There are many little towns spread across the Cote d’Azur and they each have amazing restaurants. Here are three more of our favorites.
In the town of Vence, not to be confused with the more touristy nearby town of St. Paul de Vence, sits Le Pigeonnier, a restaurant with about a dozen table in a nice size square in the middle of town. We have been taking the hour long bus ride from Nice up to Vence for about ten years now and always have lunch at Le Pigeonnier. The best thing on the menu is the daube, a beef stew served in a small cast iron pot. They also have fresh fish and pasta. For dessert have the profiteroles, a pate choux pastry stuffed with whipped cream and covered in chocolate sauce. You can find Le Pigeonnier at 3 Place Peyra (+33 4 93 58 03 00)Along the coast from Nice toward Monaco is the tall town of Eze. The bus from Nice drops you off at the bottom of the town and it is a long walk up through the town to the tropical garden at the top. Along the way you pass Chateua Eza, a small hotel with a restaurant with absolutely beautiful views of the Mediterranean and far off St. Jean Cap Ferrat, a beautiful peninsula jutting out into the sea. Chateau Eza is a fancy restaurant. Service is impeccable. Have a glass of champagne and enjoy the scenery. Then follow the recommendations of your server and enjoy one of the best meals you can imagine. Try the carrot medley, yes, it has carrot sorbet, and the duck breast, a thin rare delight. All of the desserts are perfect. End with coffee before you tear yourself away from the view. Chateau Eza is located at 22 rue de La Pise (+33 4 93 41 12 24, www.chateaueza.com).
Another beautiful area is St. Jean Cap Ferrat, that peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean. In the little town walk down to the harbor and where you’ll find about twenty restaurants lining the port. This time we ate at Brasserie La Goelette. Great seafood of all kinds and you can’t beat the view of the harbor and the surrounding hills. La Goelette is located at the Port Saint Jean (+33 4 93 76 14 38).
