Just a quick note for those of you who are not already aware of what I have been preparing these last few weeks. I’ve managed to persuade a local organic café (l’Echappée) to let me take over the place for a day and a half preparing for one service during the evening on Saturday 20th December.
I have 50 reservations (a mixture of friends, colleagues and even some of you from the “blog” world) ranging from 7pm and 9.30pm, so I’ll be in the kitchen for a good 5 hour service. The idea is to give myself the chance to do my own menu in a professional environment – as if I had my own place, but without the hassle.
During the evening there will be music that I have selected, with the help of my neighbours Fred and Chloé. There will also be some photos from my blog on display, as well as one or 2 photos of chefs that have influenced me.
As for the menu, a mix of influences from France, Italy, south east Asia and, of course, back home. I’ll leave you to spot the geographic influences in the various dishes…..
There’ll be a set menu of 4 or 6 courses for everyone and you will only pay the cost price for the food (including cost of paying staff)…so damn cheap (19€ 4 courses, 24€ 6 courses). The menu is
Amuse Bouche (anchovy and olive stuffed gnocchi topped with confit tomato purée, and spoon filled with basil and roasted tomato chantilly with Pata Negra ham)
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Cauliflower velouté with nut and apple garnish
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Salmon « chaud-froid »
(cold salt cured salmon with citrus fruit, hot salmon nem with coriander) with winter salad and orange vinaigrette
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Butternut Squash Risotto with roasted Scallop and Nuoc Mäm espuma
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Pigeon thigh confit and breast stuffed with Fois Gras, dates
and winter roots
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Goats Cheese on roasted beetroot with salad and beetroot vinaigrette
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« Bread and Butter Pudding »,
yoghurt with 4 spice clementines
