The story
At Restaurant FIVE inside Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences in Crans-Montana, Chef Félicien Christe builds his menu around Levantine-inspired cuisine designed for sharing. He structures the service to encourage communal dining, allowing guests to navigate a broad selection or follow his seasonal tasting progression. This steady execution earned the kitchen a fourteen-point rating in the 2026 Gault & Millau guide. The approach balances traditional techniques with regional flavors, emphasizing texture and layered seasoning rather than heavy sauces.
The kitchen turns out precise small plates that highlight roasted vegetables and slow-cooked proteins. Guests often begin with randen hummus paired with traditionnel, followed by crisp börek stuffed with two distinct cheeses. Later courses feature caramelized eggplant with date paste and stuffed vine leaves accented by pomegranate seeds. A grilled wild sea bass arrives with diced Jerusalem artichokes and a citrus vierge sauce, giving way to braised lamb resting on eggplant purée and mint yogurt.
The dining space operates within a refined five-star property, yet the service maintains a distinctly unhurried rhythm. A spacious terrace extends the seating area outward, framing mountain views and catching afternoon light. Tables are arranged to preserve conversation without sacrificing privacy. Dessert rounds out the meal with a chocolate-chestnut moelleux accompanied by rum-kissed cream and chestnut ice cream, closing the evening on a quiet note.
Recognition
Ambience