Albert 1er Restaurant — Restaurant in Bonneville

My wife and I planned our trip to Chamonix several months ago, and with a few weeks of arriving we were able to make a reservation here which was awesome on such short notice. This would be our first Michelin Star, actually in France. We looked at the menu ahead of time and planned to go with the seven course, as our reservation was a little on the later side. We made it to the hotel where they they took our coats, as we walked towards the restaurant we passed a woman singing while playing the piano in the room before entering. In theory this would have been a nice touch, but she was absolutely belting it, it was disruptive and made the noise level in the dining area much louder than what I think is appropriate for this sort of faire. Not only was it hard to hear ourselves at the table much less the waiters trying to explain each dish. This brings me to the food. Ordering from the menu of only a few options took quite a while. When we requested a wine menu, an ipad was thrust upon us with 35 pages, impressive but quite a lot to study in a timely manner. I expected better summary of the wine options and pairings than what was offered, which was none. We selected a bottle of a local savoie region white wine on our own, which we enjoyed. By the time we received our bottle and served the first course an hour had passed since being seated. This seemed long but the time was filled with some palate cleansers but all before the meal seemed different. The seven course felt completely sufficient as it had a variety of different flavors. Overall the food was what I would expect from a dining experience of this level. The trout was a little bland with a highlight of the flavors butternut Corsican orange and ice cream with fennel flavors that came with dessert.

This synopsis in a nutshell, I would recommend this restaurant and give it a 4 or 5 star rating, but let me tell you why I'm not:

On the first course there was what seemed to be a beard hair on my plate, it was on a large plate far from being anywhere near the food, so I didn't want to make a fuss about it. However, on my dessert there was another hair (eyelash or eyebrow) on the serving plate, again not touching food but clearly present. Once, is unlucky, or a coincidence, twice, however, is a trend. And thus is where I would have liked to have mentioned something but at this point we had been dining for three hours and we're exhausted. Mind you, at two hours in we were only finishing our second course. Cramming five courses into one hour made for an uncomfortable eating experience, the was quite "heavy" and by the time dessert was served we could hardly enjoy it. The cheese course and selection was very impressive, however by the time all the two dozen or so cheese options were rattled off, it was hard to recall which was which and really just picking from looks. Some additional identification would have been appreciate to associate my final choices, but maybe that's just because I am not a cheese connoisseur. On a final note we had to specifically ask several times for our wine (from the bottle we purchased) and water to be refilled with stretches over five minutes with empty glasses - not the service I would have ever expected from a restaurant with a star.

Overall I'm very disappointed with this experience, the food was interesting with creative flavors yet heavy and had us feeling unwell to the next morning. The quality and service was inattentive...

Nestled in the heart of Chamonix, Albert 1er is a culinary gem that effortlessly marries tradition with innovation. The restaurant’s two Michelin stars are a testament to the artistry and precision that go into every dish, but what truly sets the experience apart is the impeccable wine service.

The sommelier is nothing short of a maestro, who guided us on a journey through the region’s finest vineyards. His knowledge of Savoie wines is unparalleled, and his ability to pair each course with the perfect bottle elevates the dining experience to new heights. From the crisp minerality of a local Roussette to the bold complexity of a Mondeuse, every selection not only complements the dish but enhances its flavors in surprising and delightful ways.

The tasting menu is a masterpiece, with each plate showcasing the chef’s deep respect for seasonal, local ingredients. Highlights included a delicately poached trout paired with a vibrant Chignin-Bergeron, and a melt-in-your-mouth venison loin accompanied by a structured and earthy red from the slopes of the Mont Blanc region.

With panoramic views of the Alps serving as a breathtaking backdrop, ensuring every moment...

Gorgeous dining experience at Restaurant Albert 1er! First off, the staff were fantastic and made the night unforgettable! Big thanks to all of them. I had the vegetarian 7-course menu and asked for a cocktail pairing which the sommalier smashed out of the park. Each course was fantastic, big thank you to Chef Leveau, I especially loved the asparagus dish and the carrots dish, what fantastic fusion of fresh lovely flavors! The sauces that came with the dishes were so good that I asked them to be kept on the table just so I can have more of them with the delicious breads. The main dessert of parsley and chocolate was one of the best desserts I’ve ever tasted, huge kudos to Chef Garnier! Dishes were also presented beautifully and every detail superseded my expectations. I will be a frequent visitor each time I’m in Cham from now on. The only interesting thing was that the chefs did not come out to chat, which is something I typically experience at Michelin restaurants. It would have been a nice touch on top of the wonderful night but really a 10/10 dining experience all around. Thank you and until...