Marseille - Le Petit Nice
Spring 08
Frank's view 
'book a room and enjoy the sunrise'
When in Marseille, do as the discerning Marseillians – dine at Le Petit Nice.
Indeed, few locals would disagree that Gerard Passedat’s establishment is the finest restaurant in Marseille.
Awarded a third Michelin Star in March 2008, Passedat presides over this family owned hotel and restaurant, which was created by his grandfather in 1917.
Le Petit Nice offers three set dinner menus (Decouverte, Passedat and Evolution), ranging between eight and fourteen courses, a ‘Bouille Abaisse’ creation, and a slimmed down lunch.
We chose the ten course ‘Menu Passedat’. In giving his name to this gourmand banquet it seemed that the chef was directing diners towards his showcase. Besides, my appetite did not feel up to the full blown fourteen courses of Evoution.
The feast commenced with Cinq amuse-bouches gourmands, five delicate tastes to stimulate the palate.
Four varied fish and sea food dishes followed, one meat dish (lamb), two desserts and finally, a selection of exquisite Mignardises Maison (petit fours).
At €155, this tasting menu might seem expensive, but this is ‘service compris’, which brings the real price down to around €130.
Gerard Passedat is proud of his Bouille Abaisse, which for the enthusiast, would seem to be well worth the experience.
One final aspect to the restaurant is its setting. So often these elite restaurants have little ambience (Cordeillan Bages in Bordeaux, for example). Le Petit Nice sits by the sea and in summer diners sit al fresco, by the sea wall looking out across the Mediterranean towards the famous ‘Count of Monte Cristo’ island.
Le Petit Nice
Corniche J F Kennedy
Marseille
+33 4 91 592 592
http://www.petitnice-passedat.com/
Indeed, few locals would disagree that Gerard Passedat’s establishment is the finest restaurant in Marseille.
Awarded a third Michelin Star in March 2008, Passedat presides over this family owned hotel and restaurant, which was created by his grandfather in 1917.
Le Petit Nice offers three set dinner menus (Decouverte, Passedat and Evolution), ranging between eight and fourteen courses, a ‘Bouille Abaisse’ creation, and a slimmed down lunch.
We chose the ten course ‘Menu Passedat’. In giving his name to this gourmand banquet it seemed that the chef was directing diners towards his showcase. Besides, my appetite did not feel up to the full blown fourteen courses of Evoution.
The feast commenced with Cinq amuse-bouches gourmands, five delicate tastes to stimulate the palate.
Four varied fish and sea food dishes followed, one meat dish (lamb), two desserts and finally, a selection of exquisite Mignardises Maison (petit fours).
At €155, this tasting menu might seem expensive, but this is ‘service compris’, which brings the real price down to around €130.
Gerard Passedat is proud of his Bouille Abaisse, which for the enthusiast, would seem to be well worth the experience.
One final aspect to the restaurant is its setting. So often these elite restaurants have little ambience (Cordeillan Bages in Bordeaux, for example). Le Petit Nice sits by the sea and in summer diners sit al fresco, by the sea wall looking out across the Mediterranean towards the famous ‘Count of Monte Cristo’ island.
Le Petit Nice
Corniche J F Kennedy
Marseille
+33 4 91 592 592
http://www.petitnice-passedat.com/
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
