Stef Marais.
Stefan Marais is as about as French as you get around these parts. His name alone betrays his Huguenot origins.
Sure they’ve named an entire district after him in Paris.
So the thinking is that if he were to do a French inspired menu it would be special. And special it is.
Authentic regional dishes are made with local seasonal South African ingredients.
The Mussels in an Apple Cider Sauce are fresh West Coast mussels. And the sauce is made from Elgin Valley apples.
The Gurnard cooked in a fennel, leek and caper sauce is about as authentically Norman as you can get. The same fish is found in South African waters.
You would not do better at the best quayside fish restaurant in Deauville (and at half the price).
The Apple Tarte Tatin speaks for itself.
I am looking forward to some of the other regions – Alsace for some good Franco-German cuisine and Provence-Cotes d’Azur for some great bouillebaisse.
And while I’m on the subject – isn’t Stefan one of the finest looking chefs that we have in South Africa?
These poor guys are left to toil and sweat in the back kitchens, and we rarely get a chance to look at them when they are happy and relaxed.
So here’s my pic of Stefan, wishing you well with the Tour de France, and I hope the preparations for Brasserie Tokai are coming along nicely.
Societi Bistro
50 Orange St
021 424 2100.
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Why thank you! As always, you are ridiculously generous with your praise and compliments. I’m just a pretty average guy that loves food and digs cooking! We’ve been having a great time cooking the Italian and now the French inspired menus. They have been immensely popular and a great success so far! The Brasserie preparations are going on full steam!