The best food we’ve had in Marseille came from Italy. DD’s friend C____ is the chef at a new Italian restaurant on Blvd Vauban toward Notre Dame de La Garde, which means it was a uphill hike from the métro station. This didn’t stop it from being full on a Wednesday night, which seems a good sign.
Appetizer, chosen by the chef. I enjoyed this with a Kir Royale cocktail, then we started on wine.
SWMBO loves truffles, so this is what she had. I don’t know if Southern Italian cuisine normally uses a lot of truffles, but Provence is truffle country so why not.
I chose the item “della chef C___”, a squid ink pasta with cooked and raw tuna. I have never thought of combining cooked and raw of the same protein in a dish; will try that again sometime.
DD had this extravagant looking shrimp rissotto with (edible) gold flake.
The desserts were divine, and we may have over-ordered.
The kitchen is tiny, barely big enough for C___ and the plongeur (dishwasher), so C___ comes to the bar to make, or at least plate, the desserts.
Goodnight from the chef, server, and the third person is the owner (I think). DD’s friend M______ sometimes works as plongeur here, but not tonight.
I wanted to know more about how the restaurant was doing, but ever since they opened C___ has been working all the time, only meeting up briefly with his friends after closing time, so DD hasn’t had much detailed news. Online reviews are good, and the other customers seemed to like their meals, so knock on wood they are opening well.
Q