On a recent trip to Megève, the French capital of alpine chic, Luxury Travel Advisor learned about a cool new hotel project-- perched on top of Mont d’Arbois high above Megève. In the shadow of Mont Blanc, Vertigo is accessed via multiple ski lifts, its panoramic terrace boasting jaw-dropping mountain views. The five-star Vertigo hotel will not debut until 2012, but in the meantime, its gastronomic restaurant beckons.
For this winter season, the restaurant is playing host to a culinary extravaganza called “déjeuner au sommet.” Ten of the most talented chefs in France will be cooking up lunch that promises to reach the pinnacle of gastronomic greatness on top of the mountain. A different chef will take over the kitchen each week until March 27, 2011, presenting a multi-course feast paired with Krug Champagnes. During the first week (January 10-16, 2011), Emmanuel Renaut, of the Michelin two-starred restaurant Flocons de Sel in Megève, presented a menu showcasing the Savoy region’s bounty: an emulsion of potato and local Reblochon cheese, beet Parmesan gnocchi with a watercress Savoy biscuit, spaghetti with salsify root and truffles, and roasted pigeon with Piedmont hazelnuts.
Here’s the star-studded roster of culinary talent: Alain Perrillat-Mercerot from the Michelin-starred restaurant “Atmosphères" in Bourget du Lac; Eric Sapet from "La petite maison de Cucuron" in Cucuron, Vaucluse; Philippe Mille from "Les Crayères" in Reims; Nicolas le Bec from the Michelin two-starred "Le Bec & Taka" in Lyon; Davide Bisetto from the Michelin two-starred "Casadelmar" in Porto Vecchio; Michel Rostang from the Michelin two-starred "Restaurant Michel Rostang" in Paris; Philippe Etchebest from the Michelin two-starred "L'Hostellerie de Plaisance" in Saint-Emilion en Gironde; Laurent Petit from the Michelin two-starred "Le Clos des Sens" in Annecy; Marc Veyrat and Yoann Conte from "Auberge de l'Eridan" in Veyrier du Lac.
Photo courtesy of Project Vertigo Mont Blanc/ Laurent Pons