FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 524

those in the courtyard, but expect some smokers outside. The €23 menu is a terrific value
(€10-15 starters and €15-30 plats , great fruit-salad dessert, open daily, look for the square
red sign at 5 Rue Masséna, tel. [phone]).
Villa d'Este has the same owners as the recommended La Voglia (listed earlier, under
“In Vieux Nice”). The portions are big, the price is right, and the quality is tops (daily, on a
busy pedestrian street at 6 Rue Masséna, tel. [phone]).
Near Promenade des Anglais
(See “Nice Restaurants” map, here . )
Worthwhile restaurants are few and far between in this area. Either head for Vieux Nice or
try one of these good places.
Cavedel'Origine isafind,andwouldbeevenawayfromthetouristfray.KindIsabelle
and her English-speaking staff welcome you to their cozy wine shop/ bistrot. Isabelle pre-
pares fresh, homemade dishes and finds the perfect wines to match. She features original
cuisine from many areas in France (especially the southwest), made with regional, fresh
ingredients (€7-11 starters, €16-21 plats, open Tue-Sat for lunch and dinner, reservations
smart, indoor seating only; wine shop open Tue-Sat 10:00-20:00, closed Sun-Mon; 3 Rue
Dalpozzo, tel. [phone]).
On Place Grimaldi: This square nurtures a lineup of appealing restaurants with good in-
door and outdoor seating along a broad sidewalk under tall, leafy sycamore trees. Crêperie
Bretonne is the only crêperie I list in Nice (€8 dinner crêpes, closed Sun, 3 Place Grimaldi,
tel.[phone]). LeGrimaldi ispopularforitscaféfare(€14pasta,€15-25 plats ,closed
Sun, 1 Place Grimaldi, tel. [phone]).
Chantecler has Nice's most prestigious address—inside the Hôtel Negresco. This is
everything a luxury restaurant should be: elegant, soft, and top quality. If your trip is ending
in Nice, call or email for reservations—you've earned this splurge ( menus from €90, closed
Mon-Tue, 37 Promenade des Anglais, tel. [phone], [e-mail] ) .
Near the Train Station
(See “Nice Restaurants” map, here . )
Both of the following restaurants, a block below the train station, provide good indoor and
outdoor seating as well as excellent value.
Voyageur Nissart has blended good-value cuisine with cool Mediterranean ambience
and friendly service since 1908. Current owner Max is a great host, and the quality of his
cuisine makes this a good choice for travelers on any budget—try the wonderful €14 filet de
rouget à la niçoise or the fine €8 salade niçoise (€17 three-course menus, good plats from
€11, inexpensive wines, closed Mon, 19 Rue d'Alsace-Lorraine, tel. [phone]).