We know we’re not the only ones who love a good cheese pull. As the weather gets cooler, the French are digging into their favorite après-ski dishes: raclette, fondue, and aligot. And we know where to get the best of all three.

1. Fondue

Fondue is classic wintertime fare in France and Switzerland. A bubbling pot of melted cheese thinned with a touch of wine or kirsch is set in the middle of the table, and diners dip bits of slightly stale bread into the vat to enjoy.

Most fondue joints make both this cheese fondue, known as fondue savoyarde, as well as a meatier version from Burgundy that calls for cubes of meat to be plunged into a simmering pot of oil or broth and then dipped in a variety of sauces. These classics are both on offer at Pain, Vin, Fromages, which also offers some unique spins including a Camembert fondue – not for the faint of heart!

Pain, Vin, Fromages – 3 Rue Geoffroy l’Angevin, 75004

2. Raclette

Raclette’s name comes from the verb racler, meaning “to scrape.” To enjoy it, a half-wheel of eponymous raclette cheese is placed over a hot plate, and diners periodically scrape the melted cheese onto plates of potatoes, pickles, and ham. It’s an experience as much as it is a meal, and as far as we’re concerned, there’s nowhere better to enjoy it than Chalet Savoyard. Not only is the restaurant decked out just like a traditional chalet, but the menu boasts a host of different cheese and charcuterie options, like smoked cheese or truffled ham.

Chalet Savoyard – 58 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris

3. Aligot

Two comfort food classics meet in the Cantal with aligot, a combination of mashed potatoes and decadent melted cheese. Aligot is a side dish on offer with most of the mains at Le Plomb du Cantal, where it’s made to order in a copper pot and served tableside so you can really enjoy the cheese pull before digging in!

Le Plomb du Cantal – 3 Rue de la Gaité, 75014

Top Photo by angela pham on UnsplashC