658079 Thu Oct 08 13:24:38 -0700 2009 10 51 Africa 0 5089092 We will be in Franschhoek for my boyfriend's birthday. Any recommendations where to celebrate? He loves vegetables and cheese, but is not a vegetarian. Thu Oct 08 13:24:38 -0700 2009 135131 fooodie 1 5090249 I guess THE place for a celebration is The Tasting Room. but if that is not to your taste, there are lots of other good restaurants such as Reubens, Mon Plaisir, Mange Tout, Bon Vivant, Bouillabaise etc. Here is a list! 1 Bread and Wine Happy Valley Road , Franschhoek Food type: Bistro, Deli Ambience: Comfy & Casual Good but better for lunch 3 Col'Cacchio (Franschhoek) 66 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek Food type: Light meals, Pizzas,Italian Ambience: Comfy & Casual, Contemporary Cool - Just if yopu want a pizza! 5 Genot Restaurant Franschoek, Klein Genot Wine & Country Estate, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary,South African Ambience: Classic Elegance, Contemporary Cool 6 ICI at Le Quartier Français 16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary, French Ambience: Comfy & Casual 8 Le Verger at Le Franschhoek Hotel 16 Minor Road, Franschhoek Food type: Buffet, Deli, Pizzas, Seafood, Grills, Asian,South African Ambience: Contemporary Cool, Family Friendly 9 Mange Tout Restaurant (Mont Rochelle Hotel) Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary, International Ambience: Classic Elegance 10 Reuben's Restaurant & Bar 19 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary Ambience: Comfy & Casual 21 Klein Oliphant's Hoek 14 Akademie Street, Franschhoek Food type: Seafood Ambience: Classic Elegance 22 La Brasserie (ex La Fromagerie) 13 Daniel Hugo Street, Franschhoek Food type: Bistro, Light meals, French Ambience: Classic Elegance 23 La Petite Ferme Franschhoek Pass Road, Franschhoek Food type: Fusion, African, Asian Ambience: Comfy & Casual - better for lunch 24 Le Bon Vivant 22 Dirkie Uys Street, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary, Fusion, International Ambience: Classic Elegance 26 Mon Plaisir @ Chamonix Chamonix Farm, Uitkyk street, Franschhoek Food type: Bistro, French Ambience: Authentic Culture, Comfy & Casual 27 Monneaux Restaurant Main Road, Franschhoek Food type: Fusion, Asian, French Ambience: Classic Elegance, Comfy & Casual 28 Relais Gourmand Le franschhoek Hotel & Spa 16 Minor Road Franschhoek, Franschhoek Food type: Seafood, Fusion, International, Asian Ambience: Classic Elegance 29 Salmon Bar at The Yard 38 Huguenot road, Franschhoek Food type: Deli, Continental, Mediterranean Ambience: Classic Elegance, Contemporary Cool 32 The French Connection Bistro Cnr Huguenot and Bordeaux streets, Franschhoek Food type: Bistro, French Ambience: Comfy & Casual 33 Topsi & Co 7 Reservoir Street West, Franschhoek Food type: South African Ambience: Authentic Culture 12 Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français 16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary Ambience: Classic Elegance 13 The Elephant and Barrel 48 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek Food type: Pub fare, The Americas Ambience: Comfy & Casual - a good pub! 14 The Restaurant at Grande Provence Main Road, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary, French,South African Ambience: Classic Elegance 16 Bouillabaisse (Franschhoek) 38 Hugenot Street, Franschhoek Food type: Seafood Ambience: Contemporary Cool 17 Dieu Donné Dieu Donné Vineyards, Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek, Franschhoek Food type: Tapas, Fusion, Mediterranean, Asian,South African Ambience: Classic Elegance, Contemporary Cool Haute Cabriere Pass Road, Franschhoek Food type: Contemporary, Fusion Ambience: Classic Elegance Thu Oct 08 22:45:21 -0700 2009 5089092 290643 macsym 2 5101403 Wow Macsym, that is quite a list. Thanks! Now I just have to sort through it. Do any of these places require a jacket? That would definitely not be our style. We will be on a chocolate, cheese and wine tour during the day, would it be too much to end with the Tasting Room? I'm also thinking of having a late lunch at Le Petite Ferme the following day. Any recommendation for a light dinner