Au Vieux-Navire is in the village of Buchillon, and I only heard about it because of a colleague's…read morerecommendation. I have come to like one of the regional specialties, filets de perche, and my colleague said that the best was at Vieux-Navire. Was she ever right! There are five preparations of the perche in two different serving sizes offered, as well as a larger serving with three different preparations. I had the classic with fries, and it was delicious! The fish tastes fresh and is cooked just right, with a nice buttery flavor. The accompanying tartar sauce is great. The fries are good, though perhaps not as crisp as I prefer. I ordered the larger serving, which is done in two services. This is an added value, as the second serving is nice and hot when you get it.
With the perche dish comes a simple yet very tasty starter salad (the dressing is delicious). Even the bread and the olives served when you sit down are very good!
While the perche is the specialty of the house, the restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, including steaks, which looked very good.
There are some very nice dessert options. I got a chocolate cake (there's a lot more to it than that, but the menu is only in French), while my friend got the profiteroles. Both were absolutely delicious and almost artistic in their presentation.
Prices at the restaurant are quite reasonable for Switzerland. Yes it may seem pricey if you're crossing the border from France, but for a restaurant on the Swiss side of Lake Geneva, prices are very fair for the quality, quantity, and service you receive.
Speaking of, service at the restaurant is fantastic. For non-French speakers, a couple of the staff speak English. Overall the staff was friendly and attentive. There was always someone walking by to check on you. Also for a restaurant in Switzerland (where dinner can easily exceed three hours), service was very fast. We sat, ordered, and finished our salad and two-service main course within 40 minutes. We stayed longer because we wanted to, but it's nice to have the flexibility of a shorter evening if you prefer.
The ambiance of the restaurant is also a highlight. It's small and feels cozy, with a bit of a nautical theme. I can't wait to go back when the weather is better and the terrace overlooking the lake is open!
