A gastronomic lunch in Biot

Due to rather busy schedules, we haven’t had the opportunity to meet up with my parents since they returned to the Cote d’Azur. We figured a good way to celebrate their return could be a nice meal – surprise, surprise. We decided to go for something really special, since we’ve come to realize that a lot of the Michelin-starred restaurants actually have quite good-for-value lunch menus.

So after some research, we found a 1-Michelin starred restaurant located quite conveniently between Cagnes and Antibes – in Biot, called Les Terraillers. We also invited Tutta along, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it in the end.

The first impression of the place was certainly very positive. The place manages to be traditional, without overplaying it (sometimes these places overdo the décor a bit, covering the walls and ceiling with various flowers and “countryside utensils”), with very tasteful decoration and furniture. As one would expect, the service was pretty much spot on – very attentive without being overbearing. The lunch menu was a reasonable 39 Euros, or 55 Euros with drinks (a glass of champagne, and two glasses of wine).

We naturally went for the menus with drinks. I had quail eggs I a sort of soup for a starter, followed by some quail, with a caramel praline for desert. As one would expect in a restaurant of this caliber, we were treated to some small bites between the dishes as well. All in all, it was all pretty much spot on. What always impresses me with these restaurants is the fact that they manage to judge the quantities just perfectly – even thought the dishes often give an impression of being quite small, I never walk away hungry (and on the other hand, never stuffed either).

All in all, nearly a complete sans-faut, then. I reckon the value for money is pretty good as well – since it’s quite easy to pay say 30 Euros (or even more) in a pretty average restaurant on the Cote d’Azur. So the 39 Euros for the menu seemed very reasonable, considering the quality. The dinner menu, of course, is another matter entirely.

And nice, as always, to see my parents as well :-).