Stone-washed walls, frames of the magnificent Matterhorn, and handmade cuckoo clocks, it doesn’t get any more Swiss than that. Located in the trendy enclave of Duxton, Swiss restaurant Coucou whisks you away on a ski resort holiday set in a cosy alpine cabin. The inviting atmosphere lives up to the meaning of the namesake – Coucou is actually used colloquially as an informal greeting among friends. And here, Swiss flavours are presented in communal fashion and steeped in tradition.
The headlining dish is without a doubt the Fondue Moitié-Moitié (from $38 per person). An original recipe from Fribourg that includes some alcohol (you can also ask for without), the bubbly pot of fondue is exquisitely made up of half Gruyère AOP and half Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP sourced from Fribourg. Stick to the classic savoury pot or amp up the experience with a variety of toppings from aromatic truffles to fiery chilli padi.
Moving on to the act of dipping and swirling. For that, accompaniments of chewy bread and soft-boiled baby potatoes are served. But for maximum pleasure, insist on a glass (or bottle) of Petite Arvine de Vétroz 2023 by Serge Roh to pair. The zesty dry wine is redolent with citrus notes and tangos extremely well with the savouriness of the fondue.
Another signature dish is the Malakoff ($12), made from deep frying a sphere of gruyére that is unique to only three villages in Switzerland. This unassumingly gooey snack is one that melts in your mouth with a nice lingering savouriness. Other Swiss-inspired dishes include the crispy potato Rösti with hearty veal ragout ($28), trout tartare with vibrant specks of bright green chilli ($26), and the refreshingly zesty salade coucou ($12).
