Petite Maison (La)

Description:

• This bustling and noisy tavern in the heart of the old town resides in a 19th-century grocery store. Locals guard the address, hoping it won't be mobbed by tourists. Those regulars include Elton John and his longtime companion, who live in a villa nearby. It's usually packed with diners wanting to taste this array of Niçoise cuisine, the authenticity of which is virtually unequalled in the city. Try the town's finest zucchini-blossom fritters, and finish with a dessert that will send you rushing to the phone to call Gourmet magazine -- homemade ice cream flavored with pine nuts and candied orange blossoms. In between, you may enjoy a succulent array of grilled fish, pastas, and steaks, all prepared with the right Mediterranean touches and just enough garlic.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010