St Tropez - Cristina
Summer 2010
Frank's view 
"Good...by St Tropez culinary standards."
Hailed as the best new restaurant in St Tropez this season, Cristina opened at the beginning of May 2010 and is the brainchild of Cristina Saulini, an Italian chef who takes personal control of the kitchen.
Cristina is located in the narrowest stretch of a narrow lane running parallel with Rue Gambetta. Inside is plush (but do you really want to sit indoors on a balmy Tropezienne evening?) whilst sitting outside gives you the opportunity to cosy up to passing tourists who find themselves clinging to the menu blackboard as they squidge through the tiniest of gaps. British Health & Safety would be choking on their mozzarella.
On the subject of cheese, the mozzarella starters are the undisputed stars of the show at Cristina. Try a few (all priced around €17) to share. The mains retain the pure Italian theme with several veal dishes, all around the €25 mark.
The flagship fish dish is sea bass cooked in water, but I found it soggy and disappointing. This method of preparing fish is very Mediterranean, particularly when accompanied by large lumps of boiled potato. Sorry, but I prefer mine from the oven or grill.
In a town where dining on gourmet cuisine is as unlikely as Jamie Oliver selling Tesco Value Meals, Cristina Saulini is a welcome addition to the St Tropez restaurant sisterhood.
Booking is essential.
13 Rue Des Ferriers
Saint Tropez
+33 49 49 74 610
http://cristinasaulini.com/
"Good...by St Tropez culinary standards."
Cristina is located in the narrowest stretch of a narrow lane running parallel with Rue Gambetta. Inside is plush (but do you really want to sit indoors on a balmy Tropezienne evening?) whilst sitting outside gives you the opportunity to cosy up to passing tourists who find themselves clinging to the menu blackboard as they squidge through the tiniest of gaps. British Health & Safety would be choking on their mozzarella.
On the subject of cheese, the mozzarella starters are the undisputed stars of the show at Cristina. Try a few (all priced around €17) to share. The mains retain the pure Italian theme with several veal dishes, all around the €25 mark.
The flagship fish dish is sea bass cooked in water, but I found it soggy and disappointing. This method of preparing fish is very Mediterranean, particularly when accompanied by large lumps of boiled potato. Sorry, but I prefer mine from the oven or grill.
In a town where dining on gourmet cuisine is as unlikely as Jamie Oliver selling Tesco Value Meals, Cristina Saulini is a welcome addition to the St Tropez restaurant sisterhood.
Booking is essential.
13 Rue Des Ferriers
Saint Tropez
+33 49 49 74 610
http://cristinasaulini.com/
"Good...by St Tropez culinary standards."
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
