Hôtel Palafitte - Neuchâtel

Where to start: entree is a tastefully decorated bar to enjoy an aperitif. The main room is beautifully decorated in a marine style (as is all staff) with a magnificent view of the lake. Staff is amazing: professional but never „stiff“. Regional (chasselas) white wine...for starters was top. We had salmon/foie gras to start with. Both were exceptionally tasteful. Went for the Tuscany red for main course, and what a main course… Simply the best I had in the last years for sure (beef and chicken): original, super tasty (sauce, truffles, foie), well cooked (and as requested! the right sides, the right portion: it was all just perfect. No other words do it justice. Deserts were also amazing. Price was absolutely fair for the amazing food we had. A true gem. Will have to come back ASAP…. Amazed this is not the number restaurant in Neuchâtel….

Dinner at La Table de Palafitte was a thank you to my hosts for accommodating me throughout the week. The menu was quite varied, and the meal was very nicely presented, and balanced. Pricewise it is expensive, but one normally takes that into account when...booking at this kind of establishment.

We went to Sunday brunch and were disappointed with the food offered: Potato salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, those are not worthy of a stars. The tiny buffet had a very limited selection, including the dessert section. The main course of mashed potatoes and...braised beef wasn’t served hot. A good selection of local cheeses but no labels so we didn’t know what they were. The person serving us wasn’t able to recommend a wine. They merely pointed us to the most expensive wine on the menu…

We went for the Sunday brunch (having heard only good things about it). The food did not disappoint, it was indeed very good. However the waitress assigned to our table was terrible (Ms E She was rude and overall disrespectful. I have no idea where...they found her and I understand this job is not for everyone, but perhaps this may be the time for her to reconsider her career choice. I would not expect this kind of behaviour from a cheap pub, let alone from a restaurant of that standing.

The food at La Table is lovely and even when being vegetarian (like I am) you can easily ask for something personalized. The desserts are wonderful! Beautiful setting (outside in the summer, and inside in winter) and views of the lake and swiss alps...(you're basically almost on the lake if you stay in the hotel, you are ON the lake). Staff is very service minded and lovely too. Have been here many times, and will soon return for a brunch!