Le Tremplin Restaurant Review

Despite not having reserved, we luckily only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table for 11 of us on the packed sun terrace. The waiters were clearly used to the crowds as they juggled orders, plates, glasses and several languages with the utmost of ease. There wasn't a cloud in the sky as we shed the layers to bask in the sunshine.

The menu is not for the miserly, but then again, nor is Courchevel 1850. Expect to pay 22€ for Spaghetti Bolognaise, 6€ for a beer, 5.70€ for a Coke, 22-26€ for a pizza and 9€ for a bottle of Sparkling Water. However these prices are still very competitive for Courchevel 1850, and you are slap bang in the centre of all the action. Skiers are pouring down the slopes all around you, gorgeous women clad head to toe in fur and luxury jewellery and brands seem to go past every few seconds. This is people watching at its best!

The menu is packed with old favourites, local dishes and the usual extravagances you learn to see in 1850. Fresh Oysters, lobster and crab all look tempting, but I spy something I've not had in a while; Sushi. The Sushi menu is comprehensive, ranging from individual Nigiri, Sushi, Sashimi right up to huge platters including 1kg of lobster. I opt for the 6 Sashimi dish. It always amazes me that even up in the Alps you can have fresh fish, delivered up daily from the South Coast of France, but the demand for fish and seafood has made this a reality. The Sashimi, served with Soya sauce, Ginger and Wasabi is gorgeous, melting in the mouth and a true pleasure to eat.

My friends seem to try most of the range of the menu, sampling Burgers, Pizzas and Pasta dishes, but then they have been skiing hard all morning and are in desperate need of energy and carbs. I'm informed the pizzas are extremely tasty with a good helping of ingredients and thin base (there is no need for excess deep base in my opinion!), the burgers are juicy and a good size with serving of fries and salad, the pasta dishes seemed to also be popular and their plates were almost licked clean, though decorum must be maintained in these settings.

This year the Tremplin celebrates it's 50th anniversary in Courchevel 1850, and it has deservedly stood the test of time, catering to and delighting many generations with its food and ambiance and it's not hard to see why it's been such a success. If you're just skiing through or lucky enough to be staying in Courchevel then my advice would be head to the Tremplin, whether your budget will only stretch to a coffee or allow you to sample the luxurious finer parts of the food and wine menus.

Expect to pay minimum between 30 - 50€ per head (depending on dish and wine).