Coquillages and Crustaces

On Sunday we visited a restaurant that we had passed many times and had wondered about.

The Coquillages & Crustaces is on the right as you exit the Parking Du Port, in St Tropez, towards St Maxime.

It is tucked away behind their area where they have large water tanks where one can by living lobsters and crabs.

We were stunned to find a beautiful planked terrace overlooking the bay with a view of the port and of St Maxime.

They offer a large variety of fish and seafood but no meat. We were tempted by the big Spider Crabs but in the end went for fish.

We both started with Moules Farcis and then shared a plaice. This fish was presented to us before cooking and we were surprised at its size at 1.2 KG!!

It was served boned onto our plates and was accompanied by a rice rissoto and mixed vegetables. To put over the fish we were supplied with almonds in a sauce.

The meal was terrific and the service both very pleasant and efficient. The view was indeed amazing!

Would recommend to anyone who isn't on a budget.

Mr.L. 1/03/2012

Auron & Isola 2000

As if it was not so unseasonally cold down here on the coast we decided that we would spend a few days up in the mountains to enjoy the ski resorts and watch the skiers.

We selected Auron , just behind Nice and an hour up the mountain road, as it is a nice small resort with an ice rink in the middle of it When we got there there was good snow and the roads were clear, however it was pretty quiet and not buzzy

The drive up from Nice is epic with beautiful scenery and winding mountain roads.

During our stay we drove over to Isola 2000, which is a bigger resort but one we have kept away from because of the big grey, factory like, building in its centre. Imagine our surprise to find that they had clad it in wood and painted the rest in a nice colour! What a difference,

Isola has a great nursery slope, as well as many more difficult runs. There were lots of people on the piste and we could see the large number of wooden chalets that had been put up over the last years. All in all a great improvement.

Our dog, Micha , loved the snow but kept chasing the skiers as she obviously thought it a game!

We had lunch in the middle of the main piste at a restaurant called the Cow Club, which I have visited several times before It was lovely to see skiers skiing right up to it and taking off their skis. Imagine my delight when they were offering a rack of spare ribs in a delightful sauce with saffron rice. Truly delicious

These resorts are easily reached from Uk with Easyjet flying into Nice and then just over an hour up into the mountains

Mr.L 12/02/2012

THE MILANO FREJUS

Last week we went to the Milano restaurant, on the seafront at Frejus. This was with the Gourmet luncheon club that we are members of.

Normally we are given a fixed menu with just a few choices for each course. This time we were offered the whole menu to select from.

This was really good as this restaurant is well known in the area and specialises in sea food.

I started with my favourite Moules Farcis, which was great except that at this time of year the mussels are a tad small as the Spanish ones seem to be out of season

Being a Gourmet lunch I decided to go exotic, for the main course, and had a platter consisting of half a lobster, half a crab, a bowl of unpicked shrimps, about a dozen unpeeled prawns and a load of crayfish.

This all came on a bed of ice and was complete with a nice garlic flavoured mayonaisse dip.

Need I mention that I could not eat it all, however I finally solicited some help from friends on the table.

I did, however, manage a sugared pancake to complete the meal!!!!

Back to the diet!!!

A lovely restaurant with great service and a great ambiance.

Mr.L. 06/02/2012

Le Mas St Donat

This restaurant is situated on the road coming down from Le Muy to St Maxime and is set back off the road.

We have passed it hundreds of times over the years but never tried it, until we visited just after Christmas and again last week.

The occasion was our regular dining club meeting, VIAC, that we belong to and I must say the place is very welcoming and the food excellent.

I started with Cassolette de Fruit de Mere which was full of prawns, sqid and white fish and was in deed delicious. I followed with Confit du Canard which was very tasty and the meat was literally falling off the bone. This was followed by a lovely fruit tart which went down very well and after such a delicious lunch we headed home for me to take a siesta!!

Need I say that I ate little in the evening!!

Mr.L. 24/1/2012

ILE SAINT HONOARAT

On Saturday we decided to take a trip to Cannes and meet up with a Brazilian friend and her lovely daughter for lunch. They had already decided to take a boat trip to the island of Saint Honorat for lunch. This is the smaller of the two islands and is owned by the Abbey and Monks that inhabit the island.

