While I was in Paris I ate at the world’s 40th best restaurant – Le Chateuabriand – located in the 11th Arrondisment.

It was intimate, there were no pictures on the wall, the tables were wooden and packed closely together. There was only one menu – 5 courses – and absolutely no choice!

The only way to maybe have something changed or removed from the dish was for allergy reasons (and even this wasn’t guaranteed). Simple dislike of a food type i.e. tomatoes did not warrant it being removed from the dish.

Le Chateuabriand - image courtesy of Meg Zimback (http://www.flickr.com/photos/megzimbeck)

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I didn’t think I’d enjoy the inflexible menu as much as I did. I loved the fact that I did not have to choose my meal! It was really easy – the food was all very enjoyable – and we had a great evening.

Diner-proof menus are something I’ve noticed are appearing in a number of the top restaurants world-wide. Are they a trend or are they here to stay?

My personal opinion is that they’ll be around for a while. The customers that visit the top restaurants in the world all lead exceptionally busy lives and, when you’re that busy, it’s nice to have a few hours where you’re not required to made decisions. Plus when the menu has been diner-proofed the emphasis is placed on enjoying spectacular dishes the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

While I was in Paris I stayed at the always excellent Hotel Daniel – a Relais & Châteaux property. Hotel Daniel is located just off the Champs Elysee which, if you’ve ever visited or are planning on visiting Paris, is a great position. Nice, central and authentically Parisian.

Whenever I visit the Hotel Daniel it feels like coming home! The wonderful host – Madame Cecile – is always there to make me, and any of her other guests, feel incredibly welcome.

If you’re planning on visiting Paris you simply have to stay at the Hotel Daniel.

Perfect for those who want an unforgettable introduction to wine, or those who want to reinvigorate their love affair with the grape.

Spend time at Lynx wine farm – with Dieter Sellmeyer, Lynx proprietor and winemaker, and his assistant Inge Terblanche – learning about the various steps and stages involved in winemaking. End off this experience with a relaxed gourmet picnic lunch on the Lynx lawn*.

Ingredients:

• Morning spent at Lynx estate falling in love with wine.
• An intimate cellar, tasting room and vineyards experience.
• Magical wines accompanied by rolling-views of the Lynx vineyards.
• A gourmet picnic designed by the Le Quartier Français chefs especially for you.

For more information, or to book, call us on (021)876 2151.

*Terms and Conditions apply.

A little over a month ago I went to Paris, for four days, to attend Maison & Objet.

Image courtesy of Al Ianni (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ainet/869942883/)

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Maison & Objet is a large show that takes place twice a year in Paris; seven halls packed full of gifts, furniture, linen, crockery and cutlery (all for the trade). It’s so huge that even the always-chic Parisians pack their walking shoes when attending a Maison & Objet show.

I was amazed by the selection available but I was also a little sad that most of the gift section was produced in the East and available everywhere I visited last year.

That being said there were some smaller stands where the producers had created beautiful limited-edition handmade items. This section fell under the ethnic chic area and included gorgeous felt bags from Germany, stunning twisted-fabric cushions and handbags from Italy and even a South African stand with spectacular individual artists.

Paris, outside of the Maison & Objet show, was on sale. I couldn’t resist some of the fantastic bargains so I bought a few great pieces. Look out for our new spoons, slate plates and more when you next join us for a five or eight course dinner in the Tasting Room.

The launch of the 5-Series Gran Turismo is being held, at the moment, at Le Quartier Français.

The South African journalists attending this launch enjoy a specially designed Tasting Room lunch (even more unique because the Tasting Room is traditionally only open in the evening).

This is a driving event therefore no wine has been paired with lunch. Instead we’ve created lovely non-alcoholic daiquiris which, thanks to their delicious taste and the beautiful warm weather, have been a big hit.

On Wednesday, of this week, we had the unbelievably impressive Martha Stewart pop in to Le Quartier Français for a visit.

Martha Stewart is staying at the beautiful One & Only Cape Town, located in the V&A Waterfront, and she is in South Africa to attend and speak at the 2010 Design Indaba Conference.

At the conference Martha Stewart will be speaking about the creative principles and practical ideas that have made her America’s most trusted guide to stylish living.

After meeting Martha Stewart, and spending some time with her, I can assure you that her talk will be incredibly interesting and dynamic. If you’re attending the conference don’t miss it because you will kick yourself!

It’s nearly the end of February 2010 which means that on Sunday the competition for Food 24’s Sizzling Chef comes to an end.

Presently Annemarie, our Culinary Concierge, is sitting second (or third). This is unfortunately not enough to result in a whole month of teasing (second or third is probably, at best, only worth a week).

Help us get Annemarie into first place so she wins a whole March month worth of kitchen-ribbing and gifts from secret admirers.

To vote for Annemarie click here and follow the instructions.

On February the 27th and 28th, that’s next week Saturday and Sunday, L’Ormarins wine farm will host the FMM (Franschhoek Motor Museum) Concours and Time Trial*.

The FMM Concours and Time Trial is a celebration of classic cars and, throughout the weekend, these vehicles are put through their paces. A special circuit, that includes unique corners and chicanes, has been designed for this event and it definitely sets the scene for an exceptional time trial weekend.

The greatest classic vehicles the world has seen will be showcased on the Saturday and Sunday and Motorsport legends, like Giniel de Villiers and Sarel van der Merwe, will perform dazzling runs around the circuit.

More modern cars, including the gorgeous Ferrari Enzo, will be on display at the Franschhoek Motor Museum.

Tickets are available exclusively through Computicket, or at the Franschhoek Motor Museum until the 25th of February 2010, and they are only available in advance.

*For more information on the event, please visit www.fmm.co.za or call 021 874 9000.

Just a little reminder … if you haven’t yet voted, but you want to, please head on over to the Travel and Leisure website to vote for Le Quartier Français in the Travel and Leisure World’s Best Awards Survery for 2010. Wow now that’s a mouthful.

To those of you that have already voted we extend a very big THANK YOU!

This weekend past we had Dr. Mimi Halper Silbert and her team stay at Le Quartier Français (Dr Silbert is, among other things, a master chef and she came to experience The Tasting Room).

Dr Silbert is phenomenal women who, in 1971 with only a thousand dollar loan, decided she wanted to create a place where substance abusers, former felons, the homeless and others who had hit their rock bottom could – through their own efforts – turn their lives around. It is her belief, and the belief of the Delancey Street Foundation (which she founded), that the people who are the problem can become the solution.

Through Dr Silbert’s Delancey Street Foundation Project thousands of American lives have been forever changed and she is here to advise on setting up a similar programme in South Africa.

It is really so inspiring to meet someone who is making such a life changing and sustainable difference in people’s lives.

Dr Silbert checking on one of the Delancey Street Foundation Projects - a Christmas Tree Market.