Hotel De L’Europe

Hotel de L’Europe

1 Rue Saint Eldrade,
05220 Le Monetier les Bains
Tel: 0492244003.
Email: hotel-de-leurope[at]wanadoo[dot]fr
Hours: Everyday Winter – 7.30pm-1am, last orders 9.30pm. Summer from midday-1am.

This hotel boasts one of the best fine-dining experiences in Serre Chevalier. Set right on the village square in Monetier, this family-owned hotel has built up a reputation for excellent food over five generations since 1850.

Run by Pascal Finat, who is a fully qualified chef in his own right, and his English wife Sarah, you will get great service that makes dining here feel like it’s from a more civilized time. The waitresses take care to explain the dishes as they arrive and the method of preparation, a rare treat indeed, something that really stands out these days.

Chef Thierry has some 20 years experience under his belt and combines knowledge of his native south-west with many of the mountain dishes of here in the south-east, giving a slight twist to the traditional French menu.

Portions are generous, really generous, a very SW France trait. For a starter the 29€ escalope of foie gras, is a meal in itself and the Monetier plate at 18€ has a selection of mouth-watering delicacies, such as smoked duck, which are all delicious.

Meat is well represented, the Duck Magret at 19€, was half a duck, but impossible to not finish. Plenty of fish is also to be found up the mountain and of course local fare such as raclette, 20€ p/p or one of the styles of fondue, 20-23€ set you right after a day’s skiing. All come with chips and salad.

There is a different four-course menu every day at 23€, starter, main, pudding and cheese, and a set four-course menu at 26€ – this is two fois gras terrines and a tender lamb confit this season, my usual choice.

The hotel is noted for its well stocked cellar. Should you need something to cleanse the palate, many wines are available by the glass or bottle. You can have these in the bar, which closes when it closes.

Fergus Rainbow
February 2011

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