The trip out took about 20 minutes and the weather was delightful. Our dog Micha freaked a little at the floor vibrating beneath her feet, however she soon got used to it.

The island has just one restaurant and a small port and during the summer the restaurant is crowded with day trippers and people from boats moored off the island.

Needless to say the restaurant, La Tonnelle, is expensive as it is the only one on the island and it sells only its own wines grown and produced on the island. The service is very fast and friendly.

Around the island are many bays for sunbathing and swimming and there is a flat pathway surrounding the whole island which makes for a great walk.

The island is dominated by the Abbey which is huge and surrounded by vineyards and is very attractive. We were told that one can actually stay in the Abbey for a visit.

All in all a GREAT day. Would certainly recommend.


Mr.L. 22/01/2012

L'Emeraude

Last Sunday we went to help my mother in law, in Cavalaire, with her TV and at the same time went out to lunch with her and her partner Harold to the port to seek lunch.

Our normal favourite, THe Comptoir, was closed for the winter and many other restaurants were also closed.


We were lucky enough to find a seafood restaurant open on its final day of the season. They had a menue at €35 which looked very inviting.

Three of us had the home made fois gras shown above and another the excellent fish soup.

After that 3 had Steak Rossini and I had Sea food linguini.

This was followed by amazing deserts.

A great Sunday lunch, if not roast beef as in UK.


Mr L 3/11/2011

Late Summer

On Tuesday, a day when I don't play golf, we took the dog for a walk on the beach at Marine de Cogolin.

The weather was beautiful and the beach empty. It was the " Day of the Dead " a national holiday in France when people visit their family graves so there were some children around as the schools are closed.

We decided to have lunch at the Azzora as it was open and we were in no rush to get home.

Gaynor had moules and chips and I had veal liver which was delicious.

Whilst we ate, our dog Micha found a very large piece of wood and persuaded two lovely young girls to throw it for her! This lasted about an hour whilst we ate.

All in all a great day and we arrived home with a tired dog!


Mr.L. 03/11/2011


Azzora: 0494 560249

Lycee Regional Hotelier et de Tourisme de Nice

Last week we went to Nice to the Hotel and Tourism College for one of their excellent lunches. This was organised by the Gourmet Group that we belong to.
The food is cooked and served by students, overseen by professionals, that intend to go into the Hotel and Tourism industry.
The College is based in a modern building next to Nice airport and is open to the general public.
For €28 we got a three course meal and this included wine a volante.
We started with a delicious crusted pie full of sea food in a great sauce. This was followed by Cote de Boef with chips and vegetables in a lovely design and finished off with a bread and butter pudding with sorbet ice cream.

All in all a great meal for the money. The service was fantastic and a great day was had by all.

Mr. L. 26/10/2011

0493 727779

THE GIANT PLATE FULL

As part of the wedding weekend we joined with the grooms family for a meal one evening at El Mandelino on the port in Cavalier. This gave us a chance to get to know better the new side of the family!

Having eaten solidly for days I decided against my usual steak and went for fried seafood, thinking that this would be a nice light meal. What a surprise I got!

I was presented with a bowl, which looked more like a hand washing bowl from the toilet, it was at least 18" accross, full of squid, prawns and octopus!

Whoever thought that this was a meal for one must be very hungry!

In the end I was totally defeated and shared it with anybody on the table who wanted to try some. After that it was still half full!

At €25 this was indeed value but should have been described as " for two or more"!!


Mr.L. 12/09/2011

BASTILLE DAY IN CAVALAIRE SUR MERE

This Thursday was Bastille Day in France and it usually celebrated in our area with each town having a firework display. Normally I would stay at home on the principle that you have seen one firework you have seen them all! I take the same view of Safaris, you see one Elephant or Lion and you have seen them all, so why go twice on Safari!

Our dog was left at home with the television and radios on to ensure she could not hear the fireworks that frighten her.

This year I was forced to join friends and family for a meal in the L' Espadon restaurant in Cavalaire Sur Mere. This restaurant is facing the prom and is right in front of the firework display.

I had a great meal of Oysters, Whelks and Prawns for starters and followed with a great steak and finished off with a chocolate gateaux. A really good meal.
The firework display was amazing and we were so well positioned that we saw everything.

In all I had a great night!

