A feed of foodie findings – Nice, Southern France

France, mon amour! Once again, I have spent glorious moments with you this summer and I am already longing to return.

This August, I spent a week in Nice, Cote da’zur. Since I turned eleven, France has been the chosen holiday destination for my family to visit most summers. From Reims to Dijon, Montauroux to Paris, over the last thirteen years I have been lucky enough to see many different places in this wonderful country.

This year, I travelled with my partner and we stayed in a delightful little apartment on the Promenade Des Anglais. The weather was magnificent. Waking up every morning to the view of golden light streaming down onto the turquoise sea was a beautiful experience.

The food in Nice seems to be, from my short experience of it, very good. It is delightful to be able to easily get a nicoise salad bursting with flavour or a fresh thon et oeuf baguette. I will say, though, that the old town area is home to some restaurants which appear to be inviting from the outside, but do not deliver on standard – just make sure to do a little research!

I have to discuss Citrus. Citrus was outstanding. So outstanding that, we ate there on three evenings out of the eight we were in Nice. The restaurant is set in one of the many side streets in the old town. The décor is contemporary whilst still rustic with lovely industrial touches. We sat, on our first visit, in a charming corner of the restaurant, doors wide open to the busy Nice streets, still hot from the delicious weather. We watched as our friendly waitress delivered first burrata with a salad of yellow, green and red tomatoes. The cheese is so memorable; buttery, soft, almost smoky. Second, we chose scallops with a squid ink risotto and rocket pesto. The dish was beautiful, delicately spiced and so well rounded. Having a sweet tooth, I just couldn’t leave the fabulous setting without sampling a dessert. I have no regrets. I was presented with a crisp yet perfectly gooey raspberry macaroon filled with fragrant pistachio cream, served with verbena ice-cream. It was heavenly. A triumph. If you are ever in Nice, do drop in and pay a visit to Citrus.

 

One dish that was on my list to try was the local speciality, socca. Socca is a pancake or galette made with chickpea flour and is usually served plain. The meal was fine, the socca was quite tasty. It is very mild and fuss-free, perhaps quite a good option in the heat, however I’m not sure if I would eat it again. I wasn’t overwhelmed by socca.

During our stay we ate many salads which were always fresh and just what we desired in the scorching sun. Mozzarella with tomatoes and pesto was a favorite, as well as goats cheese crostini with honey, leaves and mushrooms. Even our local beach restaurant did a lovely simple burrata salad which kept hunger at bay.

Nice is divine. What I adore about French cuisine, is the honest simplicity of the ingredients that are then prepared and cooked wonderfully. I can honestly say that Nice is one of the best places I have been to in France. The scenery is breath-taking, the wine is always flowing, and the food is splendid. What more could you ask for?

Spoon Girl x