Le Cowbell restaurant review

After a busy morning of skiing we were ready for a feed. The menu is unlike anything I've seen in this part of France. And it took us ages to decide what to try. From characterful cocktails to crazy combinations of flavour this was certainly an eclectic and fun menu.

We were told that the deep fried macaroni cheese was a must-try. As are the pies, which sadly when we were visiting, weren't on the menu. You can also choose from bigger dishes like bowls of different meat combinations including ox cheek, pork belly and lamb tagine. There are also veggie options including a cheesy broth. We opted for the smaller bite menu, choosing macaroni, leek and potato soup and scotch egg. Unsure what to expect we waited, with our lovely, much needed pints, with baited breath.

The Cowbell itself is an American bar style venue with a restaurants and also a bar area. Its vintage appearance really works alongside its modern and upbeat menu and its sofas and chairs are really welcoming after a tough morning on the slopes. It's directly opposite the Mont Chery Gondola, which is a great, unspoilt area of the Portes du Soleil. It’s full of wide, red and black runs, a great park area and lots of tree lined off piste areas. It also boasts an incredible 360 degree view of the PDS. On good days you can see as far as Mont Blanc in the distance. It really is a special place to explore.

Being half term it was a surprise to find the restaurant really quiet, which thankfully meant that we didn’t have to wait long for our food to arrive. I’m glad we decided to try the deep fried mac and cheese because it was really something special. Whoever came up with that idea was definitely a fan of over indulgence! The portion of 5 bites was more than enough to share between two as a little snack or as a full meal for one person. It was served with a tasty sauce, which resembled something between BBQ sauce and plum sauce. None of us could work out exactly what it was but it was definitely yummy.

The soup was also tasty and served with an ample portion of crusty white bread and butter and delicious crispy croutons. One of our party chose a dish with chorizo and chicken and that, I’m told, was really tasty too. Our meal was topped off with a portion of crispy, thin fries which meant we had more than enough food between us. We didn’t however feel overly full, and felt ready to tackle Mont Chery again in the afternoon. That was until our waiter brought 4 complimentary shots of whiskey to the table!

Somehow we managed to polish the tasty extra off between us, which meant sadly we didn’t have any room or energy left to order a pudding. The menu however looked amazing. Banoffee cheesecake? Deep-fried chocolate bars? What more could you ask for? I’ll definitely be back for a pudding visit very soon.

Overall The Cowbell was a great place to stop for lunch. It’s great if you’re looking for something a little bit different and away from the norm. It’s also open in the evenings and serves a wide variety of drinks, cocktails, wines, coffees and spirits so there really is something for everyone. It also has live music evenings and is run by a team of people who are clearly there to help you have a good time. Our waiter was fresh faced and friendly and clearly enjoyed working there. I can see that from the menu it has Scottish heritage which explains the shots of whiskey.

Like it says on the sign taken from that famous Saturday Night Live comedy sketch with Christopher Walken, “I got a fever and the prescription is more cowbell!” We’ll be back...