Nice to Monte Carlo Port?

[mominhouston]

Hi

We will be flying into Nice and staying one night (Villa Rivoli) in Nice before our cruise departs from Monaco on May 25th. Looking for recommendations on getting from Hotel to Monaco Port.

Also any recommendations on dinner in Nice within walking distance of our hotel or must see's? We will be back in Nice Port on May 27th for the day too.

Thank you!

[Hlitner]

Ok, we will give you two recommendations which are totally different kinds of restaurants. The first, within walking distance of your hotel is called Chanteclar and is located inside the famous Negresco Hotel along the Promanade. Chanteclar is probably still a 2 Star Michelin restaurant with prices to match. But its an elegant dining room with excellent haute cuisine. For this restaurant you would need a reservation well in advance.

 

Our other restaurant recommendation is a small (tiny) place in the Old Town area called Le Merenda. This would be a long walk from your hotel or a 10 min taxi ride. Le Merenda is chef owned by Dominique LeStanc (who actually was the chef who got Chanteclar its 2nd Michelin Star over 20 years ago). LeStanc decided to leave the rat race of high end restaurants (where he was already a star chef) to open a tiny place specializing in local/regional cuisine. But Merenda is not for tourists and the Chef does not even list a telephone number (unless you are a personal friend). So getting a reservation is tricky (if you happen to be walking by and somebody is in the place they will take a reservation). So the best way to get into this little spot is to call or e-mail the Concierge of your own hotel (several weeks in advance) and ask if he/she can get you a dinner reservation at Le Merenda. If the concierge knows Chef LeStanc they might be able to get you in....but of course you will be expected to give a nice tip to the concierge.

 

You can Google both of these places. DW and I would try to get into Le Merenda since we like these tiny local places....and also for old times sake because Chef LeStanc made our most memorable dinner of our lives...when he was the Executive Chef at Chanteclar . Here is a link to some info on LeStanc

http://lamerenda.net/La_Merenda_Site_Officiel/Dominique_Le_Stanc_Eng.html

 

which also has a link to Le Merenda at the top of the page.

 

As to what to see in the city and region we could probably write a book :). The Nice Flower Market (on the Cours Selaya) is a great place to learn about the food and flower culture of Provence....but it is not open on Mondays (or Sunday afternoons). And the best time to visit this market is in the morning. We also routinely recommend that anyone with the time spend a few hours at the walled town of St Paul de Vence. This is actually a great place to go on a nice Sunday afternoon when many things in Nice are closed.

 

Hank

Edited April 12, 2015 by Hlitner

[marazul]

A little warning. La Merenda does not take credit cards.

[Hlitner]

A little warning. La Merenda does not take credit cards.

 

Kind of makes one realize that Dominique marches to his own drum :). No credit cards, not telephone reservations, no online reservations, etc etc. And yet, his teeny restaurant is generally full whenever it's open. Perhaps he has figured out something very unusual for restaurants. Just serve consistently great cuisine and the masses will come :)

 

Hank