Chamonix Apres Ski Report: 23rd February 2007
You will all be glad to hear that I am now over my sensible phase and am back in the après ski zone! Last week it was fantastic to be up on the mountain being active, but by far the best thing that came out of my new regime was it made me realise just how much I love partying, so I have been all over the night life like a rash this week making up for lost time.
As promised last week I have branched out from my regular haunts and have been on the look out for a hidden treasure in Chamonix, I was not disappointed by what I found. One of the first bars you come to on the Rue des Moulins is Le Privilege , which I newly discovered on Tuesday. An interesting mix.... French-run; this is one of Chamonix's chicest bars; the interior is a mixture of local wood and African furnishings with an ultra-modern looking glass bar and brightly lit drinks shelves. Behind the same bar are usually a few of Chamonix's modelesque barmaids, which makes a visit very easy on the eye. Of course there is a wide selection of drinks to choose from including, appropriately for the location, a decent champagne fridge. Le Privilege does tend to attract a slightly more mature crowd (read 30 somethings!!), especially those who are a little more affluent or looking to spend a bit more cash on a night out. However, your investment does go quite a long way here, as there are regular live sets playing, either acoustic duos or house DJs who actually get one of the best atmospheres in town going. And for those feeling the strain of a hard day's mountain activity and are not quite up to actually dancing there is an abundance of comfortable seating to make a relaxing time of the evening.
Although I have mentioned The Clubhouse in previous reports I felt like there was still much more to see and so returned Tuesday to see what was on offer. Tuesday is often the busiest night when they fire up their ‘Steak & Lobster Snow BBQ' char-grilled and bursting with Asian flavours from teriyaki steak to Thai-spiced poulet noir (25€). We had a brilliant meal and after not a lot of persuasion sampled the delights of the well stocked bar. The atmosphere was very personal with a very effective chilled out but affluent ambience. Needless to say the clientele here are not drinking pitchers like they are going out of fashion or hunting the best happy hour deal for sambucca. The whole experience was very civilised and a much welcomed change of scenery. Wednesdays are the best value when for 18€ you get three courses of our Big Bowl menu – a changing range of some ‘hot pot' classics from Thai Green Curry with coriander rice to Shepherd's Pie with savoy cabbage. On Sundays they do a great hot breakfast spread at their Breakfast Club from 8am until noon as well as a fantastic roast (served from 5-9pm).
Wednesday night I headed to the Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (more commonly known as the 'MBC'), which is a totally original hang-out for Chamonix. Run by four Canadians with a passion for beer who wanted to do something completely different, we went along to sample their highly regarded and naturally produced real ales and lagers. What was meant to be a pit stop to start the evening turned out to be an all night event, we ate like kings and just as we finished dining we were entertained by some awesome live music. MBC is a little out of the way and so they have cleverly put everything you need for a good night under one roof so you really don't have any need to leave once you have settled in for the night. On offer are 'pub-food' classics, done to a high standard, including a fantastic Nachos (€7.50) (the large is a meal in itself, or a starter for 3!) Quesadillas with 3 cheeses (€8), or Prawns with garlic aioli (€8/11) for starters. The MBC is the home to Chamonix's one and only 'Canadian Hamburger' (~€10.50) which, probably quite rightly, lays claim to being one of Cham's best. Other treats on the menu include Satay skewers (€14.50) and Entrecote grillé (€15.50) which all come tried and approved for main. You could almost imagine saving yourself a week's food budget by eating at the MBC early on in your stay - the portions are massive and will satisfy any appetite, desserts barely get a look in, although not surprisingly I managed to find room.
As I had not cooked all week I decided to continue the trend and eat out again Thursday night. I fancied something a little more authentic and so went to La Tetras in Chamonix Sud for a feast of raclette and fondue. The service was fantastic and the food even better! The restaurant is run by a French couple so they really know good fondue and judging by the fact I had to be rolled home I can honestly say I loved every bite. The prices were extremely reasonable and to be honest the atmosphere was much more accommodating for families than some other French restaurants I have eaten in lately. So for good quality French dining this comes with a strong recommendation!
Some up and coming dates to put in your diary include Feb 26th, which sees power hour, happy hour and live music from Kendal rocking the Fu Bar. Tuesday 27th FUNKLAB takes over La Terrasse; this venue has an increasingly solid reputation for live music and is becoming a confirmed stop on most peoples night out. Friday March 2nd Dj Vuzz will be appearing at Cantina Club. My love for Cantina is no secret and so I can safely say that I will be there with bells on next Friday.
For all you sports fans head to Le Vagabond in Cham or The Office in Argentiere this Saturday the 24th for 6 Nations Rugby ALL DAY. For those ladies who are not keen rugby followers it is worth going along anyway just to see some great legs in rather tiny shorts!
There's more hot sporting activity for you right here in town next week with the playoffs for the Magnus League Ice Hockey Tournament. None other than our very own Chamonix Chamois will be playing Epinal in a best of 3 matches for a place in the quarter finals. First match is away on Saturday 24th, followed by a home game on Tuesday 27th for the Chamois. If they haven't already beaten Epinal to a pulp by then, the final and deciding match will also take place in Chamonix on Wednesday. Matches kick off at 8.30pm at the ice rink and entrance is €10 for adults, €3 students/10-16 yr olds and under 10's go free! (Reduced rate of €8 for groups of 10 or more). If you haven't seen to a hockey match this season, then you've got to watch this one!
There is plenty more happening in Chamonix so check out the What's On Calendar for further fixtures and events.
