March Issue
By Angela Saab Saade
March
As this academic year draws to a close and Menton becomes more and more boring to most of us, I find myself increasingly surprised by how much I have yet to discover about this town's hidden gems.
The other day, I was aimlessly wandering around the streets of Menton — bored, uninspired and exhausted by the town's familiarity. At some point, I saw a crowd of people waiting in line at one of the tiniest patisseries I have ever seen. A mother, persuading her child of a pastry he was not convinced of, said “I promise you, you are going to love it. It is moelleux, it is sweet, it has a unique taste and it is fulfilling.”
The patisserie took me by surprise. I had never seen it before, though I was sure to have crossed that street at least once a week. So, I decided to try out the pastry that the mother was so keen to make her child eat. I thought, why not? What do I have to lose other than 2.90 euros of my money? I purchased what is called a Fougasse Mentonnaise and it tasted above any other (non-chocolate) pastry I had ever tried before. What made it more special though, was that this fougasse, new to me in this town of monotonous familiarity, represents the untouched opportunities left for us to explore in Menton, especially for the uninspired 2As among us.
Moreover, I will share with you my top favorite places thus far in Menton that have not yet been swamped by the student body. We will go beyond the common places, like Café Italiano, Istanbul Kebab and Brioche Dorée. I sincerely hope at least one of the five places will be new to you and will provide you with an interesting setting to explore.
Number 5 — L'OPEN
Address: 11 Av. de Verdun, 06500 Menton
Pub, bar, café, restaurant — call it what you want, but this place is absolutely the perfect hub for a great dinner, a late cocktail or even brunch. The ambiance is lively, especially in the evening, and the staff is friendly. If you enjoy music while studying, I would encourage you to sit in their upper floor, which, similarly to Café Italiano, their customers usually avoid. Thus, it is great for those of us who like studying with background music in an empty space.
Top 4 — Mitron Bakery
Addresse: 8 Rue Pieta, 06500 Menton
There is no need to reiterate how much I appreciated the Fougasse from Mitron Bakery. A bonus to their yummy desserts is their small outdoor space in which you may get some work done. What I particularly like about Mitron is that they offer proper Mentonnese specialities, rather than regular pastries like other bakeries. This specialization makes them distinct while also allowing us to try new flavors unique to this part of the world and precious to our limited time experiencing it.
Top 3 — Le Paradis de la Glace
Address: 59 Av. Robert Schumann, 06190 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Given my obsession with ice-cream, I think any glacerie is splendid, but my flatmates would have thrown me into the Mediterranean if I neglected to add this establishment. Le Paradis de la Glace's name is an understatement to the quality of ice-cream sold. This better-than-paradise ice cream may be found just at the border between Menton and Cap-Martin Roquebrune. It is fresh, creamy and superior to the Menton ice cream shops that stud Rue St Michel. It may be a bit of a walk, but the high quality treats and friendly service make the journey worth it. Especially at this time of the year, the spring's reappearing warm sun can soothe you as you enjoy their outdoor seating area and overlook the cerulean sea.
Top 2 — Sini
7 Rue des Marins, 06500 Menton
You have probably passed by this restaurant multiple times and thought, "oh, just another incredibly expensive restaurant in Menton." Well, think again, because Sini's is quite affordable and may even be considered underpriced for the quality of the food they offer. You may enjoy multiple pieces of their fresh Corsican focaccia with different toppings, such as truffle, artichoke and Mozzarella, with an aperol spritz on a late afternoon or evening. Or, you can also just have the slices with no cocktail on a regular weekday for lunch. Either way, you can anticipate a pleasant experience of great food and chill ambiance, while not going broke!
Top 1 — Ideal Tacos
When I first came to France and saw taco restaurants, I was extremely disappointed to realize that a taco here is not what it is in most parts of the world. However, one restaurant in particular shifted my perception of the demonized French taco and allowed me to befriend it, maybe even love it, and that is Ideal Tacos. They offer scrumptious tacos and burgers and equally have vegan and vegetarian options. My personal favorite is the vegan taco with white sauce — absolutely one of the most fulfilling and flavorsome meals I have had. Complement it with some fries, mozzarella sticks or nachos and a side drink, and there you have it, the best fast food meal you could wish for. And, the staff is the absolute nicest!