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Le Marina and Its Consuming Quaintness

Almost hidden behind a wall of green, emulating the colours of the lake that it neighbours, Le Marina dots the scenic and serene walkway that runs alongside Lac Léman in Vevey.

Its location is quite iconic, by association. As you walk towards it from the centre of the town, you must first cross Chaplin looking out towards the magnificent Alps, visible on a clear day like today, in the distance. Then, there is the Alimentarium (the food museum) with its, now touristy, Fork. Protruding out of Lake Geneva. If you miss the restaurant, and that’s entirely possible considering the views are breathtaking, you’ll eventually come across Hotel du Lac, the residence that formed the basis and title of Anita Brookner’s Booker Prize-winning novel (and one that I had only recently finished in preparation of the trip).

le-marina-chaplin-fork

There’s something quaint about this place; a small children’s garden on one side to keep the active ones at bay, the pebbled walkway and porch with a few tables that on most days would be perfect for lovers taking a break from walking hand in hand along the lake, but on this day welcomed mostly families out and about on a bright and sunny Swiss afternoon.

The service at Le Marina is efficient, and it’s not long before the order has been placed. I point this out to my friend – a local – comparing it to some of the more laid back experiences we had at restaurants in Zermatt and Lauterbrunnen. She shrugs and then almost hesitantly – because it is still Switzerland after all – suggests that maybe it’s like that in the Swiss-German regions. We are presently in the Swiss-French part of the country.

Le Marina is the type of place that attracts regulars. There’s a place to sit inside, but that’s not where the chirping of the birds will fill up those conversational silences.  And then, weather permitting, why would anyone in their right mind want to miss out on taking in the cool breeze that glides over the blue waters and hits you with the kind of freshness that one often witnesses in adverts of soaps.

le-marina-cheesecake

Crêpes, on a transparent plate, sprinkled with a hint of powdered sugar, containing a generous spread of Nutella, oozing out from the sides even before the slightest pressure is applied via a knife. They – the other one filled with the saltiness of Swiss cheese – contrast and photograph well with the chequered tablecloth background. Tempting in their looks, another round of the same is ordered even before the first bite is taken.

The drink – Spuma Nera – is something new and unique to me; full of flavours – myrtle leaf, orange zest, and rhubarb, I confirm later – that I’ve never had before, but glad that I’m having now. It’s not long before my son discovers it too, and having a few of his father’s genes grabs hold of the bottle claiming that hereon he is the rightful owner and thus no one else would have even a drop of what’s left. We’ll have another one of those then as well I guess.

le-marina-drink

As the conversation jingle-jangles between days that have gone by and plans for the last few remaining, I can hear the laughter of my kids in the background as they make the most of the park in sight. In the distance, barely visible, a group of young teenagers shout in merriment as their homemade boat sways on the water of the lake, for today – after almost a week of rains – it plays host to pedal-boats so colourful and bright that the sun’s rays bounce off them and hurt the eyes.

As we sit there eating in between sips of coffee and juice, a sudden realisation sets in; it seems that even after a decade of being together, my wife and I continue to have different tastes – not complaining about it – as she orders a cheese-cake for dessert. While I adore cheese to the extent that I wouldn’t mind being a mouse in my next life, provided I get an endless supply of this beautiful “invention”, a cheese-cake is something that I’ve never really enjoyed, ever, until now that is.

So gentle that it breaks off as I slide my fork a few inches off the pointy end of the triangle and so creamy that I wonder if I should convert into a cheese-cake eating being or simply cherish this memory and never eat cheese-cake again, to keep its sanctity alive. Oh! The dilemmas we face in life.

As we leave, little birds descend on to our table – almost like they would in a Disney movie – and nibble on the leftovers, chirping even louder, no longer afraid of our lingering presence. We sit there a while longer, satisfied; yet, I’m filled with a little sadness for food today has evoked one realisation after another – Yes! That’s how powerful it can be.

le-marina-birds

Le Marina is the kind of charming place I’d love to call my own. A comforting nook in a city I want to visit as often as possible. It’s not just about the food but the aura that the restaurant exudes which captivates me. The melancholy feeling transcends, partly because our Swiss vacation nears its end, and Switzerland had been nothing but a revelation for me.

I know I might never visit this place again, but you, yes you, the one reading this now, you can make Le Marina your own, for a little while at least, if you find yourself strolling by the lake, hand in hand or now, in this gem of a town in the Swiss Rivera, called Vevey.

40 Comments

  • plaidshirtdiaries
    Posted 6 December, 16 at 9:32 PM

    Great post! I haven’t made it to Vevey yet, but now it’s definitely on my list.

