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l'Auberge de Verdoyant Restaurant Review

Lunch with a view and some tasty tucker too!

featured in Restaurant reviews Author Alice Gregr, Avoriaz Reporter Updated

Lac Montriond is spectacular in both winter and summer. In the colder months, the trees that surround it are dusted with snow and the surface of the water is completely frozen. In the summer, the water reflects the bright blue of the sky and the stunning green of the trees. No matter the season, Lac Montriond is a special place to visit.

There are several restaurants dotted around the shores of the lake, including the popular hall at the Morzine end which is now one of the most sought after wedding venues in the Portes du Soleil. There’s also Le Bout de Lac, which sits in the shadow of the Ardent waterfall.

The Auberge de Verdoyant is somewhere in between with a huge terrace that looks out across the water. We were driving past the lake after a morning on the slopes, it was sunny and the skies were blue. It felt like summer and we couldn’t help but stop at the Verdoyant, which looked magical in the sunlight.

Despite it being mid April and the day after a significant dump of snow, it was a really warm day. We decided that the terrace looked too inviting to ignore so we sat on a table outside overlooking the water. A few other people had also decided to do the same so we weren’t completely on our own, however it felt quiet. That was until I looked inside the restaurant and could see tables of people enjoying an afternoon meal. It seemed a really popular spot so we felt like we were in good hands.

The menu is traditionally French, with specialities you’d expect from this part of the world including plates of meat and plenty of cheese. It also has salads, fish dishes, meat options and a large selection of wines to choose from. The plat du jour is listed on the blackboard as you arrive at the restaurant, which helps to tempt you in. He’d already opted to give that a go so we didn’t have to look at the menu for long. The special of the day was roast chicken in rosemary gravy. It was served with potato gratin or chips and at 13€ was really reasonably priced. I went for a lighter salad (for a change!) because we were only supposed to be nipping in for a small bite to eat. I’m not sure that’s possible when eating at a restaurant in France!

The best thing about The Verdoyant is that it doesn’t matter how long you have to wait for your food. Sitting next to the lake is complete pleasure. I’ve been to the restaurant in the peak of summer and it can take a while for food to arrive because it is so busy. However, in such amazing surroundings, the time flies. Although, this time, we didn’t have to wait very long for our food at all. And I’m pleased to say, he was very happy with what he got!

The chicken dish arrived with a side salad, vegetables and a huge plate of cheesy gratin potato. Our idea of not eating too much flew out of the window! My small salad wasn’t small in the slightest either. I’m told the chicken leg was juicy and well cooked but the gravy seemed to be the star of the show. I’ve never heard him go on so much about one part of a meal before, it was that good. There was also a delicious parsnip jus on the side, which really added to the dish as well. I know this for a fact because I did a lot of sneaky sampling. The potato gratin was garlicky, crispy and full of flavour and my salad, which was dusted in a delicious dressing, was fresh and filling: two very happy customers.

Although the selection of ice creams were very tempting, especially as we sat by the water in the sun, we decided to just have one course this time. We settled the bill, which came to a very reasonable 26€. The other dishes on the menu are all priced from around 10€ up to the more expensive at 23€. There’s also a specific child’s menu, which explains why so many families visit the restaurant in the summer. It’s an ideal spot if you fancy spending the day at the lake and also treating yourselves to a nice meal out.

We had a lovely hour or two at The Verdoyant and couldn’t really believe that we were sitting less than a mile from hundreds of people enjoying the last snow of the season. It felt like we’d been transported to the summer! It gave us a feel of what’s to come over the next few months and we’re really excited to head back to the lake when the weather is even warmer. We’ll definitely head back to the restaurant as well and enjoy some of their wine, ice creams and bigger dishes. It’s a gem in one of the most idyllic spots in the PDS.

Location

Map of the surrounding area