Safari Restaurant -
It’s very fashionable for the French in Nice to dismiss any restaurant on the Cours Saleya, because, they say with a slightly superior expression, that this famous stretch of restaurants and markets in the Old Town is only for tourists. Like all sweeping generalisations there is a kernel of truth to what they say.
Its self evident that the legion of restaurants, bars and clubs in this area have become very complacent because tourists flock to the area in there 1000’s every day and most of the restaurants are full of holiday makers who will probably never come back to the same place twice. This generates a cynicism and laziness in many of the restaurant managers and staff, which is exemplified in perfunctory service, ordinary food and high prices.
But there are always exceptions and “le Safari” restaurant is one of them.
Unsurprisingly this landmark establishment does have a large local clientele who keep coming back week-on-week, year-on-year. I’ve always enjoyed my long lunches at the Safari, mainly because of the staff. When they are not to busy they can be highly entertaining, funny, attentive and very quirky.
On one memorable occasion a waiter I know quite well, was telling me a joke in the packed dining room that ended with a visual punch line that required the dropping of his trousers to his ankles. Undeterred he told the joke in graphic detail and for the finale he bared his ass at me then pulled his trousers up and asked if I wanted vinaigrette or olive oil on my salad, as if there was nothing unusual in this sort of behaviour. You’ve got to love a place like this - oh and buy the way the joke was very funny.
But back to the food – Their signature dish is rabbit cooked with Provencal vegetables and olive. But it’s the cooking method that makes this one of my favourite dishes in Nice. All the ingredients, including rabbit pieces, peppers, potatoes, olives Thyme and rosemary go into an earthenware pot raw, and then it’s thrown in the Pizza oven. As you’re all good foodies, you’ll know that Pizza ovens reach a temperature that is not possible in a normal stove - So the meat cooks quickly and the vegetables char a little bit to add a real distinct flavour to the dish. This is served with a rocket salad. Very very good.
As well, the usual Nicoise classics are on offer, but done to a higher standard than other restuarants in this street - including stuffed vegetables, a very tasty daube, a wonderful scallop risotto and great pizzas.
This is the place to watch the world go by on a summer’s day. Great people watching, interesting staff and good food.
Le Safari
1 cours Saleya
Old Town Nice
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 80 18 44
