I just realised that for next years festival I will be 60 and a grandfather! Yes I know it’s hard to believe, but I must admit my legs are happy that things are getting a bit easier this week. Between my foraging escapades and our staircase to the kitchen they have had a tough time over the last few weeks.
I don’t know what September is going to bring but the last two months have been the best ever for La Garrigue. July of course was strong because of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and August saw lots of visitors with the Festival and the Fringe. I do not remember Edinburgh ever so busy with people; Sir Jonathan Mills is going to be a difficult act to follow in terms of the festival popularity and visitors attendance. I hope the Ryder Cup is also going to have a positive effect in September so the summer will certainly be one to remember!
I am surprised and delighted with the performance of the team during this busy period as, considering the amount of covers served, we only had a couple of negative comments. One from a frustrated Prima-Dona artist and one about a table location....so “Chapeau” to you all and thank you!
Without any arrogance what so ever, it does not come as a surprise, that following all this hard work, La Garrigue has been nominated for an Award at the Food Award Scotland dinner next Monday in Glasgow and this morning I received confirmation of La Garrigue being listed in the 2015 Good Food Guide. We also maintain a very good position on Trip Advisor, but do please keep those happy reviews coming. Can you see what I spend a lot of my time doing?!!
I am delighted to inform you that our Festive menus throughout December are now available and that we have started to take bookings already. I am not sure yet if we are going to open for Christmas Day this year but I promise you that I will make the decision soon as we have a few enquiries because I need to let the staff know as some of them would like to have a family Christmas for a change....and maybe so do I.
In the meantime we are going to review our menus as unfortunately Autumn is just round the corner and our summer menu is soon going to be outdated. I need to get that done before the end of the week as I will be going to France soon for our last wine trip this year!
I love this time of the year in Languedoc as the vineyards are busy and there is a real excitement about the new wines as “Les Vendanges” are in full swing. I have a few surprises ready for my guests this time around and I hope the weather is going to be kind to us. I will give you a full report in the next journal.
Of course when we come back from our Languedoc gastronomique tour Scotland will have changed in our absence whatever the result of the referendum. I hope to come back to a United Scotland, ready to face the challenges ahead. In my privileged position of Restaurateur I have met, fed and befriended people from all parties and I am looking forward to carrying on doing so for quite a few years still. I am a committed European and believe that we will be ”stronger together”.....with the Greeks, Italians, Spanish, Germans, French....and the rest! Eventually!!
I hope you all had a good summer, a pleasant holiday and I am looking forward to seeing you again soon.
A bientot,
J-Michel
I don’t know what September is going to bring but the last two months have been the best ever for La Garrigue. July of course was strong because of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and August saw lots of visitors with the Festival and the Fringe. I do not remember Edinburgh ever so busy with people; Sir Jonathan Mills is going to be a difficult act to follow in terms of the festival popularity and visitors attendance. I hope the Ryder Cup is also going to have a positive effect in September so the summer will certainly be one to remember!
I am surprised and delighted with the performance of the team during this busy period as, considering the amount of covers served, we only had a couple of negative comments. One from a frustrated Prima-Dona artist and one about a table location....so “Chapeau” to you all and thank you!
Without any arrogance what so ever, it does not come as a surprise, that following all this hard work, La Garrigue has been nominated for an Award at the Food Award Scotland dinner next Monday in Glasgow and this morning I received confirmation of La Garrigue being listed in the 2015 Good Food Guide. We also maintain a very good position on Trip Advisor, but do please keep those happy reviews coming. Can you see what I spend a lot of my time doing?!!
I am delighted to inform you that our Festive menus throughout December are now available and that we have started to take bookings already. I am not sure yet if we are going to open for Christmas Day this year but I promise you that I will make the decision soon as we have a few enquiries because I need to let the staff know as some of them would like to have a family Christmas for a change....and maybe so do I.
In the meantime we are going to review our menus as unfortunately Autumn is just round the corner and our summer menu is soon going to be outdated. I need to get that done before the end of the week as I will be going to France soon for our last wine trip this year!
I love this time of the year in Languedoc as the vineyards are busy and there is a real excitement about the new wines as “Les Vendanges” are in full swing. I have a few surprises ready for my guests this time around and I hope the weather is going to be kind to us. I will give you a full report in the next journal.
Of course when we come back from our Languedoc gastronomique tour Scotland will have changed in our absence whatever the result of the referendum. I hope to come back to a United Scotland, ready to face the challenges ahead. In my privileged position of Restaurateur I have met, fed and befriended people from all parties and I am looking forward to carrying on doing so for quite a few years still. I am a committed European and believe that we will be ”stronger together”.....with the Greeks, Italians, Spanish, Germans, French....and the rest! Eventually!!
I hope you all had a good summer, a pleasant holiday and I am looking forward to seeing you again soon.
A bientot,
J-Michel