that night? Thanks. Tue Oct 13 20:27:51 -0700 2009 5090249 135131 fooodie 3 5101683 Nowhere requires a jacket but I guess The Tasting Room, Mange Tout and Grande Provence are the most dressy of all the places, but even here, particularly if it is a warm evening, just slacks and a shirt would be fine., but not shorts and trainers! I dont think it would be too much to do The Tasting Room after your c c and wine tour. If you can get a table, dont mind the price then you have the opportunity to eat at what some consider to be Africa's top restaurant. The food is reasonably experimental and it is not to everyones taste but it is an experience. I enjoyed my meal there over a year ago. Le Bon Vivant is very good and so to can be Reubens but it has had some mixed reviews. La Petite Ferme offers wonderful views and 'uncomplicated' food - IMO The trout is the best bet here. For the evening the pub The Elephant and Barrel will offer a nice contrast and good pub grub. If you fancy a pizza then try Col'Cacchio. Have fun and enjoy! Wed Oct 14 00:29:24 -0700 2009 5101403 290643 macsym 4 5102499 Thanks again! How do Bon Vivant and the Tasting Room compare? Would you recommend another place for lunch over Le Petite Ferme? Wed Oct 14 09:54:06 -0700 2009 5101683 135131 fooodie 5 5104510 Have you looked at reviews for both places on www.eatout.co.za it might give you some idea I have only ever seen enthusiastic reviews for Le Bon Vivant. Dont think you would be disappointed here. For lunch Mon Plaisir is good if you like 'real' French food. Bread and Wine is also a great spot (but it is out of town a bit) and if you like fish then I suggest The Salmon Bar or Bouillabaise. Lots of people like LPF and the views are wonderful its just that last time I went i found it a little indifferent and very busy with groups. I felt it had become a victim of its own success. Trouble is there are too many choices and now there are even excellent restaurants in and around Stellenbosch! Thu Oct 15 02:46:44 -0700 2009 5102499 290643 macsym 6 5129836 That was a great list, thank you. I am planning for a Winelands trip and will spend 2 days in Franschhoek and 1 day in Stellenbosch. For Franschhoek I was going to do lunch at Bread and Wine and Reubens and dinner at Tasting Room and either Grand Provence or Bosmans in Paarl. Any criticisms or other recommendations? I have been reading great things about LPF and Dieu Donne for lunch and tons of others for dinner so now I don't know. Any input would be helpful. Also, for Stellenbosch I was going to do Rust en Vrede for dinner and haven't decided on a lunch place. Any thoughts about either? Thanks for any help and input. Sun Oct 25 14:49:19 -0700 2009 5104510 179620 mpierce64 7 5154259 Sorry I have been away in Japan (enjoying great food! - but very expensive compared to S Africa). Your plan sounds fine I would pick Grand Provence over Bosmans - although I have not eaten at the former I have read several very good reports. Bosmans currently is an unknown as the long serving chef died earlier in the year and I just dont know what is happening there at the moment. Personally I dont think LPF is as good as it used to be but it does have wonderful views - as of course does Dieu Donne - but I would rather eat next door at Mon Plaisir (at Chamonix) - it is very (and genuinely) French if you like that sort of thing. Rust en Vrede is a must - I think it is the best dining experience in the whole area - a very special place. For lunch try Overture, Guardian Peak, Terroir or Bodega. Or if you are in the centre of Stellenbosh I recommend Cafe Dijon an authentic French brasserie style place with good food and service. Wed Nov 04 02:41:00 -0800 2009 5129836 290643 macsym 8 5156805 great, thanks for the help. Wed Nov 04 18:06:07 -0800 2009 5154259 179620 mpierce64 1 5169683 Tasting room was perfect for the birthday dinner! Also had great meals at Bon Vivant, Le Petite Ferme and Vrerde en Lust. Only wish we had more time to enjoy other restaurants! Tue Nov 10 07:02:16 -0800 2009 5089092 135131 fooodie 2 5174754 Glad you enjoyed it/them. You will just have to return to sample the others! Wed Nov 11 21:38:21 -0800 2009 5169683 290643 macsym