Its location at the end of the port is better known for touristy photo-ops than as a chic culinary destination. La Tour is a historic outcropping of the former-walled city once occupied by a café and tourist bar in previous years. No longer under the helm of St. Tropez's Joseph, who operates three other restaurant within a 3-minute walk, the restaurant is a picturesque restaurant with burgeoning evening lounge scene. A stacked-stone façade and long staircase leads to the main restaurant, more in line with the foodie formality of St. Tropez's better eateries tucked inside its old town. A beige and white color scheme extends through the main dining room and lounge area with its dramatic open windows overlooking the lively harbor and yacht-lined port. Best at sunset and then again late in the evening, diners should arrive on either side of the evening's 9pm dinner rush to find the best tables and atmosphere.
The Food
La Tour has evolved into a foodie-minded restaurant in stark contrast to the more clubby collection of lounges better known for their riotous nightlife along the port. La Tour is more in line with traditional St. Tropez eateries offering a lively destination for market fresh dinners located on the main port without morphing into a full-on nightclub at the stroke of 10pm. Appetizers include a Mediterranean sampling of fresh carpaccios, seasonal salads and the occasional homemade foie gras served seared or as a terrine. Entrees are heavy on seafood with fresh-caught white fish like cod and sea bass dueling with langoustines and the occasional lobster. Meat-lovers are best to stick with the menu and the house filet in lieu of daily specials that tend to be overly complicated with sauces.
Last Word
Following its early opening in 2008 and struggling through much of 2009, the restaurant has been acquired by new owners and rave reviews in 2010.
