Let’s go to France – Part 1

Monte Carlo or bust you might say! Good wine, beautiful food, fast cars and cool vibes.

Travelling across the world to Europe from Australia is a long way —no way around smoothing over that —however it is so worth it!

First stop Nice — how nice! 

Finally made it for a rather fun and wonderful trip from Nice to Monaco then on to St Tropez and then Province. Even as I say it I have to pinch myself it really was as Grace Kelly might have said ‘Ya.’

Nice airport is busy for a small airport, and when hiring a car it can be challenging manoeuvring your luggage trolley through the maze and slopes to find your car. Then to engage it into reverse is quite interesting and needed assistance from some friendly locals to understand the technique used to reverse on the Renault Captur — ho hum — bit of a challenge but I grasped the knack. 

Onwards to Monaco only (supposedly a 30 min drive from the airport) however it was not to be. Due to my gorgeous navigator missing turnings, I went back and forth down tunnels to get to Monte Carlo’s esplanade with Le Meridien Beach towards the end. This is a great beach venue and get ready to see sand even in the lobby area with half-clad models strutting their stuff off to a photoshoot or two. The room was spacious with a simply gorgeous view of the beach, oh yes, the French Rivera has its own charm — sand is replaced with pebbles and each view is off a postcard impression.

Lots of treats were in store: my good friend and traveling companion Lynne Bellinger, Director of F & B Business Development EMEA at Marriott International had lined up restaurants for me to write about and the Giraudi Group was one with a difference, so I was very keen to experience. They have many restaurants in their portfolio; from Asian, Italian, beef and dessert bar restaurants. But they also have meats, franchises and a focus on lifestyle. I met with the Executive Director and Group CFO of the Giraudi Group Eric Van Griethuysen who, with his team, were our guides for the evening introducing us to their restaurants.

We started in their Tuscan bistro which had an al fresco vibe on the esplanade called Cantinetta Antinori. A duo sang a medley of Italian ballads encapsulating the Italian dream. We started with an Asti Supamante and Aperol Spritz for others, then sat at a long table with gorgeous antipasti – the burrata took my breath away it was so fresh and moist. The Chianti Classico was a Gran Selezione 2012 ‘Badia A Passignano and a delight. The balsamic was the finest Grade 4 Acetaia Leonardi 1871 and the olive oil by Peppoli a Chianti Classico. All the delicious, cured meats and the accompaniments were fabulous. The warm hospitality was welcome and as the wine flowed we became acquainted further.

I walked with one of the team across the road to view another of their businesses, a vibrant trattoria with limoncello goodness cascading around the top shelves. This was another restaurant owned by the Giraudi Group ‘PIZZ ARIA’ with signature pinsa wood-fired pizzas. I learnt a quick lesson whilst enjoying the ambience and breathing in the amazing aromas, and that is ….don’t say you would like to try something! As we returned across the road to the Italian restaurant, pizzas followed us, and we were indulged with an added course — little did I know what else was in store! 

Next course was an Asian restaurant called Song Qi . This had a fresh and inviting look with huge murals and attentive staff. We sat in a semi-circle banquette and the Asian treats started to flow. There was a steady stream to enhance our pleasure and show off the exquisite culinary skills of the chef. From sticky Beef Bao buns branded with their emblem to glazed duck. This was presented then created into delicious pancake rolls which was impressive. We enjoyed a tasting menu of Asian treats of sushi, ceviche and Alain Ducasse’s sparkling sake. The champagne cocktail adorned with a cumquat was light and balanced. On a stone grilled hibachi we enjoyed an array of delicious fish. The sake japonais kept coming and the Tokubetsu Junmai was soft and smooth and yet 15% alcohol.

To digest we part walked, and we were shuttled to the marina area viewing the super yachts and arriving at the jewel in the Giraudi crown of the Beefbar butcher shop with its alfresco half in and out staging. We walked in and were met with sides of beef hanging and aging, Kobe beef rolled and other beef showing off their marbling. A luxurious feel and you could see this restaurant knew their stuff on all things beef. We enjoyed an assortment of beef styled dishes to tempt even the most discerning palate – from beef gyoza, beef tacos, mini Big K Chimichurri beef burger, sticky Beef Baos and more showcasing all things beef and the Kobe beef was delicious.

Just when we think we cannot eat anymore we ‘as the French do’ promenaded after dinner to digest, however it was not to be, as we had another treat in store.

The most amazing dessert bar styled as a yachties bar, which lent itself to the backdrop of all the super yachts lined up like soldiers. We arrived at Mozza another long table laid with an array of tempting desserts and aperol spritz. What a great way to wrap an extraordinary night in Monte-Carlo. 

Restaurant Locations

Beefbar, Monaco, 42 Quai Jean Charles Rey, Monaco

SongQi, 7 Avenue Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco – Monte Carlo  

Cantinetta Antinori, 11 Av. Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco

Mozza, 11 Rue du Portier, Monaco