Candlemas, celebrated every year on February 2nd, has for tradition to eat pancakes. The pancakes, because of their shape and color, evoke the sun and therefore the end of winter. On the French Riviera, this festival announces the arrival of Carnival.
You can taste the traditional pancakes with sugar, chocolate, jam or Nutella in all the cafés that prepare them for the occasion. But you can also try original variations of the "French Riviera". Here are my favorites:
The Monegasque at the Metropole Monte-Carlo :
Specially made to pay tribute to the principality, this composition by Patrick Mesiano, one of the virtuosos of sweetness on the French Riviera, includes a raspberry confit, a light vanilla whipped cream, all accompanied by a raspberry coulis. White and red evoke the colors of the Monegasque flag. Prepared in front of you, elegant and delicious! 17, Avenue des Spélugues, Monaco.
Lilian Bonnefoi's Candlemas VIP:
Lilian Bonnefoi, famous pastry chef of the Hotel Cap-Eden-Roc, has concocted a dessert that is a real delight: this pancake cake with a citrus confit and rum for Candlemas. You can also choose the VIP raspberry or the VIP chocolate hazelnut, the favorite of the youngest. Original composition to eat pancakes in the form of chic cake. 2, Place du Safranier, Antibes.
La Crêpe Suzette at the Café de Paris, Monte-Carlo :
On the French Riviera, people want to believe the legend that the crêpe Suzette was born at the Café de Paris. In the 19th century, the Prince of Wales, who was having lunch at the Café de Paris with his girlfriend Suzette, asked Chef Carpentier to prepare pancakes with liqueur; the pan caught fire, which pleased the Prince who asked that this new recipe be named after his girlfriend. Orange, butter, Grand Marnier and sugar...a delight to be tasted at the Café de Paris! Place du Casino, Monaco.
"Candlemas at your door is the end of the dead leaves". Proverb of my grandmother
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