Bonjour mes Amis,
I am a happy man tonight as I have just about caught up with my workload following a wee break in France. I only have to finalise the Vegetarian menu for the evening of the 23rd of July, fine tune a marketing add for the Festival magazine, answer to a few reviews on Trip Advisor, decide what to do for the 14th of July then I can concentrate on Christmas menus.....
That trip in France was a kind of Bus-man’s holiday; in fact it was the first of a series of Food and Wine weeks for some (very) privileged friends-customers of La Garrigue. It is something I started last year and it proved to be so successful that I am now doing them on a more regular basis. This time around the weather was really nice with a couple of days actually a bit too hot for my liking. We visited some really nice vineyards and meet some amazing people, wine producers and chefs. We were also invited for lunches and dinners at some of the Domaines and that does make the experience a little bit more special as it is an opportunity to share the passion and the wine with the wine maker and to get really close to the terroir. It is also an opportunity to catch up with some old friends who have supplied La Garrigue over the years. I am already working at the schedule for the September trip, from the 14th to the 21st. This is possibly the most exciting as it coincides with “Les Vendanges! This is when the hard work of harvesting and pressing is done and there is a great buzz in the vineyards. Last year we actually harvested some of the Pinot Noir at Domaine de Clovallon and this year we tasted “our” wine! I hope we will be able to do this again this year. I still have a couple of spaces so why not take a week off and join us for a week of wine tasting and fine food.
There is, however, before all that fun, the small issue of the Festival and only 4 weeks before the busiest period of the year for us. I can already feel the nervousness and anticipation, the worries and at the same time the excitement that the Festival bring to the city ; I think we are ready in terms of staffing and equipment, menus etc but after twelve Festival under the belt I know that it does not matter how ready you are; it is like knowing the tornado is on his way and you are going to get hit...so the September trip already looks like a very good idea indeed!!
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who posted reviews on Trip Advisor and contributed to our increased rating; now 23rd! Our target was to make it to the top 50! I am sorry I have not yet replied to everyone but I promise to do so very soon.
Last but not least I am pleased to announce that this month winner of a dinner for 2 at La Garrigue is Linda Milton who recently visited La Garrigue and registered as a friend. Well done and thank you Linda; you will receive your voucher soon.
Before going I have to also say thanks to Morgan and also Marc our new chef for looking after La Garrigue while I was away touring.....all that training is beginning to pay dividends!!! Just kidding guys but well done and thank you!
I can hear the rumble of tables and chairs upstairs, maybe it is time for me to go and do some real work.
Remember the 23rd of July for the vegetarian evening; it will bring back some fond memories of L’Artichaut....
A bientot,
J-Michel and the team.
I am a happy man tonight as I have just about caught up with my workload following a wee break in France. I only have to finalise the Vegetarian menu for the evening of the 23rd of July, fine tune a marketing add for the Festival magazine, answer to a few reviews on Trip Advisor, decide what to do for the 14th of July then I can concentrate on Christmas menus.....
That trip in France was a kind of Bus-man’s holiday; in fact it was the first of a series of Food and Wine weeks for some (very) privileged friends-customers of La Garrigue. It is something I started last year and it proved to be so successful that I am now doing them on a more regular basis. This time around the weather was really nice with a couple of days actually a bit too hot for my liking. We visited some really nice vineyards and meet some amazing people, wine producers and chefs. We were also invited for lunches and dinners at some of the Domaines and that does make the experience a little bit more special as it is an opportunity to share the passion and the wine with the wine maker and to get really close to the terroir. It is also an opportunity to catch up with some old friends who have supplied La Garrigue over the years. I am already working at the schedule for the September trip, from the 14th to the 21st. This is possibly the most exciting as it coincides with “Les Vendanges! This is when the hard work of harvesting and pressing is done and there is a great buzz in the vineyards. Last year we actually harvested some of the Pinot Noir at Domaine de Clovallon and this year we tasted “our” wine! I hope we will be able to do this again this year. I still have a couple of spaces so why not take a week off and join us for a week of wine tasting and fine food.
There is, however, before all that fun, the small issue of the Festival and only 4 weeks before the busiest period of the year for us. I can already feel the nervousness and anticipation, the worries and at the same time the excitement that the Festival bring to the city ; I think we are ready in terms of staffing and equipment, menus etc but after twelve Festival under the belt I know that it does not matter how ready you are; it is like knowing the tornado is on his way and you are going to get hit...so the September trip already looks like a very good idea indeed!!
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who posted reviews on Trip Advisor and contributed to our increased rating; now 23rd! Our target was to make it to the top 50! I am sorry I have not yet replied to everyone but I promise to do so very soon.
Last but not least I am pleased to announce that this month winner of a dinner for 2 at La Garrigue is Linda Milton who recently visited La Garrigue and registered as a friend. Well done and thank you Linda; you will receive your voucher soon.
Before going I have to also say thanks to Morgan and also Marc our new chef for looking after La Garrigue while I was away touring.....all that training is beginning to pay dividends!!! Just kidding guys but well done and thank you!
I can hear the rumble of tables and chairs upstairs, maybe it is time for me to go and do some real work.
Remember the 23rd of July for the vegetarian evening; it will bring back some fond memories of L’Artichaut....
A bientot,
J-Michel and the team.