Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
La Varangue
INTERNATIONAL €€€
( 22 273 97;
www.tana-hotel.com
;
17 Rue Prince Ratsimamanga; mains
Ar21,000-35,000; ) Currently the best address in the city for real gourmet cuisine, La
Varangue has achieved a fantastic reputation thanks to kitchen maestro Lalaina Ravelo-
manana. The menu, an elaborate melange of French gastronomy and Malagasy flavours,
is concise, but the dishes are truly divine. Lalaina is a chocolate specialist, so make sure
you leave space for dessert: the ice cream explosion - a dark-chocolate sphere filled with
the creamiest chocolate ice cream you've ever had - is sheer ambrosia. Meals are served
either in the beautiful dining room, with its low lighting and antique furniture, or the ter-
race, which overlooks the hotel's charming garden.
Le Café de la Gare
INTERNATIONAL €€€
(
www.cafetana.com
;
Gare Soarano; mains Ar16,000-19,000; ) The fabulous Café de la
Gare is the flagship of the beautifully renovated Soarano train station. Inside, you'll feel
as if you've just been transported to a brasserie at Paris' Gare du Nord, just even more
beautiful. In the evenings, the open fire, candle-lit tables, magnificent chandeliers and low
hubbub from Tana's cool crowd give it an exclusive feel. The food is stupendous too, with
well-executed international staples such as prawn curry, zebu burger, pan-fried fish etc. On
Sunday, brunch is served between 11am and 3pm.
Le Saka
FUSION €€
( 22 358 09; Hôtel Sakamanga, Rue Andrianary Ratianarivo; mains Ar1100-18,000)
Striking the perfect balance between gastro French and straightforward local cooking, Le
Saka is a Tana institution. The restaurant is housed in a gorgeous wooden house full of old
black-and-white photos and local artwork. The chef whips up some mighty desserts using
Malagasy chocolate. Make sure you finish your meal with a house rum or coconut punch.
Le Petit Verdot
FRENCH €€
(27 Rue Rahamefy; mains Ar12,000-18,000; lunch & dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat) This
tiny red-brick bistro, spread over three floors from cellar to mezzanine, scores high on
homey atmosphere and hearty French food. The foie gras is terrific, there is a fantastic se-
lection of meat and fish dishes, and the wine selection is the best in Madagascar (261 ref-
erences from around the world, including some local vintages).
La Terrasse du Glacier
MALAGASY €€
