Restaurant Name: Bar de la Bourse
December 2003
We have walked past this bar many times in the summer. It is by the fish market in Place de St Francois in the Old Town - not the most attractive street. There is no outside eating area or terrace but the owners have squeezed a couple of plastic tables directly onto the street - these were always occupied every lunchtime in spite of the unattractive surroundings and busy pedestrian traffic. When you peep in, it looks like a (fairly grotty) bar. Note: 2006 - downstairs bar is now extended restaurant area, no longer a bar, they must be doing well. It's my husband's favourite place to eat in Nice.
However, this December, we decided to re-consider this place following a recommendation found in
Jack's Travel Guide website and we decided to give it a go, ever on the search for good but cheap meals.
What we had missed, were the stairs leading up to a mezzanine level where there was a small restaurant.
It was full of French people. The owner must have been a fit man, up and down every minute. The decor was simple but what gave it some edge was the modern art exhibited on the wall by the local artist, Eve Domy. It felt relaxed and easy up there in the midst of happy and lively french conversation.
The price was amazing (for Nice). 10 euros for a 3-course meal which also included a glass of kir (white wine and cassis).
Favorite Dish: The set menu for 10 euros gave a choice of 2 or 3 starters, main courses and several desserts. The plat du jour this day was lasagne. We started with pissaladiere (onion tart - a Nicois speciality) which was very good, then I had the lasagne , the husband had daube (beef stew) with ravioli. The lasgne came with a salad. The daughter did not have the set menu and chose a nicoise salad (about 5 or 6 euros) from the general menu. There was plenty of bread, not really needed as the portions were large. A bottle of wine was only 6 euros and it was fine. For pudding, chocolate torte which was excellent and not the usual dry afterthought and it was quickly commandeered by the daughter. The husband had cheese.
Bar de la Bourse is open Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays) for LUNCH ONLY. I don't know if you can make reservations here - I think you just turn up and wait - have a drink in the bar if necessary.
Drawbacks. Well, I wonder if we would eat here in the heat of the summer. For me, it would be too hot , busy and crowded to enjoy eating squashed in the street and I wonder if it might also be too hot to be indoors upstairs. I did notice an air-conditioning unit up there so I think it may be worth a go in the summer to see if it is bearable. Note 2006 - it is, also outside is v pleasant if you can grab one of the two tables! However, in the winter, what a wonderful place. Simply the best meal for the cost that we have had in Nice and we will definitely be returning. We were so full we did not bother with an evening meal.
The food and service was excellent. The meal was incredible value and I can't wait to go back there in January. Note; been back many times; excellent, price now about 11-12 euros.
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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Phone: 04 93 62 38 39
Address: rue Pairoliere, Old Nice
Directions: At the start of rue Paroliere in Old Nice, just by the fish market in Place St Francois, about 1- 2 minutes' walk from the Gare Routiere (bus station) Not far from Place Garibaldi.
Website: http://www.jack-travel.com/CoteAzur/CoteAzurhtml/nice_recommended_restaurants.htm
Other Contact: above website recommendation
on Dec 21, 2003
