It's hard to believe when you enter the somewhat inconspicuous "Hôtel Alpes et Lac" just opposite Neuchâtel railroad station: once you cross it, you find yourself on the terrace with probably the most beautiful view of Lake Neuchâtel. For a visit to the
restaurant with the apt name "La Terrasse", it is well worth choosing a warm evening. The best way to start is with a typical Neuchâtel non-filtré, followed by a tasting of the many local wines. Since March, chef Daniel Aires, who previously cooked at the "Hotel La Prairie" in Yverdon for twelve years, has been providing a breath of fresh gastronomic air. We particularly like the puff pastry tart with fresh and confit tomatoes, caramelised onions and pesto dabs. The vitello tonnato, on the other hand, is a little dry. In addition to the dishes with an Italian twist, the menu also features some classics. The perch fillets meunière with Chasselas sauce, for example, are one of the house specialties. The fish fillets are tender and buttery, the sauce beautifully creamy. The succulent and carved pork fillet with morel sauce is also a success. Both the crispy, salty fried potatoes and the gratin dauphinois are recommended as side dishes. For the French-inspired dessert selection, choose Café Gourmand for the sake of simplicity: you don't have to choose between crème brûlée, pavlova with strawberries, baba au rhum or almond brittle with blueberries.