Postcards to Rick Steves |
Say cheese!
FOOD & WINE... and BEER
Food from this region is known as Savoie cuisine. It is hearty and best appreciated after a long hike or to warm you up. Naturally, like in Switzerland, there is an emphasis on cheese. Morbier, Comté, Gruyère, Beaufort, Reblochon, Abondance, and Tomme de Savoie are local specialties, so whether you crave mild and creamy or hard and strong, there is something for you.
Popular dishes in this region include fondue, raclette (partially-melted cheese scraped over potatoes, meats or bread), smoked sausage, and gratin savoyard (potatoes with cream, cheese, and garlic). Our group dinner included both fondue and raclette! Be sure to dress in layers; it's cold outside but warm while you cook. Our fondue came with bread, potatoes, and vegetables, while the raclette came with tomatoes (drizzled with pesto and balsamic), assorted meats, and an abundance of Abondance! And we weren't even expecting dessert after such a heavy meal, but there it was... a scoop of ice cream covered in meringue and drizzled with caramel and shaved almonds. Wine is more low-key in this region. Apremont and Crepy are two good whites. I would recommend, however, the beer. Local beer includes Baton de Feu and, my personal favorite, Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc comes in three varieties, including its popular "green beer," brewed with a local herb called genepi. As you stroll, take time to give your eyes a treat amongst all the specialty shops selling chocolates, macaroons, and other tasty items. I recommend Le Refuge Payot, whose two locations in the town center sell a staggering variety of cheeses, meats, sausages, wine, and more! The owners are happy to give you a taste of whatever you desire. After a long day out and about, nothing beats sitting back and enjoying a drink, a glass of beer, or even a tasty mug of hot cocoa! |
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