Blog - October 2012 part 2
Mes Amis, bonjour,Well, here we are ; middle of October already... and the weather to go with it !
We just finished the service on this Saturday the 13th, a good day; busy enough at lunch time and a full restaurant tonight, the kitchen has done really well and the new recruits in the restaurant are finding their marks. Michael is beginning to relax about December....
In fact this evening was only spoiled by a table of 4 not turning up; it is really frustrating as they called to confirm earlier this evening, we kept the table for them, turned away a few potential clients then no show. I find that really rude and cannot understand this kind of attitude......sad people really!!
Right, now for the good news. After months of trying I have now found the chefs I was looking for for the Bistro in Leith. Welcome on board La Garrigue to Victor! Already the quality of the food with the same menu is incredible and the buzz in the place is palpable. You can feel the passion and see it on the plate! I am really looking forward to the next few months and see how this new team is going to gel and perform ; I am delighted for Morgan who deserves a good team in the kitchen, and has now an opportunity to put the Bistro in the map. The new menu has gone to the printer and should be back for beginning of next week. Cassoulets, bouillabaisses, Lamb Shanks, cheeks of beef, chocolate fondants and soufflés are back on the menu, and we are putting the final touches to the Christmas Day Lunch that will be available by the end of next week. In order to help the team to gel we have decided to open from the Wednesday to the Sunday , giving the staff the same days off every week ,and helping them to develop a stronger team spirit and a better control over the quality of the food and service ...consistency...and harmony.....I can feel a song coming!!
The highlights of the month so far has to be the dinner on the 10th at Jeffrey street , showcasing the wines from the Chateau Cabezac ; the wines were exquisite, the food superb and the support really encouraging; we stopped the bookings at 35 and the feed back has been excellent. It was really nice to see some regular clients and friends of La Garrigue, but also some new customers discovering La Garrigue for the first time. I am already planning the next one for end of November or January...I will let you know.
Gastronomically speaking of course, my dinner last night with my son J- Laurent in one of Edinburgh Michelin stared restaurant was exceptional; Tom and his team will never stop to amaze me, and the restaurant deserves all the recognition and awards the industry has to offer. Well done and thank you guys!
We do expect things to quieten down a bit now before December and the festive season; bookings are good and we are still receiving a few enquiries. Please, if you haven’t booked your office lunch or dinner; don’t leave it too late as we are running out of free dates. Of course, with the bistro in Leith now in full swing and La Garrigue in Jeffrey Street we should be able to accommodate you, but please don’t leave it too late!!
Right this is enough for today, Michael just finished the banking, the outside plants have been moved in, the waiters are having their de-briefing and it is time to go home...
Good night and a bientot,
J-Michel