Elite Traveler Winter 2019

EXPLORE GSTAAD

Fondue favorites

You can’t leave Gstaad without indulging in fondue. Join locals in an epicurean pastime that makes friends out of strangers as you dip your toasted bits of bread into a hot pot of melted, pungent mountain cheese. Abundant with rules for doing it just right (you mustn’t let your bread fall from your long fork and get lost in the cheese — that’s considered bad luck — and do not drink carbonated beverages while fondue-ing), this casual way to dine holds a sacred place in the annals of Swiss culture. Tasting best in a rough-hewn mountain hut during cold weather, fondue satisfies for lunch or dinner. While nearly every five-star hotel has its own fondue cabin — such as Le Grand Bellevue’s Le Petit Chalet , The Gstaad Palace’s La Fromagerie , or Park Gstaad’s Chalet Waldhus — one of the most entertaining fondue feasts can be cooked by you in a giant, mountain-side cauldron during a hiking break. Purchase a fondue rucksack, pre-packed with fondue supplies from any cheese shop downtown. Then, head to the villages of Schlittmoos or Wispile to begin a trek through panoramic scenery. Stop to cook your own fondue at various path-side, oversized fondue pots along the way for a picnic you will never forget. Back in town, consider homey Saagi Stübli , a quaint restaurant that transports you back in time. gstaad.ch, gstaaderhof.ch

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La Bagatelle Oenophiles with a penchant for hard-to- find Swiss wines get their fix at this congenial temple of gastronomy, known for its award-winning wine cellar. At Hotel Le Grand Chalet, under the direction of chef Stève Willié, the restaurant specializes in French-style regional specialities, such as local venison and lamb. Popular year-round on sunny days, an expansive terrace can hold 60 diners, while interior options include the newly opened conservatory and the original dining room. Zither background music and heart-stopping views seal the deal. grandchalet.ch

Chesery Gstaad’s hottest reservation since Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan transformed a cheesery into a swish inn in 1962, this icon delivers exceptionally delicious cuisine in a warm and relaxing environment. Tucked into a chalet, the elegant eatery defined farm-to-table long before the trend went worldwide. Fish dishes, such as bass in salt crust and seafood pot au feu , remain favorites. Drop in early for an aperitif in the diminutive, atmospheric bar. Lucky diners often have the chance to converse with the chef. chesery.ch

From top La Bagatelle’s rustic chic decor; Sea bass dish at La Bagatelle; fondue at Le Petit Chalet; Le Petit Chalet’s cozy cabin

La Vue Restaurant Built to showcase the mountain views that surround it, Huus Gstaad’s La Vue has windows that frame the ski trails, which undulate from the doors of the slope-sited, design-centric hotel. Huus means house, an apt name since this hotel and its restaurants embody the concept of a welcoming and cozy, albeit elegant, home. At La Vue, the menu draws from the region, highlighting dishes, such as its famous lamb cooked with herbs from the on-site garden. Also notable for its other dining concepts, Huus serves a 200-item breakfast buffet in a top-floor nook — with the option to order breakfast à la carte all day, plus has a fondue eatery, a tapas spot, as well as a special restaurant just for children, Huus Kids. huusgstaad.com

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