Lunch at Ciecco's in Courmeyeur!

Each of the last 3 winters I've managed to make it through the tunnel to Courmeyeur (the bus there and skiing is free with the Chamonix season ski pass) for a days skiing er, 4 hour lunch at Ciecco, a fantastic restaurant just off the pistes, right on the mountain. The food is fabulous (fairly pricey, but well worth it), the ambience and setting magnificent, but the main ingredient is Anna, the owner, who takes the orders, but also pretty much gives the orders on who should have what and will take every chance to encourage you to blow your budget ("So Anna, what wine would you recommend for about 20€?", [Anna]"Well, you have left yourself no choice, with your main course choice, this one, it's €35.", "Oh, ok, er, I'll take it."). She's really a fantastic hostess and great character who adds a lot to the experience here. And at the end, while you are sorting out the bill, she'll leave you with bottles of homemade grappa and limoncella to polish off at your leisure. Wonderful stuff. This time I was here with friends from London, Ray and Alex, flatmate Todd, and his friend Deb from Canada.