We will be spending 3 nights in Avignon and 2 nights in Nice starting October 9th and we will have a car.

1. We will be celebrating a birthday in Avignon and would like a recommendation for a very nice romantic restaurant. We like seafood, pasta and meats and cost would not be a concern. Something with a nice view and the opportunity to sit outdoors would be great.

2. We like to wander around the back roads in a car so if anyone has some recommendations for great drives, nice villages, etc. that would be appreciated.

3. Any rec's for restaurants in the Nice area.

thank you.

Our favorite restaurant in Vieux Nice is L'Ecurie, 4 rue du Marché: Niçois specialties, Italian and French food. The garlicky salad is terrific, and the pastas and pizza are very good.

For seafood, head to a local favorite, Café Turin; it's near the modern-art museum.

As for Avignon, ýou might go across the Rhône to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and dine at La Magnanareie or Le Prieuré, two hotels with excellent restaurants and garden dining.

When we were in Avignon in 2000, the best restaurant in the area was called by the name of the chef-owner - Christian Ettiene. It had one Michelin star and was an absolutely fantastic experience - one of the best restaurants we have ever eaten in. It still exists but I suggest you do some research to make sure it it still has the magic it had then. I don't remember that it had an "outside dining area" but it is housed in a building adjoining the Pope's Plalce, and the restaurant looks like a museum.

Here is the URL:
http://www.christian-etienne.fr/home.htm

Regarding our trip to provence, perhaps my web page can help your planning your upcoming trip. The URL is:
http://www.travel.stv77.com/provence/provence.htmlup

We, too, will be in Provence around that time celebrating my birthday. One of our favorite restaurants in Avignon is Hiely -- wonderful food, but no outdoor seating. The restaurant is on the second floor and you can get a table overlooing the street. Favorites in Nice are La Merenda (no telephone, but can stop by to make a reservation), La Zucca Magica (fabulous vegetarian food in a very low key, casual restaurant on the quai), and, if money is no object -- Le Chantecler at the Negresco -- exquisite food and service. And, of course, socca (chickpea crepes) at Therese's stand on the Cours Saleya.

ttt

Brunel, on rue de la Balance in Avignon, was recommended to us for New Year's Eve several years ago, and it was an excellent meal. I just Googled it, and see that it is still listed as one of the area's nicest restaurants.