Mr.L. 14/07/2011

http://restaurant.espadon.free.fr/

0494 646605

Holiday Marina, Fish & Chips on the Terrace

Last night we booked to take my mother in law and father in law for traditional Fish & Chips at the Bamboo restaurant at the Holiday Marina opposite Port Grimaud for a reminder of the UK! We were joined by Mark Wallace, my golf pro, his wife Michelle and his golf pro son Lewis ( not forgetting his lovable dog Lady).

I have reviewed the Bamboo previously but was surprised when we arrived to find the building closed! We followed the sound of music and arrived at a very large patio overlooking a swimming pool and a marina.

The restaurant moves to this open area in the summer and was very pleasant, with lots of space and live music.

We all ordered Fish & Chips and most of us had mushy peas,both of which are a rarity in the South of France. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and we ended with my mother in law and wife dancing together much to the amusement of the guests. Our dog Micha got in on the dancing act and frolicked around them whist they danced!

The restaurant offers both French and English food and also curries. All these things are scarce in the area and much appreciated by the English Ex Pats who miss the specialities from the UK, especially the Gammon and Chips!

Great place for an evening out, if not sophisticated.

Mr. L 2/07/2011

0621057759 ( Martin)

La Pagode Baie Des Anges

Well it is some time since we have been invited to a child's Birthday Party, except of course for Grandchildren!

Last Sunday we were invited by Denise, a close friend of Gaynor, who lives over in Villefranche
( on the other side of Nice) to her daughter, Mellisa's party! We were pleased to accept as we love the family and much enjoy spending time with them.

It took place in the Pagode, which is situated at the side of Baie des Anges. It comprises a fabulous Lido with hundreds of sunbeds around it. This is well protected, for the children, by many attendants keeping watch.

Next to it is a lovely restaurant with a view out to sea. We enjoyed our meal which was standard French, however the prices were good and the quality of the cooking top class.

An excellent place for adults to relax and sunbathe whilst the kids swim.

Mr.L. 28/6/2011

Le Magnan

We first visited the restaurant 10 years ago when it was called Le Ferme du Magnan. We were so impressed that I had a major Birthday party there with 60 friends from around Europe. In those days they kept hens and specialised in chicken dishes from Provence. My favourite was Coq Adult which was made after long marinading and was served with mushrooms. The meat was very dark and the soup/sauce it came in was delicious.

How things change! The restaurant went through a very bad time during the chicken disease period when the French went off chicken completely! Soon after the restaurant was sold and since then has been through the hands of several owners. We tried once but it was never the same.

The other day we passed and saw a new sign saying Le Magnan so we went to see and were so impressed we booked for lunch today.

The terrace, as you can see from the photos, has a great ambiance and the food was delicious and very well presented. Ok so the menu was the same as many others in the region but for the beauty of the valley it is situated in and the quality of the food, at a reasonable price, it is totally without parallel.

We will certainly be returning!

Oh did I mention the charming owners and staff? This always makes the difference.

Mr L 29/5/2011

o494 495754
http://www.lemagnan.fr/

La Reserve, St Maxime

La Reserve is a restaurant, long established, on the promenade of St Maxime. We have been told about it often but have never visited. We finally went last Saturday night and hade a thoroughly good meal. We started with Foies Gras that we shared, though I must admit my wife took very little and me a lot. Served with fig and aspic it was delicious with the warm toast. My friend David and I both had the fondue of steak which comes with a pot of boiling oil on a burner so that one can dip the dices of steak in and cook to the way one prefers, Delicious! This came with vegetables and chips!

Cannot quite remember what the ladies had as I was far to engrossed in the novelty of cooking my own steak!!! I know they loved their meal so it must have been good.

The atmosphere was very Brasserie and was full despite horrid weather. This must say something as the other restaurants around were far from full.

Mr L 15/3/2011

The Cafe de France St Maxime

Well what does one do on a damp Sunday in December?? One lunches!!

During this time of the year many restaurants in the area are either closed until March or will re-open just before Christmas. Even restaurateurs need a break after a 7 day week all summer!!

We found the Cafe de France open and had heard good things about it over the years so we tried it.

The main bit of the restaurant is indeed a traditional French Bar with a great atmosphere; however they have an outside covered area, which is 5 times bigger than the bar, on the front in St Maxime.

