La Plagne Apres Ski Report: 27th February 2013
Of Crepes and Cowboys
Pancake day may have passed but that’s no reason not to get stuck in to a crepe every now and then. I’m a traditionalist at heart so would usually stick to the lemon and sugar classic but good lord there is a world of pancake choice out there, there’s some crazy cats even putting cheese in them! Savoury pancakes, who knew!
I headed out for dinner to Chez Marie this week, a place that had previously been completely under my radar, and assuming that it was a tiny creperie I was in for a right surprise. Owned by the same people as La Metairie, Chez Marie is decorated in the same kitschy French style and like La Metairie is a tardis of a place stretching out into more and more rooms once you get inside, with raised booths all around to give you a private and cosy dining experience.
To say that they do crepes is a massive understatement; they have an extensive menu covering all manner of sweet and savoury, plus crepes that get flambéed at the table, whole-wheat crepes (far too healthy for my tastes) and smaller versions available on the kids menu. You’d be forgiven for going there purely for them but just a creperie this place is not! They also have a full menu consisting of all the Savoyard favourites, fondues, pierrade, raclette as well as your usual staples and a full kids menu as well.
I went with a family group and everything we had went down well, the kids loved sitting up in the booth and watching the waiter flambéing at the table gave them a real kick. we couldn’t fault the service, food or atmosphere and since they’re open for lunch and dinner I’m sure ill be heading back there again.
In other news I did some drinking in a fort this week! Yes an actual fort, and I did have some serious cowboy thoughts whilst I was at it. Under the Colorado chair lift lays ‘Fort Colorado’ a wooden construction that I believe houses horses in the summer. In previous years it has just languished out the winter under a layer of snow, playing host to the occasional picnicking crew or late night wandering revellers, but this year some bright spark has spotted its potential and turned it into an après bar. An après bar in a fort! Brilliant.
They open daily from 3pm to 7pm and have all the necessities; deck chairs, heat lamps, outdoor speakers pumping out tunes and little inside areas where you can sit on tree stump stools and dream your cowboy dreams. They have a well stocked bar, prices consistent with the other bars in town and also do a good range of non alcoholic drinks, hot beverages and chocolate, crisps and munchie things. Although they describe themselves on their posters as ‘day clubbing’ I have yet to see any club like antics but it’s definitely a great place to stop, mid ski or après for a chill in a deck chair and tipple of your choice whilst the Colorado chair passes by over head and everyone looks down at you thinking “well they’ve got the right idea”. When you’re done just hop back on your skis and you’re a tiny run from Plagne Centre, the bubble or the Colorado chair. No walking required. Perfect.
For something a bit different, Mouth bar is hosting a comedy night tonight “Taking the Piste” at 12 Euros a ticket and featuring stand up from Brendan Burns and Tom Wrigglesworth, it promises to be a break from the norm and I shall keep you posted as to whether it is to be more than a one off.
Thats it for this week, now, anyone for cowboys and Indians? Meet you at the fort!
