With one day and night in Monte Carlo earlier this month, we had to be be sure to hit all of the culinary hot spots in a short amount of time. That meant lunching at the Cafe Du Paris while people watching the crowds swarming in and out of the casino, and dinner at A’Trego in nearby Cap D’Ail.
A’Trego is a beautiful restaurant on the water overlooking Monaco, where attention to design is as important to their food. The space is designed by famed French designer Philippe Starck and it is a blend of approachable beach chic meets Hamptons and Cote D’Azur. Their are nautical touches throughout the restaurant that play off of the sea view and the sounds of the water.
We loved that it felt like you were in someone’s immaculately appointed home while floating on the sea. There were eclectic pieces like bookshelves, a grand piano, and comfy but stylish couches throughout. We loved the small chandeliers hanging throughout and the white alligator heads near the crown molding.
We opted for a delicious tasting menu so that we could fully sample the fare. As starters, we had a ceasar salad with prawns, a great burrata cheese with fresh tomatoes and a red tuna carpaccio. The burrata was creamy and smooth — a real stand out.
Moving on to mains, we opted for e had a delicious beef tagliata with parmesan cheese and truffles (pictured above). I can’t begin to describe how decadent this dish was and how perfectly cooked the pasta was. We ate every last piece and then soaked up the remaining sauce with some bread.
We also had a sea bass in a salt crust and a delicious duck breast dish (both pictured above). The duck was one of the best duck dishes I’ve ever had. It was super tender and tasty. The crust on the sea bass was a great touch. The meal was followed by three desserts that we struggled to get through because of all of the food we had prior, plus a nice bottle of red.
I would gladly recommend A’Trego. Between the delicious food and beautiful decor, the restaurant really tantalizes all of your senses. Here’s a pro tip: If it’s a nice night, call ahead and request a table outside overlooking the water.