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The restaurant Spoon is the creation of the French restaurateur Alain Ducasse and is an unexpected exercise in contemporary minimalism on top of one of the most historic hills on the north African coastline. Byrsa was the citadel of Carthage, the ninth century BC 'Shining City' built, according to legend, by Queen Elissar Dido. The city ruins lie just above Villa Didion, the hotel that houses this restaurant. The food couldn't possibly taste as good as it looks because presentation is everything here. Ducasse has designed a multi-ethnic menu and has created certain signature dishes for spoon . . .
lemon-spiced maltagliati with shellfish and crustaceans, warm softboiled egg with mullet, Catalan-style chicken breast and pan-seared swordfish in a sweet and sour sauce.
The view Huge windows give some of the best coastline views in Tunisia. Immediately below the restaurant are the ancient Punic ports of Carthage, one circular and the other rectangular.
Beyond lies the bay of Tunis with Mt Bou Koumine rising on the horizon.
People come here to dine around sunset . . . or just to sip a gin and tonic as the sun dips.
Expect to pay about 30 per person for two courses.
Tunisian wines start at just around 15.
Spoon, Villa Didon, 2016 Carthage, Byrsa, Tunisia (00 216 717 334 33, www. villadidon. com)
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YOU ARE HERE: 19 March 2007 / tribune.ie / 2006 / 02 / 12
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