Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report:1st April 2011
There is quite a lot to report this week from the world of Après, as not only is it European Gay Ski Week in Alpe d'Huez, but my girlfriend is here for the week which has meant a good deal of wining and dining in my world, mustn't complain though and why would I with the great restaurants and nights out I have been having this week.
Thursday in Smithy's Tavern was Jager Night, and so the streets were flowing with black gold as the masses partied away to rock music until the early hours.
The weekend was filled with not only the arrival of European Gay Ski Week, but also a milestone in my season as it was the weekend I finally cracked and ordered a takeaway instead of a nice nutritious meal. I opted for La Spaguette which is located next door to the Igloo Nightclub but as with most fast food places in Alpe d'Huez, offers a free home delivery. Being so close to the Italian boarder, pizza is a fairly safe bet, and it is not very often you are disappointed so that is what we went for.
Sunday was the first in a long line of EGSW events and I had the pleasure of working at a few of them this week. First on the agenda was the Bear Necessities Party which was being hosted at Smithy's Tavern and so donning a newly homemade pair of cut-off denim shorts I went in to work expecting the unexpected and had a brilliant night entertaining quite a different Smithy's to the one I am used to. Highlight of the evening for me was the plate grinder act who attached a sheet of metal to himself and then with the use of an electric angle grinder fired sparks all over the crowd, quite a spectacle!
On Monday, Helen and I went to our favourite restaurant in town Lounge 21, in the interest of good journalism however, decided to stray from my usual order of spicy fondue and went for the Plat Du Jour which today was a butter bathed chicken dish and I practically wept at the taste of it. The guys at the Lounge take great pride in their work and have a real passion for food, so it is no surprise that they get such great reviews and recommendations from just about everyone in resort. Both Tom and John have worked under Michelin starred chefs in the past and it shows in the menu at Lounge 21. The plat du jour changes every week, but having tried most things on the menu can tell you that all the food is fantastic.
After eating to bursting point, I was again working at an EGSW event, this time it was their Snow Ball held in the Grand Rousses rooms at the Palais. The dress code was white and the alcohol flowed as myself and the rest of the team witnessed some fascinating costumes, and one of the best parties I have had the pleasure of working at. Helen in the meantime headed to the Underground Bar where DJ Karolina was providing the music to Skandi night where she informed me there was some brilliant dancing and Swedish Lycra clad limbo dancing amongst other things.
Tuesday night was the EGSW Pool Party at the Palais des Sport which again I was bartending at for the Speedo clad masses as a live DJ played music as the revellers drank, danced and swam their way through the festivities, but all this came after another dinner out in one of Alpe d'Huez' après joints O-Bar where I had a cheese burger and Helen went for a selection of Tapas.
Wednesday was the 30th Birthday of Scottish John from Sphere bar and so the night was typically filled with champagne, shooters and dancing as O'Sharkeys put on a birthday party for him and around a million of his closest friends before the bash moved on to the Tavern for more late night drinking. All this for me came after my 4th meal out of the week, this time in Fondue en Folie where we had the goats cheese and honey fondue washed down with a bottle of their finest rose wine. A superb meal, and I'm afraid the jury is still hung on a decision over which restaurant makes the best fondue, but the Folie is definitely a contender.
Tonight I will be heading to Rendez Vous for one more crack of the restaurant whip and then heading to Smithy's to see Dr Bruce. With my waistline expanding as fast as the snow is melting, I will be back to tell you all about it in next week's après report
Remember, we're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time!
Pete
For a full list of this week's events, check out our What's On Calendar. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.
