A la Colthard
I always enjoy the Rust trip to Nice. March and April supposedly spring can be cold and windy in the UK whilst it is 15 degrees here.
On our first night we went to La Petite Maison. I too was overwhelmed by the warmth of welcome of its owner Nicole as her rudeness is legendary and only matched by her unhelpfulness. “Table on the terrace? No problem come whenever you wish. ”
I ordered escargots, the most delicious I have ever tasted, followed by a scrumptious lobster linguine. The service was impeccable and we were given gratis a small carafe of Limoncello. It’s about 60€ per head. La Petite Maison is now a world wide chain. There is one next to Claridges. It has championed Mediterranean food in general and Nicois in particular.
Boccacio off Place Massena is widely regarded as the best fish restaurant in Nice. I did not care for the service; they refused to make a salad nicoise for Polly; and the first courses did not arrive together.
Grania was delighted that the ‘vase explosion’ a concoction of chantilly cream, brownies and chocolate was still on the menu. The service may be random but my 6 oysters, filleted sea bream with truffle mash and pineapple carpaccio were divine. It was 60 Euro per head.
It’s always a pleasure to eat on the terrace of the Colombe d’Or. Opened as a three room inn by Paul Roux it became a haven for artists and Roux built a collection of Picassdos, Braque, Leger, Matisse and a Sean Scully mural by the pool.
I’m no expert but I thought this collection overshadowed that of the Maeght Foundation. I’ve heard the Colombe D’Or called touristy and overpriced but I don’t agree. The twenty-plate hors d’oeuvres is to die for and I followed this with sea bass. I do like the fact that there is no pompous sommelier arriving with a Doomsday book of expensive wine but then large sized menu just offers house wine. The ambience of a terrace with orange and lemon trees adds to the gastro experience. This was more expensive than la Petite Maison at 90 Euros per head.
We were happy to sit in the covered terrace where could hear live 60s music from the cafe next door. I ordered fried calamari, a juicy collation of seafood and roasted veg followed by Daube, a Nice specialty of rich meat stew like boeuf bourguignon on a bed of ravioli. With wine this came out at 33 eurôs per head.
Our dark haired waiter reminded me of a young Alan Bates and had us girls in a swoon!!!
