Brasserie Nord-Pinus Review

Reviewed by sceachgeal from Ireland on 10/6/09
We blame ourselves. We did not obey our own golden rule: when in France eat where the locals eat. We did, however, want one special lunch on our trip. We are not in the Kate Moss behind the Raybans class, so to pay relatively a lot for what could charitably be described as adequate was disappointing. The lovely square with the Van Gogh night café was busy, but not Nord Pinus. So that was mistake one, not to go to where the bulk of the populace was eating.

I realise manger a midi in France is never going to reach stellar culinary heights but whoever Nord Pinus' chef of the day was was a very lowly trainee indeed. I have to think that the evening menu cannot be as bad or they would not survive, but then perhaps they are trading on past glories, the whiff of Picasso, Brassai et al.

The previous day at a very unpretentious canalside cafe in Beaccaire for 12.50 euro I had a tomato and mozarella salad, tuna steak with rice, crème brûlée, a 1/4 litre of good red and a coffee.

At Nord Pinus I opted, by way of comparison for the same starter and main course and, quality of mozarella apart, I found the meal which cost less than one-third to be as good, if not better.

By the end of lunch we were no longer alone. We were joined by one woman who ate nothing but seemed to be sketching, a couple of wine-drinking young women who seemed to be the waitresses best friends, a very elderly gentleman who appeared to be staying at the hotel and between courses and three English people who I overheard decrying the quality of what they were lead to believe was a two-star restaurant.

Meanwhile everywhere else on the square was doing a roaring lunch trade. Following the herd is not always the best option but a restaurant devoid of the French speaks volumes.

Member Rating: 1.2
Ratings details: Food: 1.0 Atmosphere: 2.0 Service: 1.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by bdelpapa from Lisbon, OH on 5/7/09
We often follow Fodor for restaurant suggestions, but this one was a bomb as far as the food went. Our appetizers were interesting and good, but my bouillabaisse was about 2 cups of lack-luster fish broth with chunks of white fish - garnished with a langostino. My husband's osso bucco was also without flavor, was tough and the portion was small. It was way overpriced. Interiors were interesting, but not interesting enough to pay over $100 for two dinners. We suggest you make a wide detour around this one.

Member Rating: 2.4
Ratings details: Food: 1.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 1.0