Looking for places to dine in Nice or nearby. Something along the lines of gastronomic or bistronomic place with good wine list and service. In the past few years we dined at Pure & V (loved 2022, less so 2024), Jan (a bit too formal but the cheese course is memorable). Last year we found Les Agitateurs ok, but underwhelming. Previously we also drove to Hostellerie Jerome which was great but a bit too long of a dinner , and a fancy one at the top of The Maybourne Riviera which was just ok. In 2022 we had a very tasty dinner at L’Eau de vie in Nice.
So far I am looking at:
La Cantine de Mémé
Le Lavomatique
L’Alchemie
But do need at least one more. I am not opposed to michelin * places either but would prefer to avoid an overly formal or over the top trendy place.
And we prefer seafood but will eat some meat.
Lavomatique is interesting, perhaps a bit too self-conscious for its own good. The food and atmosphere are definitely something that you can find in Paris, with a little bit of Mediterranean swashbuckling thrown in (cooks in white t-shirts brightly lit like chorus girls behind the counter).
Don’t ever let them sit you at one of the tiny folding tables against the wall, ask for countertop seats when reserving. Countertop is for the oligarchs from Monte Carlo and the folding tables are for the hoi polloi.
I haven’t been yet to La Cantine de Mémé or L’Alchimie, but I like Peixes, Le Bistrot d’Antoine, Le Comptoir du Marché, and I’m planning to go to Le Café des Musiciens next time I go to Nice (if I don’t just go to La Merenda every single day, that is).
Actually, I recommend crossing the border and heading to Romolo Amarea in Bordighera.
The Armand Crespo restaurants mentioned are always a good value for money. I believe the Peixes Opera may be a better choice given your criteria, as the Bonaparte location is in a busy, trendy area and I heard it is better (I’ve only dined on Bonaparte). It was good but I perhaps enjoy his other concepts more.
Pur et V had a chef change a couple years ago, which explains your change in experience. Flaveur may suit, or Onice.
I really like Cantine de MeMe but please don’t spread the word . The menu is very limited for a person seeking fish. L’Achimie still remains a good value. The chef from Hostellerie Jerome now has Racines (Bruno Cirino). It is now a vegetable-centric tasting menu and the full experience is long (but relatively casual and low key). I’ve got some other meals planned coming up, like MarMar, I quite enjoyed Spark too but it is the most un-French alternative possible.
Thank you for your suggestions! I was looking at Peixes and could not figure out which location to go to! I have been always interested in going to Piexes but never had a chance!
I was looking at Racines, Flaveur, and Onice but was not that enticed by those.
. The menu is very limited for a person seeking fish. L’Achimie still remains a good value. The chef from Hostellerie Jerome now has Racines (Bruno Cirino). It is now a vegetable-centric tasting menu and the full experience is long (but relatively casual and low key). I’ve got some other meals planned coming up, like MarMar, I quite enjoyed Spark too but it is the most un-French alternative possible.
