Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and Malagasy influence, with dishes such as grouper in pink peppercorn sauce, barbequed
prawns and garlic calamari. It's a funky dining environment, with Chinese lanterns and
multicoloured walls and tablecloths. A faux flame burns in a dangling cast-iron pot, and
rows of home-brewed fruit-flavoured rum sit in big plastic pots on the low-lit bar.
La Gourmandise
FRENCH €€
(Cnr Place Foch & Blvd Etienne; mains Ar10,000-18,000; Fri-Wed) Run by the for-
midable Nicolas, Frenchman, bon vivant and globe-trotting chef, La Gourmandise serves
dishes true to its owner's origins: tripe
à la mode de Caen
(stewed tripe), prawns
à la
Provençale
(in garlic and tomato sauce) or zebu steak with blue cheese sauce. Service can
be slow, but the food is worth the wait.
La Terrasse du Voyageur
MALAGASY €€€
( 82 240 63;
www.terrasseduvoyageur-hotel.com
;
Rue du Mozambique; set menus
Ar20,000; dinner) The restaurant at La Terrasse du Voyageur sits on the eponymous
terrace with sweeping views of Diego. It's a cosy and convivial space, with a TV lounge, a
library, a bar and live music every Friday. The food is a set taster menu of Malagasy dishes;
portions are gargantuan and the food delicious, and the menu is good value. The restaurant
is only open for dinner and you must book (by lunchtime at the latest).
La Rosticceria
ITALIAN €€
(47 Rue Colbert; mains Ar12,000-18,000) Mmm, this Italian restaurant has a fantastic se-
lection of risottos, gnocchi, lasagne and fresh-made tagliatelle and spaghettis with pesto,
cream,meatorseafoodsauces.Theambienceisasdeliciousasthefood,withownerAdelio
singing his heart away to Italian hits. The restaurant decor follows a nautical theme, with
intricately carved wooden vessels and old maps for decoration. Outside tables sit on the
sidewalk. Save room for coffee and dessert: both the real espresso and the creamy gelato
are marvellous.
Pâtisserie Le Grand Hôtel
BAKERY €
(Le Grand Hôtel, Rue Colbert; cakes & sandwiches Ar1000-Ar10,000; 6am-9.30pm)
Thisexcellentbakerydoublesupasacafethat'spopularwithtourists.It'sagreatchoicefor
an economical and light breakfast or a cheap lunch of salad or sandwich. There are some
lovely pastries, too, which you can devour with real espresso.
Score
SUPERMARKET
