San Pellegrino Top 50 best restaurants awards 2011, 2010,2009,2008,2007,2006,2005,2002. Best Restaurant in Africa and the Middle East 2009,2008,2007,2005. Relais & Châteaux Grande Chef.
The Cuisine
Surprise: an emotion that occurs when something breaks our habitual pattern.
The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français is South Africa's most lauded fine-dining restaurant. It is the stage to award-winning Relais & Châteaux Grande Chef, Margot Janse, and her unique African Inspired Surprise Tasting Menu.
Here, in this intimate setting, serious diners have the opportunity to experience a true journey of taste. With a menu that continues to evolve and astonish The Tasting Room, and its African Inspired cuisine, creates a dining experience unlike any other. One where surprise and nostalgia take centre stage.
In The Tasting Room every African Inspired dish is exceptional and engaging. Truly refined with a distinct feminine touch and, at the same time, unexpectedly exciting ... exhilarating in fact. It is this contradiction that results in The Tasting Room menu's outstanding balance and ensures that the cuisine is nothing short of a theatrical masterpiece.
In The Tasting Room the journey extends further than just phenomenal cuisine; it moves fearlessly into the captivating realm of stories and magic. A place where each plate, and its African inspired elements, have the ability to captivate the hearts and minds of diners.
The Décor
The décor was designed to function as a platform for - Relais & Châteaux Grande Chef - Margot Janse's acclaimed cuisine. Conceptualised and realised by Herbert Janse, well-known Dutch set designer (and Margot's brother), the stage aims to amplify the essence of what makes Margot's food so exceptional. As Herbert Janse so eloquently stated, "every dish of Margot's is truly refined and, at the same time, unexpectedly exciting". It is this contradiction that results in the menu's outstanding balance; and it is this contradiction that is so thoughtfully magnified by the design.
Art – from the owner's private collection - by revered South African artist, Maud Sumner, is on display. Each piece is exquisite and was hand-selected to play a specific role in The Tasting Room, adding unforgettable depth to the atmosphere.
The Chef
In 1995 Margot joined the culinary team at Le Quartier Français. The hotel restaurant was already considered one of South Africa's best, so it was an enormous challenge for Margot when she was asked to take over as Executive Chef shortly after her arrival.
However, sixteen years and many national and international awards later, Margot continues to thrive in the career of her choice and enthrall serious diners from around the globe.
Margot travels extensively to continually be inspired by new ideas and stay abreast of emerging trends. Her stimulating African Inspired Surprise Tasting Menu changes regularly based on the seasonal fresh produce which she sources from Le Quartier's own indigenous garden and small local producers.
The result is a kitchen buzzing with on-going innovative and creative energy and Margot and her talented team serve course after course of exquisite culinary delights from this truly fine dining restaurant.
"The Tasting Room is open seven days a week for dinner only. 19h00 till late.
FROM FEBRUARY 2012 THE TASTING ROOM WILL BE OPEN TUESDAY TO SATURDAY EVENINGS ONLY
P.S Please allow 3½ hours for this menu
We do not have a dress code
We are a mobile free zone
We have kicked the habit – we are now totally non-smoking inside and outside,
but have a dedicated smoking section on our front terrace
To make a reservation for dinner please call (021) 876 8442.
Have you booked your room yet ? Check availibility here! or for our new baby sister hotel - delicious!