Vita Nova

In an elegant, vaulted interior, chef Quentin Sanchez sings a heartfelt ode to produce. Organic veg, farm-reared veal, local fish and olive oil: meticulous sourcing that also features a handful of cherry-picked ingredients from outside the island, like anchovies from Cantabria, Jersey beef and Breton lobster. The focus is on substance over showmanship, underscored by spot-on technique and seasoning, crisp plating and bold, forthright flavours.

The name Radiche, or "roots", hints at the agenda of this chef from Bastia who, after several years in mainland France, has returned home and opened this bistro on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. In a decor that oozes unpolished charm, Corsican ingredients are prepared with panache; the forthright and generous dishes often show flashes of creative flair. A case in point is the bluefin tuna crudo in an iced prisuttu broth seasoned with bottarga, or the floating islands topped with fermented milk cream and accompanied by a tarragon sorbet.