Restaurant Name: La Zucca Magica
I had read a lot about this restaurant in various guide books and last Saturday I persuaded my husband and two friends to try La Zucca Magica, which means 'The Magic Pumpkin', in spite of the fact we are confirmed omnivores. What is special about this restaurant is that there is no menu. You book, turn up, sit down and are brought five courses in turn with a brief, rapid description in french, and er, that's it. I do not mean it to sound like fast food, you are expected to take your time and enjoy the evening and the waiters are extremely friendly and helpful.The food was beautifully prepared and presented and extremely filling for the deceptively small portions. The restaurant is small and intimate and if you did not know what zucca meant, you were left in no doubt by the time you left - there were pumpkins everywhere plus a few gourds for good measure, dried ones, inflatable ones, tinsel ones. It should have been a ghastly mix of bad taste but believe me, it worked really well and the atmosphere is lovely. It is also beautifully lit, quite dark and intimate. As it was the end of September, we ate inside, but there is a small terrace for outdoor dining. This is a cash-only restaurant, booking essential and I think it is no-smoking- which is most unusual. Surprisingly good value, about 35 euros each (per adult, they did not charge for my daughter) including wine and coffee as well as the five courses.
Favorite Dish: This is the sad part. Gentle reader, we did not like two of the five courses. As there is no choice, it is pot luck what you get. Briefly, in turn we had rissotto with tomatoes and courgettes, lentil and artichoke 'cake', layered pastry and chicory leaves, ravioli filled with leeks and for pudding, almond ice-cream with fresh figs and grapes. Each course is brought out on a small plate with no side dishes, just one small immaculately prepared dish. The food is all home-made and freshly prepared each day. The coffee was excellent and we had a litre of wine and sparkling water. They did not charge for my eight-year old daughter - a nice touch as she had the same courses as us, just a bit smaller. I think this restaurant is a one-off and would recommend a visit even if you are not vegetarian. Just make sure you go HUNGRY.
Leave a Comment
Theme: Vegan/Vegetarian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Phone: 04 93 56 25 27
Address: 4 bis quai Papacino, Port of Nice
Directions: On the west Bank of the Port of Nice, close to the Societe Generale Bank - you may need the cash machine as La Zucca Magica is a cash only restaurant.
on Oct 4, 2003