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 6 December, 16 at 11:54 PM

      Thanks and it’s got quite a few places to visit. Lovely little town.

      Reply
  • blondemoments
    Posted 8 December, 16 at 8:00 PM

    looks like a really peaceful place and then the crêpes!!!! my favorit dessert of all time!!! 🙂

    Reply
  • chanelle
    Posted 8 December, 16 at 8:23 PM

    haha the food is so good even the birds can’t stay away. I’m a fan of quaint little places like this, but the majority of the time that means the service is often a little more laid back, so it’s great to hear the service here was efficient. It looks darling!

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 9 December, 16 at 10:47 AM

      Yeah the service was quite professional without being snobbish. Thanks

      Reply
  • natalietanner
    Posted 8 December, 16 at 9:13 PM

    Oh, a nutella crepe. I had my first one in Madrid and it was incredible!! I want one right now. 😉

    Reply
  • Iza Abao, Two Monkeys Travel Group Writer
    Posted 9 December, 16 at 1:16 PM

    I love crepes with Nutella and banana filling. It is so delicious. I would love to eat at this place. It has a nice little garden and looks comfy. I love the blue plates too. = )

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 9 December, 16 at 2:34 PM

      Yeah the blue plates were really nice and matched the ambience. I’m not a banana fan but the rest I love.

      Reply
  • Nadine Rohner
    Posted 9 December, 16 at 1:17 PM

    oh wow I would love to have a nutella crepe right now. It looks so yummy.

    Reply
  • Abigail
    Posted 9 December, 16 at 6:08 PM

    It looks like a beautiful place to eat. I love the crepes and cheesecakes – these are among my favorite desserts!

    Reply
  • leahshoup
    Posted 9 December, 16 at 10:35 PM

    OMG THE NUTELLA CREPE. I wasn’t hungry before reading this, but sure am now! I think I would eat myself into a food coma at this place.

    Reply
  • Kreete
    Posted 10 December, 16 at 4:15 AM

    Nutella crepes for a main and a cheese cake for dessert? I like your style. I am eating belgian chocolate in bed for breakfast haha! And I always do the same with any kind of drink I like! As your son, I claim to be the rightful owner haha! You have a great way of writing things. I really enjoyed reading this. Going to have to get nutella crepes now.

    Reply
  • Neha Verma
    Posted 10 December, 16 at 7:43 AM

    What a beautiful romantic place .. I absolutely loved the the way the birds come over to eat from your plate.

    Reply
  • justonewayticket
    Posted 10 December, 16 at 10:47 AM

    Beautiful photos and the food looks so yummy. Now I want crepes!

    Reply
  • 100cobbledroads
    Posted 10 December, 16 at 11:11 AM

    The location is superb and the restaurant itself looks divine. Your description of the dishes are making me very hungry.

    Reply
  • Vicki Garside
    Posted 10 December, 16 at 5:27 PM

    Such a cute little place and it must be awesome if you can’t keep the birds away! And those crepes.. YUM!

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 10 December, 16 at 5:52 PM

      Yeah, although I am sure cleaning after the birds is a huge hassle for those who work there.

      Reply
  • Lillie
    Posted 10 December, 16 at 11:42 PM

    Hah! I love this line: “Even after a decade of being together, my wife and I continue to have dissimilar tastes.” So sweet! My husband and I are similar (though we haven’t been together as long, yet), but it’s very convenient! Anyway, Le Marina looks fabulous… especially that crepe!

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 11 December, 16 at 8:33 AM

      Thanks and yeah it’s good to have similar tastes but also nice when we are different because then we get to try new things. All the best.

      Reply
  • Love and Road (@LoveandRoad)
    Posted 11 December, 16 at 2:43 AM

    This looks great! Who could say no to Crepes, right? Yummy!

    Reply
  • Holly
    Posted 11 December, 16 at 6:03 AM

    Love crepes. Yummy. The bird was so cute.

    Reply
  • Gokul Raj
    Posted 11 December, 16 at 1:19 PM

    OK the pics and the narration has left me drooling. 😛 Crepes is something I really need to try out sometime.

    Reply
  • Sandy N Vyjay
    Posted 12 December, 16 at 10:36 AM

    The place looks charming. The Chaplin statue adds to the entire atmosphere of the place. I think a great place to spend some quite time over some great looking crepes.

    Reply
  • Mr Mike
    Posted 12 December, 16 at 12:35 PM

    Spuma Nera sounds absolutely delightful and I’ve never heard of it before either! Love the view of the Alps too. Le Marina looks like a wonderful place to stop by for a bite

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 12 December, 16 at 12:52 PM

      Cheers and yeah the drink was quite refreshing and lovely flavours.

      Reply
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