Le Patio
Price guide: Expensive
Hotel La Pérouse, 11 Quai Rauba Capeu, Nice, 06000
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expert-rated restaurants in Nice- Recommended for:
- Couples, Escaping the crowds
Best for Romance - Expert review of Le Patio
A private slice of Provence – yards from the sea and city centre.
Some places feel just right. You walk in and think: “Glory be, this is lovely.” Such a spot is Le Patio restaurant within Hotel La Pérouse.
You’d never guess from the outside. The hotel presents a rather flat face to the corniche road connecting the Promenade-des-Anglais to the port. Behind, though, La Pérouse weaves this way and that, and then up the rock face of the Château hill against which it is built.
Tanning and spanking views
Somewhere in the middle (you’ll have to find this for yourselves) it opens out onto one of the prettiest terraces in Nice. On the upper level, a pool offers swimming, tanning and spanking Med views.
On the lower level is the restaurant, its wrought iron tables scattered amid lemon trees, pots of other Mediterranean flora, corners, crannies and a sense of seclusion. The rock face rises sheer behind. The whole resembles a cross between a Provençal village square and the grounds of a little manor house.
Low-lit at night, it fulfils the promise of the south of France. And, for the time of a meal, it’s all yours.
Food and drink:
Sensibly, Le Patio doesn’t go careering off after ultra-sophistication. The surroundings don’t require this. Instead, it concentrates on fine Provençal fare which exactly fits the frame. Seated under the lemon trees under the stars, what could be better than a sea-bass with chive and diced tomato sauce? Or fresh pasta and scampi? Or lemon tart with a mandarin sorbet?
Such dishes - splendidly worked in their simplicity – enhance the romance of an evening rather than monopolising the attention. And, here, that’s how it should be.
Ambience:
There’s the low hum of conversation of visitors from many nations, plus that of the smarter Niçois reminding themselves why they like their city so much.
Service:
Attentive, formal and friendly.
Location:
Overlooking the Med, on the headland between the city and its port. Five minutes walk from the Old Town.
Price advice:
Main courses range from 15.70 to around 28 euros. But there’s a 39 euro three-course menu which jumps up to 46 euros if you add in a couple of glasses of wine, water and coffee. In the circumstances, I think we may account this reasonable.
More information on Le Patio:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Bistro, Restaurant
- Food:
- French, Italian, Mediterranean
- Address:
- Hotel La Pérouse, 11 Quai Rauba Capeu, Nice, 06000
- Telephone:
- 04 93 62 34 63
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- 12-2pm; 7pm-10.30pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Essential at peak times
