La Pinède is a good seafood restaurant on the Mediterranean shore nested between Monaco and Cap Ferrat. You can walk along the sea from Monaco enjoying the fresh air or conveniently arrive by car accessing it through the village of Cap D’Ail. Its hidden location makes La Pinède a popular escape for a romantic dinner or a refreshing lunch for families strolling the path on weekends and holidays.
Sea view from La Pinède
Cuisine: French, seafood, Mediterranean, Provençal
Visit: April 2012
Price: high with some main courses approaching the €50 price tag.
Atmosphere: Super romantic when you are sitting by the windows (open during warm months), looking over to the sea and listening to the soothing hiss of waves. You are right there on the rocks of the seashore. You can sit outside, have an aperitif in one of the lounge chairs or opt for sometimes warmer indoor seating. The restaurant is really big and offers a choice of various atmospheres depending on in which of the rooms you are sitting. At the back by the bar there is rustic, mountain challet reminding darker room for coller evenings or after-dinner drinks. Then there are two rooms turning into a terrace during the summer. Both boost with a lovely sea view and lots light.
A table by the window at La Pinède
Food: La Pinède is known for its seafood and fish which comes directly from Corsica. There is some meat on the menu, but it is mostly not what diners come here for. Try their Boullabaisse fish soup or Rock fish « maison » soup with its Provençal « rouille » mayonnaise as they are both excellent here and can be both a rich appetizer or nourishing main course.  The Rock fish soup is one of the best ones I had in France.
Rock fish soup with rouille sauce
Desiring something lighter get the Carpaccio of scallop shell, tuna and salmon. It is fresh and delicate, yet on a huge plate so if you choose it as an appetizer share it with someone.
Carpaccio of scallop shell, tuna and salmon
Grilled prawns with garlic and fresh basil are good quality seafood, yet to my taste it was too oily, actually the prawns were swimming in oil and who wants that if a delicious oil and eggs-based homemade tartare sauce is served with this course. Unless you eat lots of bread with it, you will wake up with a tummy ache.
Grilled prawns - see the oil
A better choice were the Oven baked Bay prawns with Provence herbes as they were not too oily, but fresh, juicy and mellow. They are expensive, but delicious and the portion is generous.

La Pinède offers also three kinds of tasting menus, which can be a good value for money and are quite flexible in terms of selection.
Domaine Ott wine & similarly shaped olive oil
Drinks:The wine list is purely French oriented with wines in all price points and half-bottle and magnum sized wines suit every occasion. We have got an interesting half bottle of white wine from Domaine Ott. This Provencial winery is known for its rose wine so we were curious if their white wine is also worth the domaine’s great reputation. The Blanc de Blancs made from Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc was perfect with the seafood. Fruity, crisp and refreshing. For €35 in this small version it was not the cheapest wine, yet it was a good value in terms of taste.Wines from big names such as Cheval Blanc from Bordeaux feature on the list as well and they come with a high price tag. Although, cheaper than at many restaurants in Monaco.
If you feel like an aperitif before your dinner, then a glass of house champagne or one of the classical cocktails such as Bellini,. Kir Royal, Margarita or a non-alcoholic La Paradise will do. Owing to its lovely lounge terrace, many diners opt for a pre-diner drink there.
Opening hours & contact: Open every day (except on Wednesdays) from March to October, for lunch and dinner. Tel: +33.(0)4.93.78.37.10