L'Index-Chamonix — Restaurant in Bonneville

Definitely not the place to go if you’re not keen on animal-focused food….I used to love this restaurant - creative, thoughtfully crafted seasonal and local food, and previously with outstanding vegetarian dishes. However, this year they changed to a new ‘surprise’ prix fixe menu, and the two times we have had it, the ‘surprise’ did not consist of dishes that I would have been happy to order off a menu, nor that I felt created a nice meal, as someone who strives to limit consumption of annual sourced foods for environmental and ethical reasons. The staff is also very rude and unhelpful with this new approach - they ask about preferences to shape the ‘surprise’ but then dismiss or even try to ridicule said preferences with flippant excuses - for example, we expressed a desire to have plant based sources of protein incorporated into our food (and even noted this in our reservation request, giving them plenty of time to prepare); they told us that because they focus on locally produced food, and that because the Haute Savoie does not produce legumes like lentils and chickpeas, they could not include them - ignoring 1) the fact that there are bean varietals that grow in the Haute Savoie, and 2) their menu includes many other ingredients that aren’t local or seasonal - for example, the dessert included chocolate, and cocoa definitely does not grow in the Haute Savoie! On top of that, they then proceeded to bring out Panisse as an amuse bouche, which is made out of chickpeas (!) - if they can include it in the amuse bouche, why say it’s impossible to include in the plat principal? Despite our request, they served egg as our main dish - the most animal-focused source of protein there is for a vegetarian, and a blatant disregard for our request for plant protein to be in our meal. We did not eat the egg dish, which meant in the end we paid the prix fixe price of 58 euros for a soup and a dessert, and the dessert was also bland and excessively heavy in milk…. What’s more, though they say they focus on natural wines, there are no petnats or orange wines, and the sommeliers advice for selecting wines is unsophisticated and unhelpful. We will not...

Our first dining experience in the Chamonix area, unfortunately we didn't really have a particularly good meal. We had reserved but it wasn't busy. Presumably the beginning of the season. The restaurant was cold.

The Char was interesting but slightly underwhelming and a little undercooked, it's not easy to deliver. The hot dishes all arrived cool on heavy stone cold plates.

Presentation was good

We had to ask for several simple things several times before they arrived, like more water. It wasn't busy.

I did ask for a Ricard as an aperitif and it duly arrived with 4 dead fruit flies in the glass also ! It was promptly replaced but not discounted from our bill which was close to €500. These gestures are noticeable.

Good wine recommendations.

I'm not a fan of pets in dining rooms, it's ok if they stay put, it's a cultural norm in France and I appreciate that I'm the visitor. This restaurant has a cat, I like cats, we've 3 of our own. However it politely lives on the stairs, beside the steps to the kitchen bar area. We watched the staff pet the cat on numerous times in passing I'd be the same. But, they are on service and are handling plates ,food and glasses. You don't touch pets in the process, there was definitely no hand gel used between the cat petting and the food and drinks service.

There is a single toilet which isn't a big deal but again please invest in paper towels and dont expect the patrons of an evenings sitting to all share 2 small hand towels. One shouldn't need to use you own hand gel on returning to ones table from using the restaurant toilets.

Maybe we got them just a bit rusty at the beginning of the season as regards the food and service but we wouldn't return for many other reasons I hope I've been...

Simply incredible, amazing food and service. Before you visit DO READ the concept of this restaurant so you understand. You won't be presented with a menu, but three alternatives on the number of tasting dishes. The attentive, friendly staff will then ask of you have any allergies or food dislikes so the chef knows what not to prepare for you. Then sit back, enjoy the wine and wait to be surprised and delighted with each dish presented to you with an explanation by the smiling server. This is a MUST place for food lovers (NOT FOR FUSSY EATERS) and it's just delightful not having to choose from a menu but instead be served delicious local seasonal food. Each dish is presented as a work of art and a taste sensation! Some may say the the price is expensive, BUT just look at the care and skill involved - that doesn't come cheap so just suck up the cost and know it will be an experience that lives on for a long time! The setting is beautiful - as this was the summer we ate outside with views of the mountains in a tranquil, fairy light lit garden. A memorable...