DISAPPOINTING OVERALL, FOR A RESORT OF THIS STANDARD

Val d'Isere has a vast range of over 50 restaurants but, as in many French resorts, they tend to offer similar menus of Savoyarde cuisine - fondues, raclette, tartiflette, etc. Pizzas and pasta are widely available but truly innovative cuisine is hard to come by.

La Taverne d'Alsace was rebuilt about 15 years ago but, at three times its original size, it still has lots of cosy corners in which to drink Alsatian beer or wines or indulge in that region's hearty cooking. The railway carriage shaped Bar Jacques, run by Tom Mongellaz, is a good place for a quiet drink or a fairly simple dinner with a good bottle of Beaujolais. Casa Scara is a popular, tiny restaurant with an Italian menu, tucked away in the old village.

Situated on the edge of the piste, the Grande Ourse has a good atmosphere and serves traditional French cuisine. It was taken over not long ago by Jean and Lise, the son and daughter-in-law of the previous owner. (The other brother, Pierre continues to run the Perdrix.) La Luge, a basement restaurant (belonging to the Hotel Blizzard) with a discreet entrance on the main street is one of Val's hidden gems.

Whether you want oysters, lobster, fillet steak or pizza, you will find them all - and much more besides - at that most crucial of Val d'Isere institutions, the Perdrix Blanche, which also has a popular little bar. In recent years, however, standards of cooking and service have been somewhat unpredictable and its future is uncertain.

Pierre Paul Jacques are the three new restaurant/bars situated in the refurbished Latitudes hotel and run by Luc Reversade of La Fruitiere with, as always, a quirky take on presentation. Sur La Montagne is a relaxed, friendly place run by the charming Terrinini sisters and popular with the locals. Head for La Belle Etoile if you are looking for cuisine with an Asian influence and enjoy Sushi.

Another recent newcomer is the charming L'Atelier d'Edmond situated in Le Fornet - or try La Table de l'Ours at the Hotel Barmes de l'Ours which has won a much-coveted Michelin star. The less expensive, Rotisserie restaurant in the same hotel has had good reports.

Sadly, the popular Chalet du Cret is now closed and has been converted into a private chalet.