Just a stone’s throw from the main strip of restaurants in the area of Suquet Hill, Le Bistrot Gourmand is tucked away on a quiet street, making dining outside as intimate as it is inside.
You’ll feel a world away from Cannes’ hustle and bustle, with its sightseers and overflowing bars. From the outside it may look like every other restaurant but inside it has some of the best food in town.
Crafted with care
Founded in 2007, the restaurant recently changed ownership. Under the leadership of Mathieu Dauphin, Le Bistrot Gourmand goes the extra mile to craft memorable meals for both locals and tourists.
Mathieu, who previously worked at some of Cannes’ most prestigious restaurants including The Carlton and La Petite Maison, brings a wealth of experience and a willingness to surprise even the most sophisticated guests. Diners are in safe hands here.
You can choose from an à la carte menu or a 3-course set menu. If you’re not familiar with French cuisine, the set menu is a safer option that still includes the restaurant’s signature dishes and desserts. However, if you’re in the mood for adventure, select individual dishes and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from the friendly staff.
A taste of France
We started with Beignets de Fleurs de Courgettes – a very popular dish in France, especially in the South. These are zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta cheese, served in small paper cones on a rack.
The second starter was Oeuf Parfait, truffle oil-infused mashed egg with asparagus. If you’re looking for something even more authentic, frog legs and Provencal-style snails are also on the menu.
The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine made with seasonal products. For example, the catch of the day was the rare Monkfish, freshly caught. Meat lovers should try the French beef tenderloin (Aubrac) with green pepper sauce and dauphinois gratin or French veal.
Le Bistrot Gourmand also offers Truffle Beef Tagliata, an Italian-style grilled steak with vegetables. Vegetarian customers will be pleased with the large plate of mushroom ravioli, served with truffle cream and parmesan. Each course is created using the highest quality ingredients that shine through with every bite and is expertly paired with wine.
The piece de resistance
When people go out to eat they might order some starters, a few mains and maybe some sides, but what about dessert? Often skipped or looked down upon as something sweet to satisfy at the end of a meal. Not here, the crown jewel of the menu is hiding in the dessert section.
All the sweet treats are impressive but the presentation of the Pot de Fleurs Renverse (Overturned Flower Pot) – inspired by a trip Mathieu took to St Petersburg – is truly exceptional. Creatively assembled on the plate to look like a broken flower pot with crumbly chocolate resembling soil and garnished with strawberries and real flowers. A work of culinary art and the perfect end to a five-star meal.
Le Bistrot Gourmand is located at 10 Rue du Dr Pierre Gazagnaire, 06400 Cannes, France. More information can be found here.
Image credits: © Le Bistrot Gourmand, Travel with Style
