When he obtained three beach restaurants at Mourillon in Toulon last spring, it surprised more than one person. Christophe Charaut won the call for tenders following a procedure managed by the Metropolis.
And if, last August then very recently (read below), he actually opened two establishments (L'Stac and Péché Iodé). The third will not see the light of day. This is the old La Source.
The municipality has in fact terminated the temporary land occupation agreement which had been granted to it. “There is a lack of financial guarantees to cover the entirety of the investments. Therefore, we have the right to cancel the contract”justifies Robert Cavanna, deputy for finance and legal affairs.
The consequences
A first administrative step has therefore been taken and the start of the year promises to be busy. “We will relaunch a procedure probably in January, indicates the chosen one. A candidate can thus be chosen within two or three months. The idea is that the establishment can reopen after work in the summer.”
Go to court
The procedure will only concern the restoration part. The beach concession still depends on the Metropolis. “We are therefore not subject to a public service delegation. The procedures are therefore less long and less burdensome.”
For his part, Christophe Charaut does not like the City's decision concerning his establishment at all. He strongly contests the reasons given by the town hall.
“I provided the same documents as to TPM during the call for tenders. I don’t understand why what works for one community gets stuck with the other.” He also points out the administrative delays which would have prevented him from opening his establishment. “We only got the keys in July. And then, quickly, the town hall activated the suspensive conditions for the financial guarantees. As a result, the money was not released,” he denounces.
The businessman does not intend to stop there. “I am going to take the town hall to the administrative court. And ask for financial compensation. It still cost me 100,000 euros.”
“A feeling of waste”
If the anger is clearly visible in Christophe Charaut, the man says he is above all disappointed. “There is a feeling of waste. And I think especially of the employees of La Source who are still being dragged through these adventures.”
In response, he opened Péché Iodé on the beaches
The times are not necessarily all bad news for Christophe Charaut. The now ex-launcher of Pilou-Pilou (he returned the microphone on Saturday) opened his second establishment on the beaches of Mourillon. Sin Iodized now replaces Eden. An old dream for him that dates back more than twenty years.
Fish, star of the plate
And if in its first restaurant a few meters away, you will find a trendy bistro and meat menu, here it is fish that is in the spotlight.
From the moment they walk through the door, the customer is put in the mood. Decor in shades of blue, terrace in the shape of a boat deck, waiters in striped sailor tops… No doubt, we are on the edge of the Mediterranean!
On the menu, iodized flavors take center stage.
“We offer seafood, from Fine de Claire to Gillardeau for oysters, including shrimp, crabs and even lobster. On the main course, we find Toulon Bourride, Bouillabaisse (by reservation) but also a tuna tartare or even linguine with clams and sea urchin cream.”
Those who are more land than sea, rest assured, you are not forgotten. With in particular a vegetarian dish, a veal stew with truffle or even prime rib.
Freshness and quality
Christophe Charaut and his team focus on ultra-fresh products, the catch of the day and above all on quality. “We only cook wild fish and not farmed fish. he specifies.
Particular care has been taken with the cocktail menu. “Our customers can also enjoy a breakfast package with pastries, hot drinks, fruit juice and fruit salad”continues the trader.
It also plans to subsequently organize theme evenings for “show all the richness of gastronomy around seafood.”
Open (in winter): 7 days a week at noon and Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Dishes between 22 and 37 euros.
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