Chalet Hotel L'Eau Vive Restaurant sur Saint-Nicolas-La-Chapelle

An establishment that was recently taken over and revitalized by a great team of four friends who deserve to be known: On the restaurant/bar side: Cédric – the chef who has mastered the art of delighting our taste buds; Mathieu and Kevin – in the dining room; and Alexis – in the hotel department (I haven't experienced this aspect myself, but he's incredibly friendly and offers excellent wine advice by phone). Highlights: - Location: A charming mountain-style establishment with a warm atmosphere, in the heart of St Nicolas la Chapelle – a small, picturesque hilltop village, a stone's throw from Praz sur Arly. - The restaurant: Three rooms: the bar area, the après-ski area, and the garden room. Tastefully decorated without being overly formal. Kid-friendly and dogs are welcome. The menu apparently changes twice a year (one for winter and one for summer). In the kitchen: the chef has a real gift, possessing great creativity, with starters, main courses, and desserts that combine local specialties with a touch of exoticism, all blended together in his cooking for certain dishes. Our recommendations: Exceptional dishes in our opinion: the breaded poached egg meurette (simply divine!!! - one of their starters), then, in the local style, "tartiflette" (incredibly delicious), their "Croûte" (a must-try and perfect for "gratiné" lovers), the beef tongue in a spicy sauce (not too hot, but Mathieu or Kevin can add more spice for those with a fiery palate 😉). The fondue is best shared by two people, both Savoyard and classic. - The service: The staff is incredibly attentive from start to finish and offers excellent advice without being pushy, whether it's about the homemade aperitifs and cocktails, or the wine or other digestifs to brighten your palate ("always in moderation," of course! 🌟). The setting: elegant and very clean. The little extras: - The plant-filled dining room, which gives it a unique style and... a mountain atmosphere, which is even found in the... "The place where the king goes alone" - simple, clean, and spotless (see photos) - The water served at the table in a pitcher seems to come directly from the spring/fountain located right in front of the restaurant. Our experience: We had the opportunity to dine there twice (on the recommendation of the owner of another place worth visiting: La Ferme de Zecon - Flumet / a small mountain restaurant at the foot of the Evettes slopes - thank you Bernard, Guillaume, and Christophe for this great recommendation!) AND... we will return as soon as possible. THANK YOU Mathieu, Cédric, and Kevin for everything. We will gladly return. (A big hello from "Superman" and his team of Happy Trolls 🦸🏻‍♀️👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻)

Superb chalet with apartments in the charming village of Saint Nicolas la Chapelle, which has retained its authentic character. The apartments are quiet, well-maintained, and clean, and the welcome was very warm. Restaurants and a grocery store are located at the foot of the chalet. Besides downhill skiing, there are opportunities for winter hiking/snowshoeing, cross-country skiing 20 minutes away in Les Saisies, visits to villages, chapels, oratories, and street art.

Lunch only: the Sunday chicken and potatoes are amazing! Local produce and a warm welcome, it's a real treat!