On a trip to Geneva, I let the view from an 18th-century mansion sweep me away while I dined on light, seasonal, Mediterranean fare. Overlooking a lush park that stretches out to Geneva Lake and the mountains beyond, the Restaurant Hôtel du Parc des Eaux-Vives (it’s all in the name) is an unexpected surprise in a city awash with big brands and hotel dining establishments. It’s a quick boat ride from the centre, plus a short stroll through a park, but this is nothing if not a destination spot. Sitting on the terrace, the bucolic scene below takes in families having picnics, solitary walkers, boats skimming the lake, and the cool calm of the silhouetted mountain range.
As might be gathered, the view is scene-stealing. But that doesn’t mean the food is below par. The simple menu belies the creativity of the chefs, and the light salads and local fish caught just metres away are certainly to be recommended. The wine list is worth delving into, especially for the excellent local offerings (a treat as they are so scarce outside Switzerland).
For those who are left in a sublimely sated stupor by the good food, good wine, and hopefully good company, a small number of rooms and suites are upstairs (though they are often booked months in advance).
