Restaurant Name: La Petite Maison
A favourite of food critic AA Gill, this restaurant is well reputed and mentioned in most guide books. I’ve had about three meals here. It would be the ideal place for groups of friends or birthday meal with friends and couples as the atmosphere is animated and buzzing and the chatter decibel factor is high. I would put your posh frock on. Perhaps not really a place for families with young children and not particularly intimate for a romantic meal a deux. Traditionally it is a handy after-theatre restaurant as it is opposite the Opera House. There are two sittings which allow early diners a 7:30 booking and then a post-theatre time. La Petite Maison is pretty much the equivalent of the Ivy in London. Pick your night right and you may end up rubbing shoulders with Elton.
The restaurant occupies one large room, very high-ceilinged with an open sweeping staircase leading to the loos (don’t drink too much- any stair-staggering is in full view of the diners) Look out for the Max Cartier sculpture on the bar – looks familiar? You will have seen a huge version at the airport roundabout.
Favorite Dish: The menu is limited in choice but the food is top quality and there are notices about the provenance of the beef. There are a few Nicoise specialities. One thing we have noticed, it’s a place to have three courses as the portions are not large. Also make sure you order side dishes of vegetable and potato, if you’re not careful you can get a steak on your plate and nothing else. Salads/starters/pastas are about 15-20 euros and steaks are about 30 euros plus extra for side dishes. There is the usual choice of sauces for the steak if you wish, the peppered is excellent.
It’s ok to tuck into the peppers, tomatoes, fruits and things lying around on the table when you first sit down, there's oil and salt/pepper to help things along. You will also be brought some coarse tapenade and bruschetta. Look out for the Madame in charge fussing around the tables making sure everything is just right. She issues commands to the waiters hovering nervously at her elbow and has them tweaking tables and moving them just an inch or two so that they are perfectly placed.
Menus are provided in English if necessary but like many translated menus the dishes sound better in French.
The wine list is good. As it is not a cheap restaurant and you might be here for a celebratory meal then I suggest you try a bottle of the strong full-bodied red Bandol, 35-40 euros 1999 or 2001 would be great with steak. The puddings are rather nice here – try the flat crispy tart with berries about 11 euros or the white chocolate mousse for about 8 euros.
We’ve eaten inside although there is a narrow terrace outside during the summer months.
Like the Ivy, it's supposed to be difficult to get a table here. We’ve never had a problem but our mo has been to reserve (see their website for details) many weeks in advance or just to pop in on the night at about 7:00 pm and ask for an early table for 7:30 pm. We have a child with us. I suggest you reserve a late table to catch the best atmosphere and leave the kids at home.
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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Phone: 04 93 92 59 59
Address: 11 rue St Francois-de-Paule, Old Nice
Directions: At the far end of the Cours Saleya in Old Nice, away from the Chateau. Just about opposite the Opera House.
Website: www.lapetitemaison-nice.com
Other Contact: fax 04 93 92 28 51
on Oct 13, 2006