The place was packed with French families and the food was indeed good and not too expensive. I had a Linguine Carbonarra and my wife a mixed sea food dish which she declared good!

A good place to go to and very family and dog friendly.

Mr.L. 7/12/2010

Le Bamboo, Holiday Marina

Last night we were invited out by friends to join a group of ex pats from the boat club for a Fish and Chip meal at Le Bamboo which is situated opposite Port Grimaud in the Holiday Marina caravan park. Not normally my cup of tea but obviously was not listening, as usual, to my wife when she explained it to me.

What a pleasant surprise, the company was good as they were all down to earth people who did not want to talk just about themselves and the restaurant, run by Brits. , was convivial and the food excellent and cheap.

I must explain that to get English Fish & Chips in the South of France is a rarity and they even offered Gammon Steaks that I have never seen before here! To top it all they supplied English White Bread and butter. Whereas English bread is far from the best in the world if you haven't had it for ages it is very welcome!

The staff even explained that they did an English Carvery on Sundays with Yorkshire Puddings!

My parents in law are going to be in 7th heaven when we take them!

All in all a great evening and a recommended restaurant for Brits. that are missing something about the UK!

Thanks Sue and Rod for the invitation!

Mr. L. 13/11/2010

Cafe des Arcades Valbonne

This weekend we visited friends outside Nice and stayed Friday night. On Saturday morning we visited Valbonne for lunch. For me it was the first time in the village and I was astonished by its small village feel and its grand square full of restaurants. As you can see from the picture above all the tables were full and the sun was shining, in fact my idea of a great autumn day!

The restaurant was one of the most efficient and reasonably priced establishments I have visited in the area and everyone at our table had an excellent meal.

The restaurant is the Cafe des Arcades and booking is unnecessary.

Mr.L. 6/11/2010

La Pinede Plage

Our wedding anniversary was Wednesday and we celebrated with a BBQ at Mark's house, however I felt I was probably getting away too easily and decided to find somewhere special to go on Saturday evening.



The evening started in Cavaliere where there was a jazz group playing on the port. We started with a drink with friends we encountered and then, after putting Micha ( our dog) back in the car because she freaks at loud music, we spent a pleasant time listening to the group.

We then went to Gigaro beach to give Micha a play on the sand.

This was followed by a visit to the Hotel/ Restaurant La Pinede Plage. This was our first visit there and I must say we were surprised at what we found. The outside restaurant is directly next to their private beach and had a lovely ambience.

The service was excellent with both my wife, Gaynor, and I picking identical dishes. We started with crab nems ( chinese rolls) and followed with Lobster Luingine. An excellent meal, if not cheap.

They had a great selection of locally caught fish and you could select which size and type of fish you wanted grilled. Unfortunately the price was a little steep as the average fish was about 500gm and they were charging around €20 per 100gm making the fish dish around €100!!!

This is a beautiful setting and am sure a great place to stay for a luxury holiday.


Mr. L 12/09/2010

0494551616

Club 55

Having family over from Monaco and my daughter and her family staying with us we decided, against my better judgement, to eat at Club Cinquante cinq (55) on the beach. I never go on purpose as it is always SO crowded in August. As you can see from the picture it was a little like an open air caferteria for the rich and famous. people arrive en famille from their boats and the cars in the car park are stunning.
This restaurant is the summer favourite of the stars and business moguls however without having them pointed out to one they are just happy families enjoying each others' company.
The service was excellent if only they served the food as ordered. I ordered a pink hamburger and chips but got a raw one!
The prices seemed reasonable until my daughter decided to order a plate of rasberries and strawberries for all 8 of us to share and we were amazed to find a charge of €160 for just this!!
So be aware! If you want somewhere to be seen and to see then this is the place but watch the crowded tables and hidden extras, like the guys who park the cars and will not take less than €15 as a tip!

Mr. L. 22/08/2010

0033494555555

The Kemia Morrocan restaurant

We recently went with a group of friends for a Morrocan meal in St Maxime. The Kemia is on the main road opposite the Port parking and is very authentic with Morrocan furniture and ornaments. There is a dancer who performs throughout the evening and of course the banquet we had was terrific with amazing entrees and main course very authentic.

if you are looking for a fun night out this will fit the bill.

Mr. L. 17/08/2010