MOO Bar & Cuisine to open this weekend

MOÖ Bar & Cuisine is the new venue on Avenue Michel Croz that is set to open its doors this Saturday night. Located right by the train station in what used to be Tigre Tigre Indian restaurant, it aims to settle in alongside long-time favourites and new neighbours Chambre Neuf and Elevation. We spoke to co-owners Oscar and Örjan to find out what they have in store for us this winter.

Firstly, the name! MOÖ is a collaboration between 3 Scandinavian friends who have been collectively living and partying in Chamonix for more years than most of us have been legally drinking for - Morten, Oscar and Örjan. Between them they have worked hard and played harder in some of Chamonix's most popular bars and restaurants, getting to know the town and the people inside out (most people will recognise Örjan for his friendly grin behind the bar at Chambre Neuf). Their approach to MOÖ Bar is that it will be a true locals hang-out; open year-round, offering great quality food and drinks at reasonable prices and staffed by a friendly team of familiar faces who will make you feel welcome whether you're popping in for a morning coffee or booking a table for a slap-up meal.

Heading up the kitchen will be Sanna Jansson (formerly of MBC and Kitsch Inn) and John Wallen, all the way from the award winning Aquavit restaurant in New York. They will be tempting us with 2 daily plat du jour dishes, one meat and one fish, as well as a vegetarian option, alongside a regular menu of hearty home-cooked food. They'll be using fresh local produce as often as possible, with much of their ingredients coming straight from our local Saturday morning market. Lunches and evening meals will be served at the table, or you can order snacks at the bar such as ribs, nachos, etc - their gourmet burgers served with home made bread buns sound particularly tasty! The aim is to serve simple high quality food at a good price - in Oscar's own words "nothing fancy-pantsy".

The same philosophy goes for the drinks - good quality beers, wine, cocktails and long drinks that will be priced within the range of your average punter rather than that of a Russian oligarch (although they are welcome too). There is no gimmicky theme to MOÖ Bar - just that everyone is welcome at any time, whatever you're wearing, as long as you're up for a good time.

Rather than have a regular house band the guys are keen to mix it up with different sounds throughout the season, and Chamonix has plenty of great musicians and DJs to choose from. They'll also be welcoming back guest bands such as The Balboas for special nights throughout the winter, keep an eye on the Chamonet.com events page for upcoming gigs.

You're all invited to come and check it out yourselves when MOÖ Bar & Cuisine opens this Saturday with live music, free bar snacks and a warm welcome from Morten, Oscar and Örjan - see you there!