Over the years we have tried many different restaurants in Nice. Every year a few have closed and a few more have opened. Here are three of our favorites:
La Table Alziari is located deep in the old town area on a small side street. The restaurant is family owned and, during the summer, most patrons sit outside where they squeeze in 8-10 tables. Over the years, the menu has almost never changed. Some of our favorite first courses include roasted red peppers in oil, the white bean salad, Provencal eggplant and the petits farcis (stuffed onions and zucchini). While not on the menu, they almost always have deep fried courgette blossoms. They are among the most tender and light I have had in Nice. The waiter (I believe a son-in-law of the owner) gave us the recipe for his batter! For the second course, try the daube d’agneau (a traditional lamb stew served over pasta), the pasta with pesto sauce, or even the steak tartare and French fries. The best dessert is the chocolate pie – a gooey mountain of chocolate in a flaky pie crust. La Table Alziari is located at 4 rue Francois Zanin (+33 4 93 80 34 03).
Bistrot d’Antoine is a typical French bistrot with all the fuss and noise that you imagine. It’s best to have a reservation, but sometimes you can just drop in and they will have a table for you. On the first floor is the open kitchen behind a counter and about 10 tables. The quieter upstairs holds about 8 tables. For your first course, try the terrine de campagne (the house pate), or the wonderful foie gras canard. There is almost always a pasta and a risotto. For your second course, the magret de canard (grilled duck breast), the filet de boeuf, and the lentils and sausage can’t be beat. For a change, try the assiette de fromage or cheese platter in place of dessert. Bistro d'Antoine is located at 27 rue de la Prefecture, a street just north of the Cours Saleya (+33 4 93 85 29 57).
Le Plongeoir is one of the most unique restaurants in Nice. It sits just east of the port area and is not really on the water, but in the water. You walk across a small bridge over the water to a very open outdoor restaurant built on a rock about 50 feet off the land and about 20 feet above the water. As would be expected, the menu is heavily laden with seafood dishes and also with a large array of salad options. It’s a unique experience to be sure and on a beautiful sunny day, a great way to spend an afternoon. Le Plongeoir is located at 60 blvd. Franck Pilatte (+33 4 93 26 53 02, www.leplongeoir.com).
