{"id":12653,"date":"2010-09-28T09:57:41","date_gmt":"2010-09-28T07:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=12653"},"modified":"2011-02-16T09:35:24","modified_gmt":"2011-02-16T07:35:24","slug":"restaurant-news-le-quartier-francais-closes-ici-opens-the-common-room","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/franschhoek\/restaurant-news-le-quartier-francais-closes-ici-opens-the-common-room\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant News: Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais closes iCi, opens The Common Room"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais has closed its Bistro iCi, which it opened six years ago, and has turned the informal dining room into a new one, called The Common Room, opening four days ago.\u00a0 The new no-reservations restaurant is a relaxed and informal one, and will serve tapas-style food, described as “food to share”.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The Common Room, the latest addition to the exceptional Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais culinary experience, offers diners a menu packed full of lip smacking delights designed by Margot Janse to serve as snacks or the building blocks of a more substantial meal. Margot, in creating this new experience says “Food is constantly evolving and changing and people enjoy food at different times.\u00a0 We have created a menu that will encourage people to chill out, taste, share and enjoy good times in great company. Being aware that not every meal has to be a “huge spend” we have kept the prices small and the idea is to share with friends” Fish pops with chakalaka ketchup, bone marrow with salsa verde crust, chocolate and milk ice cream sandwich, are just a few of the WOW-bites on offer”, says the announcement on the Franschhoek Wine Valley and Tourism Association website. <\/span><\/p>\n

The menu follows below:<\/span><\/p>\n

cup a\u00a0 soup\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

avocado \/ grapefruit \/ salted macadamia salad\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

little caesar\u00a0 <\/span>25<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

risotto \/ wild mushrooms \/ buffalo labne\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>45<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

grilled vegetables \/ aioli\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>25<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

chickpeas \/ chorizo \/ mint\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

fried parmesan gnocchi \/ spiced brinjal \/ swiss chard\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

chilli mieliemeal & chevre puffs <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

free range beef tartar\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>35<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

flat koek \/ lamb frikadelletjies \/ raita\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>40<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

springbok bitterballen \/ apple mustard\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

neil’s saucisson sec \/ pickles \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>35<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

duck rillette \/ crostini \/ butternut marmalade <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>35<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

chicken liver parfait \/ salted plum \/ corn bread\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

artichoke flan \/ broad beans \/ bacon \/ broccoli \/<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

pine nut crumble\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>35 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

big bay oysters \/ each\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>15<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

prawn toast\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

grilled squid \/ preserved lime \/ smoked paprika \/ coriander\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

fish pops \/ chakalaka ketchup\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>40<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

mini salmon cakes \/ rough tartar sauce\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>40<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

saldanha bay mussels \/ mcc \/ five herbs\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>40<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

from the wood oven<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

warm roasted olives\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>25<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

roasted sweetcorn \u00a0<\/span>\/ smoked butter\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

little pan pizza \/ home made cheese \/ smoked tomato \/ <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

basil \u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

dalewood camembert \/ soldiers <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

butter roasted mozambican prawns \/ common sprinkle\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>55<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

crispy smoked pork riblets\u00a0 <\/span>\/ garlic\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>55<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

chicken or beef?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

whole wood roasted free range chicken \/ gravy\u00a0 <\/span>135<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

four hundred grams \u00a0<\/span>free range botswana beef fillet \/ buchu b\u00c3\u00a9arnaise\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>155<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

spuds<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

dauphinoise <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>25<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

hand cut chips\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

roast potatoes\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

smoked mash\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>25<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

lipsmackers\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

chocolate and milk ice cream sandwich\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>35<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

fried custard \/ vanilla ice cream \/ salted caramel\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

self saucing white chocolate and granadilla pudding\u00a0 <\/span>35<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[20 minutes]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

sticky bun ice cream \/ sugared almonds\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

trifle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

sweety jars<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

marshmallow\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>20<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

nougat\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

brownies\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>30\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Occupying the space previously used by iCi, Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais’s, bistro-style restaurant, The Common Room is poised to become Franschhoek’s favourite foodie hangout; the perfect place to relax and linger with friends over a tasty dish or two, the local grazing ground.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Here guests can meet up for drinks and snacks or pop in, sans reservation, for a scrumptious breakfast, lunch or dinner. \u00a0In a truly delightful twist The Common Room has a strict no-reservations policy. This ensures that it is refreshingly first-come first-serve in its attitude towards guests and great cocktails can be enjoyed while waiting for a table”.\u00a0\u00a0 A stated rule on the menu is “No reservations, no whining, no swearing”, and the pay-off line for the restaurant is “Local grazing ground”.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The decor is plush without being overwhelming, and in true Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais style it is supremely comfortable.\u00a0 The Common Room themed elements add depth and humour to the experience.\u00a0 <\/span>The Common Room combines the best ingredients, in both its menu and d\u00e9cor, to create another mouthwatering dining experience at Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais.”\u00a0 The decor has been changed, and consists of owner Susan Huxter’s favourite\u00a0colours, being turquoise, orange and pink.<\/span><\/p>\n

NOTE<\/strong>: I will not be able to write a review about The Common Room myself, as I have been barred by the owner of Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais, Susan Huxter, from all her and related businesses, on the grounds of a harmless remark of feedback made about the declining value for money of the\u00a0iCi Bistro to one of her staff three years ago.\u00a0 She admitted in her letter that she was unable to meet my high service standards, and therefore thought it better to ban me from eating and shopping, and from seeing movies, there!\u00a0 She has employed a bouncer to make sure that I and others on her banned list do not enter her establishment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Common Room<\/strong>,\u00a0Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais.\u00a0Huguenot Road, Franschhoek.\u00a0 tel (021) 876-2151.\u00a0 www.lqf.co.za<\/a>\u00a0(The Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais website\u00a0surprisingly does not contain any details of The Common Room).\u00a0\u00a0 Mondays – Sundays, 7h30 to 22h00.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Le Quartier Fran\u00e7ais has closed its Bistro iCi, which it opened six years ago, and has turned the informal dining room into a new one, called The Common Room, opening four days ago.\u00a0 The new no-reservations restaurant is a relaxed and informal one, and will serve tapas-style food, described as “food to share”. “The Common […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[124,14,20,21],"tags":[7682,7681,32378,7652,3804,7651,32369,574,1311,549,7654,1604,7655,7656,7653,252,32372,4643,7650,7649,3440,32373],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t