The mythical restaurant L’Union in flames!
L’Union represents much more than an essential gastronomic stop. It does not do any disservice to the current owners to say that, for us, the establishment is primarily identified with the Menardo family who, after establishing it in the landscape of Nice’s culinary conviviality, managed it with diligence until a few years ago.
Elected in 1998 in this 5th district, the history of Jean and Jacques Mรฉdecin who were regulars at L’Union, I was immediately adopted by the Menardo family, first as a representative of the neighborhood and then as a friend. This was done disregarding political inclinations.
We therefore held some memorable public meetings there. During election campaigning, the intensity of work decreased a notch after a good meal on the terrace (“You must finish the dish” was the immutable phrase of the mischievous Marcel), only to start again with renewed vigor. I even think that we could have requested the “grandma’s ravioli” to be listed as part of UNESCO’s intangible heritage (!)
More recently, the restaurant was chosen to sign the agreement between Gauche Autrement and the PS for the 2011 district elections… L’Union!
Obviously, for economic, social, and heritage reasons, L’Union needs to rise from its ashes as quickly as possible. But still, a little piece of our memories went up in smoke the other evening…
by Patrick Mottard
