One of the best restaurants in Nice and a view of the bay, not to be missed


Friday 6th April 2007

Jouni de La Reserve de Nice


Update August 2009:

Jouni has left La Reserve but fortunately this wonderful restaurant continues to flourish in the experienced hands of Sébastien Mahuet: Article from Nice Matin (French)

Please also see my restaurant recommendations on allaboutNice.com

Lunch at Jouni's today. He has moved from his tiny eponymous restaurant by the Port on rue Lascaris and now head of the restaurant Jouni de La Reserve de Nice, a large white Art Deco building currently being renovated and restored as a Hotel alongside the restaurant. To get here, follow the Port around onto boulevard Franck Pilatte and past the the Club Nautique de Nice. Jouni is Michelin-recommended, may even be starred already.




We had the set menu at 30 euros and it was excellent value, beautifully cooked and presented, a real treat and the views from La Reserve are simply wonderful. The set menu today was roast cod with capers and thyme - Filet de Cabillaud a la grenobloiese, roast potatoes - pomme de terre rotie and baby artichokes with broad beans. An amuse bouche of smooth broccoli soup with croutons started the meal and pudding was tarte aux citrons with sorbet fraise and chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce is presented in increasing drop size.




The service was friendly and impeccable and there was a relaxed and happy atmosphere. I really recommend this restaurant, it has so much in its favour.

The location gives you a lovely 10 minute stroll around the Port, the views are wonderful from the Cap of Nice all around to the Port, and Castel Hill. from the restaurant, if you can get a window table, you feel as though you are on a cruise ship, the views of the Med are stunning. Today we saw swimmers, boats and the enormous Corsica-Nice Ferry arrive. Oh, and the food is super.

We usually eat on our balcony or go somewhere cheap and cheerful in the Old Town, This was a real treat for us and for the set menu at 30 euros, although more than we usually pay for lunch, it still felt great value. We will definitely go again and hope he doesn't put his prices up. Although the restaurant is recently opened (October 2006) it is already very popular and was full. We were lucky to bag a table on spec but I would make a reservation next time; it will be getting busier towards the summer.

The style was in keeping with the 1920s art deco feel of the building but very contemporary too. Pale cream leather chairs, dark wood tables and bent teak columns and art deco styled mirrors blend well. the floor to ceiling windows offer clear 180 degree views and a narrow wooden terrace outside with glass panelled rails to break the sea breeze would be perfect in the summer for outside dining.

There is a second floor to this restaurant with another outside terrace. from our widow seat, it felt as though we were outside. Some of the windows slide open; go for our table in the far corner - you will get a gentle breeze from the open window. A raised bar with cocktail stools leading out onto the terrace looked most inviting, mine's a glass of champagne.

I thoroughly recommend this restaurant, though perhaps not really for families with young children. We took advantage of the fact our daughter was away skiing with her school. If you didn't fancy the set 30 euro menu, then there was a small choice from the a la carte menu. The pricing was 65 euros for a starter, main and pudding (or cheese) or 90 euros for a 'tasting' menu consisting of 3 starters (called entrees in France) a main course (plat), cheese and a pudding (dessert) Individually, entrees are 28 euros, plats 49 euros and fromages/dessert 15 euros respectively. You can see from these prices that the 30 euro set menu offers the greatest value. The wine list varied from 27 euros a bottle to 6,750 euros, that last bottle perhaps for when Elton toddles down Mont Boron. We pushed the boat out at a respectable 36 euros for a light fragrant rose, St Margeurite. The bill for half a bottle of sparkling Lurisia water, wine at 36 euros, one espresso at 3 euros and 2 'menu de Midi' at 30 euros came to 104 euros.

La Reserve
60 Boulevard Franck Pilatte
06300 Nice
tel 04 97 08 29 98 and 04 97 08 14 80
fax 04 93 14 68 73

More restaurants in Nice

More information about the Port of Nice

My website www.allaboutNice.com


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just found your blog while lokking for more information about La Reserve which is where I am heading tonight for my birthday. I will keep on reading you for more tips about Nice.(Cocody is also my kids favorite beach althoug I find the prices a bit high)...)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday ishopforyou, hope you have a great meal there. I agree about the prices re Cocody. all the best, Lisa

I see we also share a passion for shopping! I like your website.

nicoise21 said...

Cocody beach is the only beach with swimming pools.. it is worth the extra cost for that occasionally.. and at least the food there is now much better too..

Anonymous said...

The La Reserve Bistro, ie the downstairs part, is very good value at lunchtime.I went in Nov 2008. I took my wife, daughter, son in law and one friend - it was my birthday- and for five [standard 30 Euro set meals] three bottles of house wine plus coffee plus tip the bill was £230 Sterling.
Outstanding value.

Anonymous said...

Something's happened.Food's still good and reasonably priced for such an establishment.....but...both Jouni and Giuseppe have left, upstairs is closed, there's no beer available - and - most importantly, as of last week, - no credit cards - cash only.One hopes that the restaurant stays open and survives as it's in such a lovely location.

Unknown said...

Anon - that all sounds very worrying, I hope the restaurant survives too. Thanks for the info, I will try and find out. :-(

Unknown said...

Reassuring article in Nice Matin 18.8.09 about the future La Reserve - business as usual under the new chef, Sebastien Mahuet who worked with Jouni for the last 2 years and has worked in the past at the Metroploe in Monaco, La Chevre d'or in Eze etc.

Lunche formules from 25 euros during the week.

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