Le Pingouin Bleu - Sainte-Maxime

As written in perfect words: the whole thing looks like a little paradise at the Côte d 'Azur. Where can you park your car almost on the beach for free ? Staff appears (with difference here and there to be a described in Right Said Fred 's I 'm to sexy for your ... Et cetera . Very very busy with themselves .. (Or telephone the Pictures on the bar give more context of this statement. The food: salad chèvre chaud: rough salad, almonds, tomato and three pieces of toasted bread with cheese. (One fell off while putting at table, had to ask for it again .. Very little ingredients for the price ... The 'girls ' have a high tempo in running up and down ... The make it happen here Aperol spritz ... Not available (2 days ... The spot is a golden one. I will certainly come back and 'ignore ' the rest ... The bay from here seen is incredible ...

We first visited le Pinguin Bleu about 16 years back and went there regularly over the next 3/4 years. It was a wonderful, tucked away beach restaurant/bar with fun people and a small, but uncrowded beach. The barbecued fresh food was beautiful and all was served on long 'tree trunk ' tables on the sand. Last week, we visited for the first time after a 12 year break from Ste Maxime. Of course, there were changes the large tables had been replaced with smaller, more standard stuff, probably to increase the capacity, but the ambiance and style remained. The food also, (we had Chef 's burger and the John Dory special) was the best we experienced on our short break. Staff were friendly and efficient, if not quite as trendy and fun as they used to be. So, we booked lunch for the following day. The barman asked for my phone number, in case of bad weather. Well, it did rain the following morning, but not for long and all beach restaurants opened for lunch. But, when we arrived at le Penguin Bleu, we found it closed, as did the other would be visitors who had also booked a table. There was a chalk noticeboard apologising for the closure 'due to 'exceptional ' weather conditions. Nobody we met outside had been contacted either and to be frank, we were all quite disgusted at what we took to be a complacent attitude to customers. As a matter of principle, we decided not to visit on our final day. We still love the place and may go back should we return to Ste Maxime one day. But, the edge has been taken off because we like to be valued as customers, not taken for granted. Hence 4 stars and not 5. I see some comment about prices. Two sunbeds plus umbrella costs 25 euros for a full day. Go to Mahi at la Nartelle beach and that will cost you 35 euros. The John Dory special was 19.50 euros. I have seen similar dishes priced at up to 30 euros.

Des moules à la crème presque froides la crème était d’ailleurs figée deux autres plats spécial maison soit moules et sardines au feu de bois beaucoup de goût mais tièdes c’est très dommage ça aurait pu être très bien car le cadre est vraiment sympa Je voudrais aussi dire mais cela concerne d’autres restaurants que mettre une tarte au micro-ondes pour qu’elle soit tiède ramolli la pâte je n’ai toujours pas compris cette pratique…

Lovely casual beach restaurant. Food is top quality, huge choice with blackboard full of Specials as well as classic menu. Food from the BBQ is excellent. Staff are super friendly and professional, service is quick and efficient. Restaurant now open for dinner in Summer on some evenings and is just as good. Just book as they are busy……. Reputation travels!! Went back here several times as it is away from the crowds and easy to park.

Super nice located at the beach (prepare for sand! , the guys serve excellent food and you can enjoy a shady place under the trees! Quite busy during weekends but even if you are asked to wait, it is worth it. Recommended are the fish menus!