Fast food has taken over all the streets of Old Nice. Specialties from around the world are found side by side, from kebabs to spring rolls. But the main attraction, for tourists and locals alike, are the Nicean establishments, easily recognizable by their large wooden tables arranged in a communal banquet style. They offer all the regional recipes typical to the area, such as zucchini flower fritters, socca, or the traditional pissaladiรจre. Renรฉ Pentolini was the first, 50 years ago, to launch this concept mixing fast food and traditional cuisine. “He simply merged the restaurant and the snack bar facing each other.” Vรฉronique, and her brother Stรฉphane, are Renรฉ’s nephews, and they manage this family legacy today at Chez Renรฉ, Rue Pairoliรจre.
A bit further on, and if you are still hungry, the Fabrique de Pรขtes Fraรฎches Tosello welcomes you, having been established in 1816 on Rue Sainte Rรฉparate. Mr. Gonello, the owner’s son, is proud of his products: “We perpetuate very old recipes, most of which are specific to Nice. Some are found only in our establishment, like the Rotolos.” To top it all off, just a short walk away you will find Cave Caprioglio. A place where wines and champagnes from France and beyond have been available for the 98th consecutive year. Nelly Caprioglio, the granddaughter of the shop’s founder, gives us a tour of the cellars. “We age many wines here, and it suits them very well. Previously, my father used one of the cellars as a pรฉtanque court with merchant friends, as it was often flooded.” Freshness and aperitif guaranteed!
