Chez Nicole Café PMU — Restaurant in Boulogne-sur-Mer

When I was a child, the North of France was a popular destination because of the good weather, beautiful surroundings and gastronomy. It seems like time has stopped in Café Chez Nicole, because when we went there for dinner last weekend it looked exactly the same as 18 years ago. The same modest menu (mussels with fries or ham with fries), the same huge portions of mussels (the picture shows a serving of two) and even the same bartenders. The mussels were quite small and had a white appearance, but the taste was great! No sand or crabs in them. The fries looked greasy at first but were delicious, and had a good crunch to them. The Tarte Papin (a flan cake with plums) that I took for dessert was light and creamy. Unfortunately I found only 1 dried plum in my piece though. Chez Nicole is a simple, low-key place, but expect to enjoy a friendly,...

A EVITER-AVOID!!! English version below

Pour les 70 ans de ma maman, j'avais réservé. Un mois à l'avance. Et confirmé la veille. Nous arrivons en groupe avec 15 minutes de retard (14 enfants, 5 voitures-grosses organisation). La personne à l'accueil me dit d'abord qu'il n'y a pas de réservation. Et puis que nous sommes 15 minutes trop tard et que notre table a été donnée à un autre groupe... Quand je lui explique que je n'ai jamais vu cela de ma vie, elle ose même dire: moi Monsieur quand je vais chez le médecin et que j'ai rendez-vous pour 12h30, j'y suis même à l'avance... Je pense qu'elle devrait aller voir son médecin plus souvent... Complètement décérébrée. Cela fait peur. J'espère qu'elle n'a pas eu l'occasion de procréer car c'est dangereux pour la race humaine. Bref, passez votre chemin. Ce sont des personnes qui n'ont aucun sens humain. Nous avons été accueillis dans l'établissement d'à côté: Le Vivier-Le Herlen. Très Très sympathique.

ENGLISH: Booked (I rang them twice) for the 70th Birthday of my mother. We arrived at 12:45. They first claimed there was no booking. Then that we were 15 minutes late... We were the 25 of us with 14 children. Imagine how difficult it is to be exactly on time. When I explained them that I find it completely crazy she even answered: 'you know when I have a doctor's appointment I am even there before the time'. I guess she should go to the doctor more often and have a brain transplantation... Unbelievable. We went to the restaurant next door (Le Vivier). Very nice!!! If you happen to go past the restaurant 'Café Nicole' do not hesitate to remind them the way they handled the reservation of my mother's 70th Anniversary. But don't eat there. They don't deserve one single penny you would...

Moules frites 11,50 euro, Pelforth beer on tap, fine red and white wines, people here treat you straight forward, it's their café and you are here as long as it suits them. Obligatory bon soir is exchanged and you can find your own table of course in the restaurant part. Tourists mix with the locals, don't expect too much and you are surprised by what you're getting. Spend some time near the bar, it's fun. Service with a smile would be fine but hay, this is...