Le Quartier Francais — Hotel in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

An African Inspired Surprise Tasting Menu

What a wonderful day, that was part of a fantastic week in the Western Cape of South Africa. I had spent this entire day on a wine tour with Stephen Flesch of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa, and after some fantastic tastings, and a nice lunch, we were in the Franschhoek Wine Valley. The sights from atop the mountains looking down into the valley, and the Huguenot memorial were just fantastic. But dinner was now my main focus for concentration. I had reservations at the Le Quartier Français (the French Quarter) which is a small, privately owned auberge (Inn) that had a restaurant everyone was talking about. Rated #53 in the top 100 restaurants in the world by San Pellegrino for 2013, I knew that The Tasting Room would be right up my alley. The day before I had eaten at another top 100 in Cape Town, so I can yes, I was spoiling myself.

The wine tasting of Stellenbosch was complete. I was so impressed with Stephen Flesch and his company Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa that I decided to ask him to join me for this dinner meal, which would be an eight course meal, surprise tasting menu of South African inspired cuisine, with a ladies touch. Steve and I started in the Lounge Bar, as I enjoyed a cocktail starter with Primitiv Cederberg, South African vodka, and then was called into the main dining room of The Tasting Room, by last name and business title, which I thought was a very nice touch. As you enter the dining room, dangling from the ceiling are hundreds of white globes, with a service station to the left, then the main dining room to the right and straight ahead. To the right were the windows and a door leading to the patio area. The ceiling was low, about nine feet high, and the tables were a light brown oak, a very modern look. To read the entire review in full visit the Wine, Dine, and Play blog, and search under blog archive for January 2014 for The Tasting Room at Le...

We recently returned from our tenth stay at LQF, which remains our favourite hotel anywhere in the world. As returning guests, we were made to feel especially welcome. Earlier this year we visited France for our annual holiday, visiting Paris and St.Emilion. Nothing we experienced compared to what LQF has to offer. On our recent visit to Franschhoek, we stayed in one of the Four Quarters suites ( number 3 ). Our suite was extremely spacious and airy, tastefully decorated, quiet, and luxuriously comfortable. For a special occasion, I would highly recommend it as it is several notches above your average hotel accommodation. We were celebrating my wife's birthday, which the hotel was informed of prior to our arrival. My wife felt spoiled throughout her stay, and made to feel very special by all staff members we came into contact with, who had all been briefed that we were celebrating a very special occasion. The gardens of the hotel are immaculate and luxuriant, contributing to the overall atmosphere of peace and tranquility. In addition, it has two fine-dining restaurants on-site, Epice and Protege. Earlier this year we dined at Protege, which comfortably outperformed a Michelin 2 star dinner we had in St Emilion in April, but at considerably less cost. As very experienced global travellers, who have been lucky enough to stay at some of the finest establishments the hospitality industry has to offer, LQF remains our global winner. The level of friendliness and helpfulness of every staff member is unique, making you feel truly welcome. Given its convenient situation in the middle of the charming town of Franschhoek, look no further when choosing accommodation in the area. Could not recommend...

To my dismay I posted a “one” star rating for the LeQuartier Restaurant and my review immediately disappeared. Why? Let’s try again. I booked several days in advance from our hotel the Vineyard for reservations at the LeQuartier Francais Restaurant with the hotel’s receptionist, Justin. Several years previously, we had enjoyed a delightful lunch there and we wanted to celebrate my Boxing Day birthday there. When we arrived from our long drive we were told by the restaurant Manager that our reservation was made with the “Asian” restaurant (where the hotel serves breakfast). The Asian restaurant was totally/completely empty. When we explained that we definitely made reservations with the LeQuartier restaurant; that it was my birthday; we have driven from Cape Town; and the mistake was with LeQuartier. The manager laughed when he heard our explanation, unprofessionally patted my husband on the back and arrogantly said there was “no room.” Too bad!!! In other words, they wanted to fill the empty “Asian” restaurant. The restaurant manager, was not only unaccommodating knowing that the fault was with LeQuartier. What was even more difficult , he was ungracious and glib about our situation! If I could I would give LeQuartier “NO” stars. We went to the nearby Reuben restaurant as most restaurants were closed for Boxing Day… LeQuartier’s offhanded and bad attitude… don’t waste your time...