The Franschhoek Affair – Bread Making with Tina Jewell

Bread Making with Tina Jewell, at Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant, followed by wine tasting and a light lunch. All for just R770.00 per person!

Space is limited (there is only enough room for 10 people) so you’ll need to book as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.

Date: Saturday, 26 June 2010
Time: 09:30 – 14:30
Location: Môreson Farm
Cost: R770.00 per person

To book call Tina on 021 876 4004.

Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant, Franschhoek Affair, Uncategorized,

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Are the days of hand luggage nearly over?

Thanks to the airlines tough new stance on hand luggage traveling, without having to check luggage in, is becoming increasingly unavoidable.

Image courtesy of Shanghai Daddy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanghaidaddy/4206816335/)

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When you take into account that the weight of most hand luggage (the kind on wheels) is a 1/3 to a 1/2 of your allowance it’s no wonder that so many of us keep overstepping those pesky weight restrictions.

It is incredibly challenging to pack for a trip, especially those to freezing climates, when you’ve got only a few kilogrammes to spare.

I’m a fairly frequent traveler and I don’t get it right most of the time! I was wondering if there were any frequent travelers who manage to get it right all of the time? If so please share a few of your tips.

What are your hand-luggage-only traveling secrets?

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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IS Art Gallery at Le Quartier Français

The IS Art Gallery at Le Quarter Français – opening on the 14^th May 2010 – will host regular exhibitions featuring leading and upcoming South African artists. These regular exhibitions are planned to last for between four and six weeks (per exhibition).

The opening exhibition will showcase paintings by renowned artist Shany van den Berg, sculptures by Rosouw van der Walt, ceramic works by Wiebke von Bismarck and pottery by Sarah Walters.

The IS Art Gallery is open daily, Monday to Sunday, from 10am – 6pm. For more information please email isart@lqf.co.za

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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Touches and Tastes Going Going Gone Sale!

Touches and Tastes – at Le Quartier Français – will be having a clearance sale starting on Friday the 23rd of April 2010 and continuing until Friday the 30th of April 2010. Everything on sale is priced to go so if you’re looking for jewelry, crockery, cutlery, clothing, books or other cool bits and pieces pop in and stock up!

The Touches and Tastes Going Going Gone sale is going to be incredibly busy, items are limited and – as we’ve already mentioned – priced so well they’re going to disappear in a flash. With this in mind we know that people, who want to get their hands of the best merchandise at the lowest prices, might be tempted to camp outside the store … and for the record we are totally OK with this!

In fact we are so OK with this that we will be delivering sticky buns and coffee to all the dedicated sale early birds, outside Touches and Tastes, before the official sale starts. Being up at the crack of dawn has never been so appealing!

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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Le Quartier Français in South America 

Margot, Linda and myself are – as I write this – in South America.

We are here for a whole lot of work related reasons. We’re here to promote Franschhoek and Le Quartier Français as a destination; and we are also here to explore new and unusual tastes and some very interesting restaurants. South America, from a culinary perspective, is doing some extraordinary things. Given that the experience we offer our guests is so heavily rooted in gastronomy we believe it’s vital to constantly explore what other talented chefs, on different continents, are doing. On this trip we will be spending time in São Paolo (Brazil) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stankuns/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

One of the places we’ll be dining at is KINOSHITA; it is considered, by those in the know, to be Brazil’s best Japanese restaurant. From what we’ve heard (which is a lot) KINOSHITA is ultra-modern and an experience in itself. So, as you can imagine, we can’t wait for our taste of KINOSHITA!

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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New Le Quartier Français Culinary Concierge Dates

We’ve released our new Culinary Concierge dates. A number the Culinary Concierge Programmes now take place on Saturdays. Making them more accessible to those that work Monday to Friday.

For more information about the various Culinary Concierge Programmes and their respective dates visit the Le Quartier Français website.

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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Launch of the 2010 Relais & Châteaux Guide

Last week we attended the launch of the 2010 Relais & Châteaux Guide at the always beautiful Cellars-Horenort.

2010 sees an additional 37 hotels (worldwide) added to the prestigious Relais & Châteaux Collection. One of the new inclusions, Karkloof Spa – Wellness & Wildlife Retreat, is located in South Africa. It is the only new addition, for 2010, in South Africa and it is the first Relais & Châteaux in the Pietermaritzburg area.

Both Margot and Linda have spent time at Karkloof and, according to them, it is fantastic. So if you’re planning a trip to KwaZulu-Natal then Karkloof is a definite must see.

Relais & Châteaux, of which Le Quartier Français has been a proud member since 2000, is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries.

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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Lunch in Franschhoek

This time of year, in the Franschhoek Valley, is absolutely beautiful! Long summery days paired with spectacular sunshine make Franschhoek the ideal lunch time spot.

If you’re looking for a wonderful lazy lunch – the kind that start at 12 and end after three then you should definitely book a table at Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant on Môreson Farm. Neil Jewell’s summer 2009/2010 menu is simply inspired. New menu items have been added to the perennial favourites (never fear the risotto is still on offer) creating a tasty experience for both the regulars and the first-timers.

You’ll also have a chance to sample the new Môreson Méthode Cap Classique. The entire range has had it packaging redone and it is looking beautiful. It is absolutely classic and the cap classique in the bottle is just as delicious as always.

To book a table, and we suggest you do book, call Bread & Wine on (021)876 3692

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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Happy New Year

Happy New Year! May your 2010 be absolutely fantastic.

Here’s to 2010 – a year full of great food, wonderful adventures, spectacular company and a few good surprises.

Posted by: Sue Huxter
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Franschhoek Champagne Festival

Just a reminder that the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival is taking place in Franschhoek over this weekend.

If the last two years are anything to go by it’s going to be exceptional! An entire weekend dedicated to the magic of the bubbles – what more could any self-respecting woman (or man with amazing taste) ask for?