A la Colthard
GRAND HOTEL DU CAP FERRAT
Whilst unquestionably a hotel that justifies its name in terms of location, elegance and amenity and one we always visit every year they were a bit naughty with their pricing. 14 Euros for a latte? Come on!!! After being charged 60 euros just to use the pool!!!
Admittedly, the pool looking out over the rocks to the sea is fabulous and we were blessed with fine weather. We took the funicular lift to the terrace restaurant to the hotel above. My fish coup was not hot enough but the Swiss beef tender. The profiteroles were delicious. The sun went in, a glacial wind came out and they supplied us girls with shawls and exterior heater. My assessment that the service and location were superior to food and wine unjustified by its excessive price.
OLIVEIRA
This is a small restaurant in the old town majoring in olive oil. The owner Nadim friendly to the point of being over familiar, explains the menu and what oil he applies in some tedious detail. I opted for an avocado salad doused in an olive oil and he seemed offended that Polly preferred her salad without any oil. My main was the local dish of daube-beef stewed in rich red wine and tomato sauce on ravioli. For pud I chose apple crumble. Even this Nadim tried to drizzle in some olive oil!! This was 40 euros per head with half a bottle of red.
BEAU RIVAGE
Along the Promenade des Anglais are a succession of beach bars. The day was still hot and sunny and one of them seemed a ideal place for lunch after some retail therapy on the Rue Messina. I chose the Beau Rivage though the Blue Beach further down the Promenade is my favourite. Again I had fish soup, had to wait nearly an hour for my slice of sea bass and concluded with zabaglione. In front of me liked some latter day King Canute a diner sat facing the waves. Part of the hotel Beau Rivage and not cheap at 80 euros it was nonetheless a lovely location by the sea.
MERENDA
We try to vary high end dining with a local Nicois restaurant du quartier. I chose Merenda mistaking it for Lou Pistou next door where we went last year. The problem like many of the restaurants in the old town was its minuscule size means cramped discomfort. We had a table by the kitchen and I was perched on a pouffe!!! Hearty food at a reasonable price but suffers from discomfort is my verdict.
