Evolution Café Bar/Brasserie can be found near la Chaudanne. Whereas the resort abounds in restaurants serving local and French food, modern, innovative cooking is thin on the ground. Evolution cleverly meets a local need for top quality, modern international cuisine.
The restaurant is small and intimate with subdued lighting. It has been beautifully refurbished in modern taste with wooden floors, a mocha colour scheme and comfortable leather sofas – even the sound system is top quality Bose. This would be the perfect place to take a date or small group of friends, rather than a large crowd.
Head Chef James Knight has created a brief but constantly changing menu, full of the unexpected flavour combinations. Our starters of beetroot terrine with asparagus and dill, and foie gras with curry, were beautifully presented and the unusual ingredients married together exceptionally well. The main course of grilled salmon with black beans, spinach and capsicum marmalade was cooked to perfection. The puddings were delicious without being heavy: a feather-light granité au café and slim slices of moist chocolate brownie left us feeling wonderfully well-fed rather than over-full.
At lunchtime and during the afternoon Evolution offers a shorter menu of main dishes and lighter snacks, which can be enjoyed in the sun on the terrace. It also offers a full cooked breakfast from 8am. The bar and internet area (Wi-Fi, flat-screen computers) are open all day.
Evolution manages to be smart with excellent food without being either pretentious or overpriced. If you enjoy really good and innovative cuisine, then this is the restaurant for you. We will certainly intend to be back again!
