To experience the true Courmayeur vibe and way of life, a meal at Courmayeur Mountain Restaurant, Ristorante Chiecco, will help you take it all in.
Yes, our main objective when in Courmayeur for 3 days was to ski. But we couldn’t not devote an afternoon to one of the renowned areas most famed activities, it’s lengthy and luxurious culinary scene on the slopes. With limited time on our hands, we chose to devote our one 2-3 hour lunch in the Alps to the most talked about Courmayeur mountain restaurant. If you were to ask anyone from Milano where to eat in Courmayeur, Ristorante Chiecco would be at the top of their list. Located right off of Plan Chécrouit, Ristorante Chiecco was everything people talked about and more.
The entrance is hard to miss as you come down a blue slope down into Plan Chécrouit. On the right hand side you’ll find, a paved path through the snow, colorful flags leading the way, and a barrel that reads Bar Ristorante Chiecco. The snow path leads you to a wood and stone chalet buried under what looks like a pile of snow, but it’s just an optical illusion. The chalet is owned by Anna and Paolo Costa, who are well-known names and personalities within Courmayeur. We plunged our skis deep into the snow and hung our poles off the end. In Courmayeur, no one is going to steal your skis so you kind of just leave them in the snow and head off to your meal.
Ristorante Chiecco has plenty of luxurious outdoor seating areas, perfect for taking in the view of Courmayeur below. At the entrance, they’ve got the more bar-esque seating areas. Whether you just want to enjoy an Aperol spritz and lay in one of the many sun chairs or hop up on one of the outdoor wooden bar stools for a couple of Peronis or Nastro Azzurro beers.
Below the snow packed bar-esque terrace, a staircase leads you to the more restaurant-esque outdoor seating area. A completely different, more elevated feel than the above ground bar and sun lounge area. It’s nestled below the snow, so not visible from the slopes. Chairs are draped with warm fuzzy sheep skin and blankets, bright orange and green table clothes decor table overlooking the panorama below, flags hand above your head and on tables, beautiful Alpine decorations line the Courmayeur mountain restaurant. A beautiful Saint Bernard called Zag wanders the chalet minding his own business as people chow down on their amazing cuisine and sip their wine and beer. Needless to say, it’s quaint beyond belief. Originally we were going to sit outside, but it was a bit cold and the sun was beginning to hide behind Ristorante Chiecco, so we decided to eat indoors (equally as great of a choice).
The interior is just as quirky and fun. The Courmayeur mountain restaurant is set on two floors and is decorated with the rustic, Alpine theme that is typical of this region – expect soft lighting, smokey-orange and red furnishings and plenty of wood cladding with alpine and eclectic decorations. Pat and I sat inside next to the private terrace outdoor area, where we could observe what was going on inside and out. I just sat in the corner and took in the decor. My stomach began to rumble, it was time to take in some of Ristorante Chiecco’s simple yet refined Alpine multi-course cuisine they were known for.
1. Aperitivo: Bruschetta Calda con Coppa Croccante
First up was a classic Italian beer and their classic starter, warm bruschetta with crunchy coppa, aka prosciutto. Chiecco only works with the best producers in Italy and abroad to create seasonal dishes unlike any other. I’ve had bruschetta a million times, but never warm and with meat, which set this dish apart from any other starter I’ve had before.
2. Primo: Ravioli Stuffed with Ricotta di Bufala and Herbs
The pasta was pillowy, plump, and mouthwatering. Made from scratch, these all-natural, homemade pockets of pasta are packed with one of our most decadent and rare selections in Italy including, Ricotta di Bufala, for a bite of melt-in-your-mouth freshness, and herbs from the surrounding area. We ate every ounce of it, wiping clean the sauce on the plate with the delicious pane, or bread, that was made available.
3. Secondo: Costolette di Agnello o Maiale alla Senape
Aka lamb chops or pig with a light mustard sauce. Fun fact, Patrick does not like mustard at all, but he didn’t even realize he was devouring it in this delightful meal. The chewy yet tender feeling of the meat mixed a slight sweet yet tangy taste of mustard accompanied by purple mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and greens, made for a hearty second that would get us back on our feet and onto our skis.
4. Dolce: Tiramisu
However, we couldn’t leave without tasting one of Anna’s famous homemade desserts. The dessert of the day was Tiramisu, displayed intricately on a plate with fork shape outlined by cocoa powder on the plate–so fun and elegant. It was the perfect kick we needed to get our butts out of our seats and back onto our skis to close off the day packed with energy from our meal.
Dining at Ristorante Chiecco is definitely not a grab and go ordeal. It’s a full blown four to five course meal, an exploration of the senses in the mountains. It’s meant for those looking for a more laid back approach to skiing, but in my book it is a must for everyone. Don’t mind the rush and the chaos of the staff running around in the background and be patient when it comes to them serving your meals, time is not something that is felt here. To experience the true Courmayeur vibe and way of life, a meal at Ristorante Chiecco will help you take it all in.
>> Next: Where to Rent Skis in Courmayeur: Alpineve
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