The story
L’Esperluette brings French mountain cuisine to the outskirts of Le Grand-Bornand through a seasonal outdoor kitchen. Justin Losserand and Margaux Cohendet founded the project as a summer ginguette, placing small round tables directly on the grass beneath the Alps. Margaux Cohendet previously worked at Flocons de Sel, while Justin Losserand co-founded the independent label Radio Meuh. Their straightforward approach earned a spot on the Le Fooding list for 2026.
A wood-fired oven drives the menu, turning regional produce into crisp, shareable plates. Caraway sausage blisters alongside thick garlic ketchup, while a Savoyard-style pizzetta layers bacon, cream, and slow-cooked onions. Beer-braised Bornes pork arrives fork tender, resting beside corn glazed in brown butter. The kitchen balances these hearty preparations with bright sides like caponata topped with roasted feta and anchovy pesto, keeping the focus squarely on Alpine cooking.
Guests dine outdoors while watching ski lifts idle through their summer quiet. The service remains breezy, often featuring guest chefs who rotate through the seasonal program. Natural wines flow freely to match the rustic plating. Sweet vernal grass infuses the final crème caramel, leaving a clean meadow finish that rounds out this French mountain cuisine.
Recognition
Location
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