When visiting Zermatt Resort in Midway, dining at Schneitter’s restaurant (see Dining, p. 31) is the most obvious—and priciest—option. But Zermatt offers other appealing eating opportunities as well. This past New Year’s Eve, my wife and I found ourselves enjoying a toned-down (until the Jägermeister kicked in, at least) celebration with newly made friends at the cozy bar above Matty’s Bistro, which overlooks the lobby of the Hotel der Baer at Zermatt.

Matty’s Bistro is a comfy, informal place to dine, featuring a pub-style menu of sandwiches, pizzas, salads, appetizers and a few entrees such as veggie penne pasta ($14) and roasted salmon with teriyaki glaze ($20). It’s hard to top an appetizer like Matty’s Rosti Boats: Potato boats stuffed with Gruyere and toasted pine nuts and served with a marinara sauce for dipping. There’s also a tempting half-pound buffalo burger at Matty’s for $12 and a tasty classic Reuben, as well as a four-cheese and Black Forest ham sandwich ($14).

But the best menu item at Matty’s—and who’d have thought you’d find this in Midway—is the brick-oven pizza. It’s an authentic, New York-style pizza with a nicely charred crust, high-quality cheese, and in our case, Italian sausage ($13). I highly recommend grabbing a table or a stool at Matty’s bar, ordering a glass of wine, and noshing on that tremendous pizza pie between rounds of pool.

For a light breakfast, lunch or snack, visit Zermatt’s quaint European bakery and gelateria, called Bäckerei & Eis. I enjoyed a superb ham and Gruyere croissant there, right from the oven, along with freshly squeezed orange juice. The bakery/gelateria/tea room has a circus-tentlike ceiling, and the cozy eating area is decorated with collectable Swiss teapots and clocks. It’s really a nifty little spot for a sandwich, croissant or Éclair, homemade confections, or freshly made gelato.

MATTY’S BISTRO

BACKEREI & EIS
nZermatt Resort, 784 West Resort Drive, Midway, 866-643-2015, ZermattResort.com