Restaurant Name: Restaurant du Gesu
Our friends recommended this restaurant - they always made a point of going every time they were in Nice. We knew where it was, but had never been - actually I tell a lie - we tried to go twice - once on a Sunday (closed) and then an abortive attempt due to no cash (they don't take credit cards) Anyway, this August we finally made it.
Restaurant du Gesu is the only restaurant in this tiny square enclosed by the tall, narrow buildings of the Old Town and in the shadow of the Eglise du Jesu - an ornate 17th century Baroque church. We visted this church after the meal - it is beautiful. There is also a small art gallery in this square, 2006, now a clothes shop.
The tables quickly fill - try and get here for 12 noon. Sitting outside is particularly nice here as you are in the cool shadow of the square.
Place du Jesus is just off one of the main roads (rue Droite) through the Old Town (if any road here could be called main as they are all so narrow) so you can feel quite peaceful here as the crowds pass by at the far end of the square and not directly through it.
The waiters here are a cheerful bunch.
For lunch there is a choice of meat and fish dishes, daubes, pasta and pizza - nicoise style cooking would describe it best - a touch of Italian influence.
Favorite Dish: I had a pizza, which was excellent and the husband had a stew with polenta, the daughter shared ours I think. The details became a little hazy after a litre of red wine which was served cold and was very nice.
The cost was very cheap I suppose about 5 euros for the pizza and about 8 euros for the stew. The wine was good value as well, the husband assures me. We've eaten here a few times, the portions are not huge, a starter salad, like the Nicoise Salade is not quite enough for a main course unlike many other places, like the Tapenade.
HOWEVER, be warned, the puddings are not good value. There was an absurd menu with those nasty photos of ice-cream concoctions. The daughters eyes bulged and she insisted on one. I think we paid about 8 euros for what amounted to about 2 scoops. (2006, we realised we were given the icecream menu, the normal pudding menu had good value things like creme caramel for about 3,50 euros, much better)
So I would recommend this restaurant for a well-cooked, good value meal so long as you don't bother with pudding. You know your bikini will thank you for it.
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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Phone: 04 93 62 26 46
Address: Restaurant du Gesu, 1 place du Jesus
Directions: Just off rue Droite which is the road that runs straight through the Old Town, north to south between rue St Francois and rue de la Prefecture. It's on the same road as the famous Palais Lascaris, which will be sign-posted. (closed Sundays and cash only)
Website: http://www.allaboutnice.com/restaurants_in_Nice
on Oct 13, 2003
