He is (so far) the only man I have ever arranged to meet in a wholesale market at the unearthly hour of 3am. That was almost 20 years ago. At the time, Alain Llorca was the star chef at the Chantecler restaurant in Nice's Negresco hotel, and we met to do some shopping for the next day's menu. Since then, we have both gained in age and experience - not to mention a few more kilos, but he more than me.Read more

There are 15 private beach restaurants along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, and I have tried about 80 per cent of them - one of the joys of living so close to the sea. The standout so far is Florida Beach, situated at the western end of the coastline. If you are tired of the Niçois salad/goats cheese salad/steak tartar/ pizza/entrecote menus that saturate the city of Nice, then you'll appreciate the Asian flavours that appear here alongside traditional French beachside dishes. Add to that service with a smile and a sparkling Mediterranean Sea, and there's simply no other place you'd wish to beRead more

Paloma, situated on the rocky peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, is more than a beach restaurant, it's an institution. First opened in 1948, Paloma is the gem that arose from the post-war years, quickly becoming the vacation resort of the world elite. And so it has remained, attracting the likes of Jack Nicholson, Roger Moore, Sean Connery, Keanue Reeves, Tom Cruise, Mick Jagger, Jean Cocteau and Winston Churchill, to name but a few.Read more

Maya Bay in Monaco has taken the best of Asian cuisine - Thai and Japanese - and put them side-by-side in a wonderful display of skill and sophistication. Impeccable service and contrasting oriental design all work to elevate a 'nice meal out' to an 'exceptional dining experience' - and at a surprisingly reasonable price.Read more