Maybe it’s unfair, but I always assume the worst about any place with an ideal location along the Promenade des Anglais. How could it be good value when it’s right on the tourist trail? Sarao has proven me completely wrong.

Not only is it well-located but the interior is spacious and tastefully decorated in warm, Mediterranean colors. The wood floors are polished to a sheen and the lighting is cheerful. How could the food be good?

Well it was. The inventive menu is designed to satisfy a wide range of palates, including non-meat-eaters such as myself. The emphasis on Spanish-style tapas allows you to nibble on a wide range of snacks or dig through a full meal, depending on your appetite. We sampled fried calamari rings, Spanish tortilla, stuffed mushrooms, mussels, fish cakes and fried potatoes. All were delicious. We choose an excellent Spanish red wine to wash it all down. Best of all were the reasonable prices. Sarao looks upscale but is not a budget-buster. Adding to the ambience was live music. The manager informed us that the violinist fiddling away was world-renowned. Unfortunately he was stuck with a mediocre group and a dreadful singer. At least the volume was not set to maximum.