G E TA W AY
Winter in the Winelands
E
njoy this uniquely magical time of year in the heart of Franschhoek and the lap of luxury at Le Quartier Français.
A Leeu Collection property and an icon in the village, the cosy boutique hotel offers five-star accommodation, as well as two award-winning fine dining restaurants, a wine boutique, and an art gallery. You’ll barely want to leave the hotel, but if you do, you’ll be treated to crisp, clear days; the occasional snowy mountain peak; and more world-class food, wine, art, and shopping on the culinary capital’s bustling Huguenot Street. The unrivalled experience will begin upon arrival when you will be invited to sink into a deep armchair beside a log fire and sip on a glass of belly-warming port as the equally warm team welcomes you to your home-awayfrom-home. From there, you will be led to your sumptuous suite, with its individual styling and luxury fittings and finishes throughout. Another crackling fire will await here, along with a bottle of flagship wine, delicious snacks, and a complimentary minibar to tide you over to dinner. And what a dinner it will be! Two exquisite dining options are available, both from the renowned La Colombe group. Protégé offers a casual fine dining experience comprising a chef’s menu of four small plates followed by a choice of a main course and an optional dessert. Their breakfasts are also a memorable part of the Le Quartier Français experience – enjoyed outdoors (weather-permitting) on your private courtyard, or inside the stylish restaurant. In the likely event that you prefer to spend a winter’s morning ensconced in your luxurious linen, simply order a freshly baked croissant and a flat white to enjoy a truly French room service experience. Another spectacular restaurant on the property is Épice, where diners are transported on a culinary odyssey around the world. The celebrated Spice Journey, skillfully prepared and ingenious in form, is an exotic,
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flavourful adventure through 10 to 12 courses – an unforgettable experience for avid foodies! The bread course alone is legendary, and the masterful sommelier will expertly pair each dish to a fine local wine. And your wine experience won’t end there! The intimate Great Heart Wines Studio awaits guests wanting to enjoy a complimentary private tasting for two. Through Leeu Collection’s partnership with Mullineaux Wines in the Swartland, Great Heart is a staff empowerment project that was conceived during lockdown and has produced four excellent wines – two whites and two reds. Begin with a glass of Chenin Blanc, and warm up with either the Red Blend or the Cabernet Sauvignon. Unusually, the
