Le Relais 50 – excellent first dinner in Marseille

Last night on a recommendation from friends we ate at the Relais 50 in Marseille's Vieux Port. Don't be put of by the short menu as the food is excellent and the service is very friendly but at the same time professional. Fortunately I had booked several days beforehand as the restaurant is quite small and popular, so is often full. 

Noël Baudrand is the chef. He is from Marseille and is certainly creative.

Very definitely recommended.

Fish paste with little toasts as mise en bouche

2014 Château Roubine Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence 

(grapes may be Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Syrah)

Even though there was a white Sancerre from Vincent Delaporte on the wine list we decided to drink local and chose this soft 2014 Côtes de Provence red from Château Roubine. 

Amuse bouche – crème de riz au citron 

delicious unusual flavours

First courses: 

Encornet: comme un maki aux oeufs de poisson volant potimarron 

et tuile croustillante

Truffe noir: en tatin de céleri rave et salade de mâche 

Main course:

The day's special: a medallion of lotte

Desserts:

Chocolate 72%: en souffle glacé aux cacahuètes caramélisées

 

Litchi: en tube croustillant de noix de coco. Perle du Japon.

Un peu de gingembre.

(a new and stunning dessert on the carte)

First impressions of Marseille

 I thought we had left Paris behind

....it must be bigger than I imagined...

 Shellfish stalls at Toinou
(above and below)

Choice of lobsters etc.

A dozen oysters and a glass each of local 

white wine as an apéro before dinner  – Yum!

The Big Wheel @Le Vieux Port

La Maison Empereur – one of the oldest hardware shops in France 

The Opera House  

Le Vieux Port

Le Relais 50 – and so to an excellent dinner
(subject of the next post)