Don't forget to bring Euros before ordering! This place won't take credit cards or dollars. That's…read morewhat I did and had to walk to Monte Carlo Bay Casino, a 2 mile walk, to the nearest ATM.
I stumbled upon this beautiful restaurant, which has an unobstructed view of the Mediterranean, during a lunch walk with my colleague from our office and so of course I had to take Nicole. It's one of those places that you can't resist walking by and saying wow. Well not only was the view great but the food was exquisite.
The location of the restaurant is tricky. It is situated near the eastern boarder of Monaco but on French soil. You'll find it less than 1.5 miles west of Monaco on the Path called the Sentier du Littoral, which is an ocean side trail that runs all the way to Italy. It's not easy to find but once you do, you'll see placards of it (see picture). I would take a cab or walk from Monaco. Most of the roads leading to it are blocked.
We ordered a bottle of Côte du Rhone red and sparkling water. The red was much like a Pino Noir, not too light and not too heavy. As an appetizer we shared their fried calamari. Stupendously delicious! The breading on the squid was prefect and if you are a calamari lover then you'll love some of the long tentacles they had. Tasted like the essence of ocean.
Sitting among a garden of palms and different planted flowers with a seaside view, for the main course we ordered Mediterranean Sea Bass which came with sautéed medley of vegetables including peppers, olives, tomatoes, and zucchini, and fried gnocchi cubes. Nicole pointed out that the olives along the Mediterranean are much milder in flavor than in the US and are much more palatable and agreeable.
The Mediterranean sea bass, not to be confused with a Chilean Sea Bass, had the consistency of trout without the gamey flavor, was presented to us twice: first, right after it had been prepared but not filleted on a beautiful serving tray; it was presented again on a dinning plate for dinner. Evidently, the presentation is a matter of equal importance as the service at La Difference, and it showed!
At a table next to us were seated a nice couple from Russia and Turkey whom we discussed everything from our working vacation to our gastronomic adventures. They also had the sea bass and commented it was served a bit dryer than they were used to in Turkey, which also boarders the Mediterranean and has access to the same fish.
Wonderfully sated, we retraced the steps I had taken back along the shore to the Monte Carlo Bay Casino on this nearly full moon night. It was a great night.
