VirtualTourist

Restaurant Name: La Meranda

This tiny restaurant has been well-recommended in many guide books and in travel Jack's website. We decided to go in December as we reckoned it would be an easy time of the year to get a table. Booking is simple, you turn up and ask. There is no telephone. We were early about 18:45 and were told to return at 19:00 when the restaurant opened, they would have a table for us.

The restaurant consists of one small room, the tiny open kitchen separated from the seating area by a small counter. I think there was room for about 9 tables. I was trying to read a framed review on the wall (in French) and I think it was pointing out some quite important art work on the walls, which was modern and slightly quirky. Good.

We knew the food would be good from what we had read but I have to say that I did not like the tiny square stools (hence the title to this review) we had to sit on, nor did I care much for the lighting, which was too bright and overhead, casting an unflattering light on me! I think that lighting is one of the most important factors in creating the right ambiance in a restaurant.

Favorite Dish: Yum. The food was excellent. The menu is brought to the table, chalked up on a blackboard. The starters and mains were a similar price which is unusual I think. Starters and mains from about 10 euros. We had a small pizza to start, a sophisticated herby affair which had been pan-fried - it was very good. The daughter didn't like it - it was too far removed from her idea of a 'proper' pizza! I had sausage and lentils (11 euros) and the husband had a beef daube or stew (also 11 euros) Both were delicious and although the portions did not seem very big, it was very filling. Unusually for me, I fancied nearly everything on the menu.

Puddings. Chocolate mousse for the daughter, pears in red wine for me and smelly cheese for the husband. It was VERY STRONG and the waiter double-checked that we were sure about choosing the cheese. Husband loved it.

I think it can be difficult to try a restaurant when your expectations have been raised in advance but thankfully we had a wonderful meal. There was a gorgeous looking pie made with swiss chard that I would love to go back and try.

The wine was expensive - 19 euros for a bottle and there was no choice other than colour. No soft drinks either, just bottled water (that's ok though)

There is no outdoor terrace, cheques and credit cards are not accepted and no telephone booking. The restaurant was full however by the time we left and I think we were lucky to get a table.

I would like to go back here with just the husband - maybe in June when we sneak off for a weekend in Nice without the daughter ;-) That gives me five months to shrink my bottom down to fit the chairs.

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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: no telephone, book in person
Address: 4, rue de la Terrasse, Nice
Directions: rue de la Terrasse divides the Opera House from the Cours Saleya. From the Opera, you need to turn left up rue de la Terrasse. La Meranda is on the other side of the road after about 200 meters. You will see a bike parked outside (part of the decor)
Other Contact: don't forget -cash only