The closest I have ever got to meditating was when I tried to cure my phobia of snakes through "deep relaxation". It didn't work, partly because of the noisy London traffic outside and partly because of my own scepticism.
But the Buddhist monks of the Shedrub Choekhor Ling centre seem to have the right idea: a tranquil temple atop the Salève with amazing views over Geneva, the Jura and Lac Léman.
Recently discovered by Monsieur Gourmand and me while on a Saturday spin around the winding roads, the temple shares a building with Restaurant Table d'Orientation where we stopped for a bite to eat. We didn't expect much (the name is hopelessly unsnappy and most of the clientele seemed to be ramblers) but we were in for a nice surprise.
Floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the dizzying views, while the dark wood floors and tables would create a warm atmosphere in even the wildest weather. And the menu is limited to just a few salads and meat dishes, a sure sign that the chef takes pride in his culinary creations and uses fresh ingredients.
After some warm and crusty, freshly baked bread (with olive oil, salt AND butter) my salade "fitness" arrived: an abundant pile of green leaves, asparagus, pumpkin seeds, cherry tomatoes and dreamy soft-poached eggs, surrounded by six standing conical carrots.
But Monsieur Gourmand's meal would take some beating. Not usually a great poultry lover, he raved about the crispy roasted chicken breasts with every tender mouthful, and savoured the bed of bolet mushrooms and hearty home-made pasta sheets that made up this pleasing plat du jour. I thought I would be doing him a favour by offering to relieve him of his Brussels sprouts but they were so firm and flavoursome that he only allowed me one meagre bite.
Maybe the monks don't have it so good after all; the aromas that waft around this building must drive them wild with temptation (I think carnivorous indulgences are frowned upon in Buddhism). That wouldn't preclude them from trying the tarte aux pommes though, which looked heavenly.
7660 Route des Trois Lacs, 74560 Monnetier-Mornex, Mont Salève
+33 (0)450 350545
http://www.shedrubchoekhorling.blogspot.com/
But the Buddhist monks of the Shedrub Choekhor Ling centre seem to have the right idea: a tranquil temple atop the Salève with amazing views over Geneva, the Jura and Lac Léman.
Floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the dizzying views, while the dark wood floors and tables would create a warm atmosphere in even the wildest weather. And the menu is limited to just a few salads and meat dishes, a sure sign that the chef takes pride in his culinary creations and uses fresh ingredients.
After some warm and crusty, freshly baked bread (with olive oil, salt AND butter) my salade "fitness" arrived: an abundant pile of green leaves, asparagus, pumpkin seeds, cherry tomatoes and dreamy soft-poached eggs, surrounded by six standing conical carrots.
But Monsieur Gourmand's meal would take some beating. Not usually a great poultry lover, he raved about the crispy roasted chicken breasts with every tender mouthful, and savoured the bed of bolet mushrooms and hearty home-made pasta sheets that made up this pleasing plat du jour. I thought I would be doing him a favour by offering to relieve him of his Brussels sprouts but they were so firm and flavoursome that he only allowed me one meagre bite.
Maybe the monks don't have it so good after all; the aromas that waft around this building must drive them wild with temptation (I think carnivorous indulgences are frowned upon in Buddhism). That wouldn't preclude them from trying the tarte aux pommes though, which looked heavenly.
7660 Route des Trois Lacs, 74560 Monnetier-Mornex, Mont Salève
+33 (0)450 350545
http://www.shedrubchoekhorling.blogspot.com/
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