Buried Treasure In Monte Carlo: Wine, Food And History

The allure of Monte Carlo is undeniable: gilded casinos, a race track filled with hair pin turns and a devastatingly chic air of wealth and luxury with not one but two palaces. The infamous city center and surrounding bay houses 2 deluxe hotels, 4 casinos and 3 spas including Les Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo which all offer opportunities to see and be seen. Each venue boasts stunning stunning architecture from the Opera, to the Salle des Etoiles, to Jimmy’z night club, the Monte Carlo Golf Club, the Monte Carlo Country Club not to mention the 33 bars and restaurants. Owned and operated by The Société des Bains de Mer since 1863, each destination is a feast for the senses. With a bit of guidance, navigating between the classic go-to’s and the newer dining options are scattered throughout the properties can lead to incredible culinary discoveries, plenty of popping champagne bottles and even a dash of historical subterfuge. Read on for a kick start to being any culinary journey in style, and a bit of intrigue and little known history for context.

The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Wine Cellars

What lurks in the largest hotel wine cellar in the world? While the James Bond-famous Belle Époque Casino is well known, the wine cellar holds plenty of treasures and just as many secret rendezvous with a less of the limelight. Referred to as the world’s greatest wine cellar, The Caves de l’Hotel de Paris just celebrated 150 years in existence. The cellar is a piece of history on its own. When François Blanc opened the hotel, his wife Marie used her own personal funds to build a cellar fit for the property. She hired over 100 workers who dug over 30ft down into the Monaco rocks.

While the current wine list is staggering, its most precious wines were only spared in WW2 because the built a fake wall built out of 7 rows of empty wine bottles that distracted the German soldiers from digging into the really special wines behind. After the war, Winston Churchill came to celebrate the reopening and an 1811 vintage rum was opened to mark the occasion. A few special bottles still exist but with 450,000 bottles in residence at any given time, a suitable choice is easy to find. In fact, champagne is the hottest commodity with 100,000 bottles served every year.

Today the layout remains unchanged including wooden trolleys the staff use to move wine. A special room, named after Marie Blanc, houses the remaining wines saved during WWII as well as some other extra special bottles. A cave aged grand crus cognac was bottled for the 150th anniversary but the celebration in Monte Carlo never really ends with tours and dinners as bookable options to experience a living piece of history.

Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, a restaurant by Yannick Alléno

The legendary Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo has incredible dining establishments but one of the newest and most understated is Pavyllon from three Michelin starred chef Yannick Alléno. With striking scenic views, lush velvet chairs and a stunning curved bar, the space offers a welcome respite in a contemporary yet luxe atmosphere. The main bar looks directly into the kitchen for a low key chef’s table meal made with as many local and seasonal ingredients as possible. The menu features items utilizing specialized techniques like fermentation, cold extraction and alternative sugars like birch sap and married with tried and true French technique for a classic cuisine with a fresh twist.

Amazónico Monte-Carlo

Amaźonico is the place to get the party started. While the space is located just above Café de Paris and next to Casino de Monte-Carlo, Amazónico is in a world of its own. Helmed by Sandro Silva and Marta Seco, this is the newest installment of Amazónico which began in Madrid and has expanded to London and Dubai. Known as a culinary journey through the Amazon Rainforest the menu pays homage to Latin American cuisines with plenty of tropical, Mediterranean and Asian influence to reflect the varied peoples who inhabit the vast country. Expect ceviche, sushi, and the freshest grilled meats and fish all set to the sounds of a various live music on the terrace from jazz to Bossa Nova and even a late night DJ.

Café de Paris Monte-Carlo

Guests have been traveling to this iconic brasserie in Monaco for 150 years and for good reason. The grand staircase and circular bar seats are still filled with locals, artists, celebrities and the occasional royal primed for sizzling escargot, grilled sole with thyme and an epic wine list with a bit of coastal flair. As newly reinstated head chef Victor Maron says, “Café de Paris Monte-Carlo is a Parisian brasserie on Mediterranean soil.”

Le Bar Américain

If history makes you thirsty, pop into Le Bar Américain which has been hosting the hoi paloi since the 1930’s. Nestled inside the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the cozy space has hosted musicians and performers like Frank Sinatra, who frequented table 34, and former guest Joséphine Baker. She notoriously organized a party for the Prince de Polignac to much acclaim. In fact, everyone from Lady Gaga to Edith Piaf, Charlie Chaplin to Cary Grant have enjoyed a tipple or two. There is live jazz music most nights and camaraderie galore with a mix of signature and classic cocktails, wines and homemade liqueurs.

Le Grill

The eighth floor of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo houses one of the most iconic Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Le Grill boasts panoramic views and exceptional plates from executive chef Dominique Lory of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and chef Julien Lasseaux. With seasonal and local produce grilled over live fire dishes like king prawns from the Gulf of Genoa and skewered meats are expertly paired with sommelier selected choices straight from the legendary wine cellar. Any meal at Le Grill is truly unforgettable.