21.06.2011 | BLUE WINGS

Blue Wings: Cosy eats in Nice

Nice, the unofficial capital of the French Riviera, offers fresh tastes from sunkissed tomatoes to seafood, but visitors can sometimes get tripped up by its tourist-oriented restaurant scene.

1. Côté Marais
Tucked inside a former wine shop in Nice’s old town, this tiny restaurant adorned with candles and gold-framed mirrors goes by a straightforward philosophy: to serve pure, top-quality and affordable French cuisine (a three-course dinner menu costs €31). Try the asparagus with poached egg and parmesan or the fillet of lamb with peanut sauce, and let the staff recommend a wine from the restaurant’s extensive, frequently changing list. Reservations are strongly recommended.
4 rue Pontin
Reservations for 8:15 and 10:30 pm seatings
+33 (0)4 9380-9539

2. Coco beach
This seaside fish restaurant was started in 1936 by local entrepreneur Jean-Baptiste Coco and is currently in its third generation of family ownership. Some items, such as the mussles in lobster sauce (€14) and the bouillabaisse (€60), are Coco’s own recipes. Pick out a local fish, priced by the gram (try the spiky oreo) and enjoy it grilled with a simple side salad.
2 avenue Jean-Lorrain
+33 (0)4 9389-3926
http://www.cocobeachrestaurant.com/

3. Darlington
Finnish-born chef Nixu Plummer and wife Anne-Charlotte offer a menu of world-inspired French cuisine at this unfussy bistro. The goat cheese salad (€8/€12), the hamburger and the chef’s risotto (both €14) come recommended. The couple closes the restaurant for the month of August to spend their summer holiday in Finland.
11 rue Delille
+33 (0)4 9387-9232
http://www.darlington-bistro.com/

4. Oliviera
To connoisseurs, the flavours of olive oil can be as intricate as those of wine. Nadim Berouti, owner of this old town gem, encourages patrons to sniff the locally produced oils, of which he carries anywhere between six and 16 varieties, depending on the season. Delicate palates may discover hints of banana, or freshly mowed lawn. The menu features local ingredients, and the location is ideal for people-watching.
8 Bis rue du Collet
+33(0)4 9313-0645
http://www.oliviera.com/

5. Casa mia
Nice’s old town has plenty of run-of-the-mill Italian-inspired establishments, but Casa Mia is known among some culinarists for serving the best pastas in town. The spaghetti with truffle, mascarpone cheese and Parma ham is a delectable exercise in decadence. Opt for the pasta and dessert lunch deal (€15.50).
4 rue Pontin
+33 (0)4 9385-5172
www.casamianice.com (In French)

Text by Laura Palotie

The story is originally published in Blue Wings 6/2011. Blue Wings is produced by Sanoma Magazines Finland Custom Publishing for Finnair. Read the magazine at www.digipaper.fi/bluewings