There is indeed a recipe that, although imported from the neighboring city of Genoa where it is called “Farinata,” has truly taken root in the hearts of the people of Nice—it is indeed the Socca.
Socca is a divine mixture of chickpea flour, water, olive oil, salt, and a few other ingredients that you will have to search for. The recipe for Socca is as deserving as its tasting.
Then, this soft mixture is poured into a copper pan with curved edges which is placed in an oven at some distance from a lively wood fire.
Indeed, we will exclude Pipo and his “socca palace” on Rue Bavastro from the competition, who, without a shadow of a doubt, makes the best Socca in Nice!
We will therefore focus on our good old quarter of the old town which was the cradle of this steaming pancake that workers, market gardeners, and walkers looked forward to each morning on the Cours Saleya.
Socca was part of this sacred morning ritual where people took a break to chat, sit for a moment, and it was with a small glass of wine that the finely browned pieces became a gastronomic rendezvous, leaving your fingers delightfully warm and oily.
If you want to taste good Socca in a truly local spot, you must undoubtedly go to René Socca on Rue Pairolière, and you can also accompany your tasting with a small glass of local rosé, and why not, some fresh fried snacks.
In brief, being a regular out of family tradition, I can only invite you to sit down for a while, turn off your phone, open your eyes and ears wide, and you will surely spend a pleasant moment that brings out the best flavors of Socca.
In second place, not far behind, I would place the unmissable “Nissa Socca” on Rue, which has managed to perfect the magic mixture to offer the best of its taste and flavors.
Sorry for the others, and especially for those I haven’t tasted, but what I strongly advise against, however, is to consider what is sold on Cours Saleya as having any relation to real Socca… Ah, Teresa, why did you leave!
And yes, you also have to love Socca to know how to make it well!!!
Beware, Socca Truffa.
Lou Gobi
