L’Oasis, La Napoule

From 1970 to its closure in 1988, L’Oasis was one of the few restaurants in southeast France to have three stars in the Michelin Guide. We were fortunate to have enjoyed the famous Loup de mer en croute and the fabulous cellar strong in wines from nearby Cassis and Bandol. Well-aged Bandol red wines were available at very reasonable prices.  After Louis Outhier decided to retire, the restaurant was closed for several years. It was reopened under Japanese ownership. In 1999 the chef, Stephane Raimbault, was able to buy it and has been successful in establishing his reputation. Michelin has restored two of the stars. Although we had been to L’Oasis for pleasant lunches in recent years, we had not really had a chance to try a significant meal there. So we went on the evening of June 26, 2008.

Josy-Jo, Haut de Cagnes

In 1970 Josy Bandecchi created this restaurant in the shadow of the thirteenth-century castle dominating Haut de Cagnes on a hilltop between Nice and Cannes. Amadeo Modigliani and Chaim Soutine have lived in the house where Josy-Jo is now. The specialities have always been local, with charcoal grilling featured. Linda and I had not been there for many years so we followed a hospital visit nearby to return on the evening of June 11, 2008.

La Bastide Saint Antoine 4

It seemed natural to celebrate Linda’s birthday by dining at Jacques Chibois’ restaurant. He has been one of our long time favorite chefs and Linda doesn’t let such attachments weaken when the critics, including me, start to quibble that Chibois isn’t up to what he used to be. So on March 24, 2008, we took advantage of his “Forfait Gourmet” which includes a room for the night, a gastronomic dinner for two (with wine) and breakfast the following morning.

Le Figuier de Saint-Esprit

14, rue Saint-Esprit
Antibes
(closed Tuesday, Wednesday lunch)
04 93 34 50 12
www.christianmorisset.fr 

(January 19, 2008) Christian Morisset left the two-star restaurant, Juana, in Juan-les-Pins and wound up buying Frédéric Ramos’s La Jarre which Ramos had left to take over the new Novotel in Monte-Carlo.

Morisset brought with him his number two from Juana, Christophe Gris, and they are assisted in the kitchen by Jordan Morisset as the menu states very clearly. Madam Morisset serves in front.

The wine fair in Cagnes-sur-Mer

This fair used to be called the Salon des Vignerons. Twice a year small winemakers from all over France would set up their tasting stands at the horseracing track of Cagnes-sur-Mer, west of Nice. Now in its sixteenth year they have been joined by so many producers of other good things to eat that the name has been changed to the Salon du Palais Gourmand.

La Bastide Saint Antoine 3

We have enjoyed the cuisine of Jacques Chibois for twenty years, but recently it has come in for a lot of criticism.

La Villa des Lys – Cannes

On May 12, 2007, we were taken to La Villa des Lys by David and Frédérique. This was not an ordinary invitation. David has a good friend who knows the chef, 38-year-old Bruno Oger, well and so the four of us were able to dine in a little room with a glass wall right off the kitchen.

La Bastide Saint Antoine 1 & 2

Our restaurant holy trinity is The Gramercy Tavern in New York, Pierre Gagnaire in Paris and La Bastide Saint Antoine in Grasse.  We have been a fan of Jacques Chibois’ since he was the chef at The Royal Grey in Cannes twenty years ago. We followed his wanderings after that and were thrilled when he finally got the financing and permits to convert a bastide in an old olive orchard in the Saint Antoine suburb of Grasse into a fine restaurant. 

“Lou Cigalon, Alain Parodi” Valbonne

Lou Cigalon, Alain Parodi/Valbonne
4&6 blvd Carnot, 04 93 12 27 07 The sign outside this old town house says Lou Cigalon, the menu says Restaurant Alain Parodi, and the bill says both, but whichever you call it, call and enjoy one of four menus or an à la carte meal.

Le Jarrier

 30, passage de la Bourgade, Biot;   04 93 65 11 68 Mark this name—Stephane Broda. We will be hearing a lot more from him. He is the chef part of the new triumvirate at Le Jarrier.  At the end of last year, he and a colleague left Lou Cigalon d’Alain Parodi, in what seems a friendly parting,  and were joined by Pascal Pigasse, the pastry chef from the Belles Rives in Juan. 

La Jarre

14 rue St Esprit,  Antibes;  04 93 3450 12, www.lajarre.com 

Three years ago Nathalie and Frédéric Ramos bought this charming Provençal style mas with its centuries old fig tree in the center of its dining room terrace, which is open in the summer and closed and warm in winter.  Not only did they change the menu, but they changed the hours, opening at lunch and staying open all winter.