A la Colthard/Boccaccio and la Colombe d’Or
The past few days I have visited two of my favourite restaurants: Boccacio in the centre of Nice (rue Masséna) and la Colombe d’or in St. Paul de Vence, a 30 minute drive outside Nice.
I walked straight past Boccacio because – as I remembered it – it never had an open air street terrace.
It transpired that the restaurant has had a massive refurb – more like a facelift. The ground floor conservatory style restaurant has gone and the upper floor is reached by a curbed staircase with a glass banister and is now raised.
There is a lift those with mobility issues would ascend and descend the staircase with some difficulty. The upper level is lighter and more modernist.
I saw a tall gent dining on an adjacent table catch his head on an overhead light and then miss the step and stumble.
In reality they must have spent at least £50,000 and it is no better. The food and service had thankfully stayed at the same level.
We had oysters and prawns; I went for seas bass, my companion a sole; I had a ‘floating island’ for desert and all washed down with a Bandol rosé.
The bill was €261 (approximately £250). which is what you would pay – probably more for 2 in a top class UK fish restaurant.
The Colombe d’Or has never let me down though I have never stayed there.
It was warm enough to sit on the terrace.
I had to have the enormous hors d’oeuvres which must be 20 plates of goodies from anchovies to rice salads to boudin. They also bring a basket of raw vegetables.
Frankly, this is enough for the Daffer’s tummy so I ordered loup, a white fish, with a divine creamy mousseline sauce.
One of its many attractions alongside a world class picture collection in the interior dining room is that they offer house rosé in the main menu (€30) and the final bill came to €215; it’s always such a wonderful experience which attracts the Great and the Good from all over the world.
