Tag Archives: Leeu House

Franschhoek Restaurants during Lockdown: which are open, closed, and opening soon!

 

Last week I spent two days in Franschhoek for a catch-up visit, after not having been to this lovely village known for its eateries and good wines in eight months. From having heard that the village was so quiet, and that many restaurants had closed down, I was pleasantly surprised to find the village bursting with excitement about new restaurants about to open in October, and later this year. I could not resist eating at Orangerie at Le Lude, what to me is one of Franschhoek’s best restaurants. Continue reading →

Franschhoek is alive and well, exciting new restaurant plans announced by Chef Darren Badenhorst!

 

While some restaurants have closed down or remain closed until October, there are exciting plans for new restaurant openings and take-overs I learnt in Franschhoek yesterday.  While the La Colombe Group has a strong presence in the village with three restaurants, it is about to be overtaken by Chef Darren Badenhorst, who will own four restaurants by the end of this year, and will be running two further ones too! Continue reading →

Corona Virus: Lockdown Journey Journal, Day 3 of Level 1, 23 September 2020.

 

Wednesday 23 September, Day 3 of Level 1, Day 181 of Lockdown 😷

Corona Gratitude 🙏

#Grateful for a hot summer day, at 26C, loving the sun, even braving getting into the pool at Maison Montagne this afternoon; for a special sunrise at 6h00 this morning; lovely breakfast served out on the terrace; for a busy day, checking out all the changes on the main road of Franschhoek, especially the restaurants; for a meeting with Chefs Darren Badenhorst and Ryan Shell to hear about their new restaurant projects in Franschhoek, very exciting news; for being spared buying a dress when I was very willing and keen, but not finding the perfect one 😱; for a fantastic lunch at Orangerie at Le Lude, the most professional dining venue which I have experienced in Franschhoek, fully booked today with the gorgeous weather, most customers sitting outside; for being able to congratulate Orangerie Chef Nicolene Barrow on her engagement, and to present her with a bottle of ADHARA extra virgin olive oil, given the calibre of her restaurant and cooking; for the Masquerade owner Martie helping me with little gift bags for the purchase of 💙 soaps from her shop; for bumping into Vanie Padayachee and Eleanor Kerwan, hearing their news; for a lovely snack cheese and wine dinner with Llewellyn on the terrace, tasting two lovely Dieu Donne wines, a Henriette Viognier and a Rosé, the former having a lovely Heritage story in honour of Dieu Donné owner Robert Maingard’s late mother; for winning 350 Miles in two Discovery Gameboard plays; and for being happy and healthy. 🙏💙 Continue reading →