Preparing for outdoor living
As we’re pittering about the market, filling the beds with plants which will scent the air and capture gazes through the summer months, we’re dreaming about the days when we’ll be dining al fresco. We wanted to share some photos which exude the pleasures of dining outdoors, along with a couple of notions on how to pull it off with flair and ease.
Yes, we’re back to the mountains, this time in France, in the Brevent/Flegere, a ski area in Chamonix.
It’s always a pleasure to enjoy a leisurely lunch in an outdoor setting, especially after participating in a rigorous activity! It’s so nice to sit down to a great meal, maybe a view, fresh air and dining camaraderie. Whether we are hosting or a guest, a relaxed lunch is always most enjoyable.
The Bergerie restaurant (2000m ) is open for lunch and snacks through the winter and summer and is one of the best places to bask in the view of Mont Blanc.
The view is absolutely a factor as to the popularity of this restaurant, but they also serve delicious cuisine. Classic, but fresh. While on a little reconnaissance mission through the restaurant, I became smitten with their bowls of garnishes at the ready on the dessert bar: bowls of tamarinds, husks peeled back and shiny red currants, cut into small bunches.
What a simple, unique garnish. Seeing these reminded me what brilliant garnishes interesting little fruits or vegetables always make. Even if unrelated, a random, unusual fruit looks wonderful on most anything. Imagine cut kumquats, baby kiwis, figs or gooseberries along side your culinary creations, maybe with a little bunch of fresh herbs? Naturally interesting and most always complementary.
They used them to garnish desserts, and also for my salad, a beautiful finishing touch.
This was the goat cheese salad, which is a great salad to serve as a starter or a meal. Their presentation of the goat cheese was very interesting. Traditionally, medallions of goat cheese are heated or sauteed and served on a on a piece toasted baguette, or directly on the salad.
At The Bergerie they wrapped the goat cheese in a won ton wrapper and gave it a quick dip in a pot of sizzling olive oil — crispy, creamy…quel from age!
A little higher up the mountain, Le Panoramic Mont-Blanc (2525 m) offers a more limited menu, but it’s a delightful place to stop in for a glass of rosé, or espresso. And, of course, the view.
Note the small pot of flowers (pansies?) near the rosé above – a delightful bit of color. We love British Daisies, and found this colorful cache of them to be so cheerful on the table.
While buying plants for beds this Spring, let’s buy a few extras to put in decorative pots for an easy, long-lasting flower arrangement to enjoy while dining al fresco this spring and summer.
looks amazing… and the goat cheese in the wonton… just sent me over the edge… xx