Tucked in between the train station and the Vieux-Port neighborhood of Marseille, Crabe-Toro is a tiny bistro that feels a bit like a seaside cabana – an open kitchen, tablecloths the colors of the Olympique soccer team and a heatwave-proof pergola. That’s where Clément Froger-Berthoux and Quentin Panabieres (the former sommelier at Otäp) decided to treat the people of Marseille to daily feasts. Back in town after ten years of exile in Brussels, the duo has already won over this section of the Panier neighborhood with the mouthwatering and original sandwiches they serve at lunch: ciabatta filled with roasted octopus and a seaweed-infused mayonnaise; baguette stuffed with truffles, straciatella and marinated arugula – and knock-out tapas: exquisite roasted celery with grated hazelnuts and an herby pesto; incredible mussels paired with sautéed Alpine pork; clever veal tartare seasoned with capers and black olives; plump fingerling potatoes served with some heavenly paprika-spiced aioli for dipping; and a cheeky lemon and chestnut cream tart for dessert… // Naomi Bordet
FEELING THIRSTY? Wash it all down naturally: an Alsatian orange wine from Vincent Stoeffler (€5.50 a glass), a Catalan white from Celler Tuets (€30 a bottle), an Aude pet’ nat’ from the Domaine Les Hautes Terres (€40)…
PRICE: Sandwiches €7-10, small plates €5-14.
