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Hi Brad and Lydia,
welcome to MySwissAlps!
In Zermatt try Le Gitan on the main street (depending on what you mean by “moderate prices” you may however prefer to go back to Visp or Brig right after shooting that Matterhorn selfie, Zermatt is pricey altogether).
In Lausanne try the Café Romand, a brasserie of long tradition.
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In Wengen:
– Fondue at Eiger Restaurant (right by train station) is really excellent.
– Rösti at Restaurant Bahnhof at Kleine Scheidegg used to be sublime but with ownership change the bloom is off the rose there. Head to Eigergletscher Station restaurant. Try to get a seat on the veranda overlooking the glaciers. All the other items on their menu are some version of very good to sublime.
_ Raclette, well, you most likely won’t find this anywhere as it’s considered a winter dish (as is fondue but the good folks at Eiger Restaurant keep it going year round — very rare). If perchance there is a “tent party” (Folklore Evening) in Wengen during the time you are there they usually start up raclette about this time of year. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem so (http://www.myswitzerland.com/ en-us/events.html?rkey=759) but the local events often don’t make it all the way to myswitzerland.com. Ask at tourist office when you arrive. Sadly you will miss the Alpabzug (cows down from summer pastures) to Lauterbrunnen by just a few days!
While in Wengen, do not miss the incredible pizza at Pizzeria da Sina, the fabulous local fish at Berghaus Hotel Restaurant, nor a dinner at Bären Hotel/Restaurant.
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Thanks, Snowman. We’re staying at the youth hostel, so one option for offsetting the high prices here in Zermatt is their 17.50 chf all-you-can-eat 4-course dinner. It may not be fine dining, but it’s easy, convenient and fills the belly.
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I forgot to add that while eating breakfast at the hostel this morning, I’m looking at the Matterhorn — wow!
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Oh, Youth Hostels are great, and I think the Zermatt one is among the finest. If you go to Lausanne, you would be safe staying there.
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< I’m looking at the Matterhorn — wow! >
You were lucky. It could have been otherwise (see the attachment)!
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Thank you, Kim. We really appreciate your input. Months ago when trying to decide between Murren and Wengen, your guide was a gift from heaven. We’ll definitely check out your suggestions for eateries.
We’re sorry to miss the Alpabzug in Wengen, but we lucked out while in Appenzell. I’m guessing that it’s little different in each area, but in Appenzell it was a pretty laid-back affair. The decorated goats, small herd of cows with their huge bells (but no flower headdresses), costumed children & (singing) men, etc. proceeded slowly along the very narrow main street. We had to flatten ourselves against the wall, but were in no danger because unlike the Pamplona bulls, these “girls” were in no hurry. Apparently, one cow wandered into a shop a few years ago, hopefully unlike the proverbial bulll.
It’s another glorious day in Zermatt. Fingers crossed for some good weather in Wengen. Being from Seattle, though, we’re very equipped to deal with it. However, it rained all 3 days we were in Luzern and was so socked in that we wonder whether Mt. Pilatus & Mt. Rigi even exist. One benefit: we didn’t have to choose between them.