Fine French dining with bargain to boot
THE WORD “bistro” conjures up Parisian sidewalk scenes of lowslung rattan chairs, intimate tables, quaint chalkboard menus and simple (by French cuisine standards, at any rate), familiar fare.
It’s this very essence of his homeland that chef and restaurateur, Michel Morand, has always aimed to invoke – first in his capacity as manager-turned-part owner of the acclaimed Gatrile’s in the early 1990s, then as the man behind the equally renowned and popular who’s who spot, Auberge Michel (where former Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, infamously once ran up a bill nearing R100 000).
Having once again taken the reins of restaurateuring when he opened up Bistro Michel in 2015, this year marks a quartercentury since the Burgundy-born Morand settled in South Africa.
Members of the media were invited to celebrate this milestone, with an afternoon spent sampling the wares (and fine wine!) of Cherry and almond tart with ice-cream. this eatery’s new summer menu.
From a guilt-free scrumptious selection of salads including your traditional crispgreen-apple and walnut Waldorf, the favoured Cobb consisting of diced chicken, bacon, avocado and blue cheese crumble, to the duck noodle and Pépé charlot salads for the more adventurous, your taste buds are sure to be tantalised.
If all of that sounds far too “Sandton kugel stay-at-home-wife” for your particular preference, fear thee not:
The succulent beef fillet au poivre (wrapped in black pepper and coached in a decadent cognac reduction) is guaranteed to have you smacking your lips in sheer delight, as too is the butterflied roast baby chicken served with a secret “devil sauce”.
While some of the classic Gallic food on offer may require more of a refined palate (raw meat á la steak tartare, or sautéed lamb kidneys, anyone?), a plentiful variety of delectable vegetarian, seafood and other meat-based dishes is certain to entice any appetite, along with a specialised gourmet burger menu for those who are so inclined. Which, for the record and much to my tummy’s delight, I was!
And that’s not even to speak of the sublime “sweet tooth” offerings! Particularly when you don’t have to restrict yourself to just one, as was the case for us fortunate media folk. One can never go wrong with the prototypical crème brûlée, but if it’s a standout dessert option you’re after, the orange parfait with crumbed butter biscuit and chocolate sauce, or the cherry and almond tart with a generous dollop of Snickers ice-cream is as close to heaven-onearth as you’re likely to come!
Couch all that deliciousness in the chic surrounds of overstuffed leather banquettes, brass finishes, low-level designer lighting and (for the daytime hours), an elegant wooden deck that provides the perfect setting for that perfunctory business lunch or light bite with the girls – et voilá!
If that alone isn’t sufficient to pique your interest, Michel’s generous 25th anniversary offer to patrons certainly will:
From Monday to Sunday, November 6 all starter dishes will cost the grand total of (drumroll, please) R1. Yes, you read right. Only R1 per starter per person during the promotional period, provided diners order a main course as well. Best you book now. Vive la France!
Bistro Michel: Blubird Shopping Centre, cnr Atholl-Oaklands Road and Fort Street, Birnam. Tel: 011 440 0769.