courses French menu, with a choice of 3 starters, 3 main course and 3 deserts.

Cooking classes on Saturday.