Mirazur in Menton?

[chicagowinediva]

My Mom and I are staying for a week in the town of Menton and plan to do most of our dinners at home. I did see a nice recommendation for Mirazur on the boards, but its from over 6 months ago.
Anyone have a recent experience?

Or any other suggestions for dinners in Menton or lunch in the French/Italian border area? I have no problem driving an hour or so for great chow!

[whs]

La Capanna di Baci in Apricale is extraordinary. It's across the border and up the Nervi valley. You should probably do lunch, since it's a narrow, winding road up to the village, which is listed as one of the most beautiful in Italy. A stop in Dolceacqua is charming. Good gelato shop on the main road. http://www.petitfute.com/guide/200753-capanna-di-baci
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant...

We liked Mirazur a lot. Very sleek room, southern California feeling. Mauro was a sweetheart.

[beaulieu]

Since you are staying in Menton, you certainly should go to Mirazur. Mauro has put in much larger kitchen gardens and has renovated the somewhat awkward space. You might want to go for lunch to take advantage of the view. Reserve so that you will be by the window. The cuisine is based on fresh local products and is creative and but not over the top.

I agree with Menton that L'Hostellerie Jérôme is outstanding.

[chicagowinediva]

Thanks for the suggestions folks! I did make a reservation at Mirazur, since it was just so convenient. However, I will take some of your other suggestions and report back as well.
Thanks again for the heads up on roads at night. Mom can't drive at night anymore and I've noticed, even at 40, I sometimes have issues.

So excited to go!!!

[sistereurope]

I'll be in Nice for a week in October...could you tell me if L'Hostellerie Jérôme is accessible via the bus from Nice? We're staying in an apartment in Old Town and I'm thinking of ditching the car.
thanks!

[beaulieu]

It's line 116. There are only five a day and the last return is 6:00, but there are two which would work for lunch and return. See: http://www.cg06.fr/cms/cg06/upload/se...

[menton1]

BTW, Beaulieu: Is that restaurant Balzi Rossi, just at the border crossing, still any good? I've heard that it may be past its prime... I think it's just a few steps from Menton.

[beaulieu]

I have not been to Balzi Rossi for many years. On my one visit I found it pretentious and not very good. Baia Benjamin, just beyond it through the tunnel, used to be good and quite charming, but I have not been there for a while either. We should try it again.

[sistereurope]

Thanks for the info...I'll report back!

[sistereurope]

Actually, I have one more question: we plan to have several big lunches while in Nice and the surrounding area. Could you recommend some places for a light dinner in Nice? We really enjoy oysters, so a good casual place for seafood would be perfect. (Oysters and white wine make a great light meal, I think!) Or socca or maybe pizza? Anything not 3 course heavy (or too expensive). I already have a nice list for dinners in Nice.
Thanks.

[menton1]

Lou Pilha Lehva is a socca stand in Vieux Nice, extremely casual, you order at the counter, and sit at one of the tables.

I can't think of a "casual" place for good seafood; however, should you want to go upscale, Les Viviers is a wonderful place for seafood.

I hope your "list" doesn't include the usual La Merenda nor La Zucca Magica; stay away from these overhyped and underperforming places... the latter, as a matter of fact, only serves re-heated, microwaved food.

There are excellent restaurants in Nice, but they usually don't make the regular "lists."

[sistereurope]

No, so far the list includes Millesime 82 , Keisuke Matsushima, Don Camillo and Luc Salsedo...anything we're missing?

[beaulieu]

Your list is excellent. For your light oyster meal there is only one place you can count on in the whole Côte d'Azur, Le Café de Turin where Old Nice joins the Place Garibaldi.

[Parigi]

Great funky place, Le Café de Turin.

[sistereurope]

That is perfect, thanks so much! I am looking forward to some fabulous meals from Lyon to Nice.

[menton1]

Absolutely GREAT food is to be had at La Cicala, in Bordighera, Italy. Only about 20 minutes from Menton. We were there last year (thanks to Beaulieu) and had a great meal. Also in Bordighera is Magiarge. These are both in the old town section. A complete food and culture differential from France.

In the other direction, in Cap d'Ail, Le Cabanon is a great restaurant for lunch smack dab on the beach. And up in the back hills is Auberge de la Madone in Peillon, but you may want to do lunch as these roads at night are not for the faint at heart!

Les Agaves in Beaulieu is excellent.

Mirazur is a nice splurge, but I would opt for La Réserve in Beaulieu or Jérome in La Turbie for a meal of that category.