April 2021 - Matilda Marseillaise

Where to dine for Mother’s Day 2021 French style?

30 April 202130 April 2021Matilda Marseillaise

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Want to take your Mum out for a French meal for Mother’s Day 2021? Fortunately, 2021 sees a return of in-restaurant dining after last year’s COVID-19 restaurant closures. In this article, we share French restaurants that are open for Mother’s Day 2021 and let you know what they have planned.

ADELAIDE
BRISBANE
MELBOURNE
NOOSA
PERTH
SYDNEY

ADELAIDE

Hey Jupiter

http://heyjupiter.com.au/

Hey Jupiter will be open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

BRISBANE

Boucher

http://www.boucher.com.au/

For Mother’s Day 2021, Boucher are offering a four course menu with a choice of three courses for lunch and Dinner. This is comprised of Amuse bouche/ entrée/ main/ dessert and glass of Champagne for mum for $85 per head.

C’est Bon

https://cestbon.com.au/

C’est Bon has a few things planned for Mother’s Day, with their hamper selection still to come.

Mother’s Day Paint & Sip lesson

Come and celebrate Mother’s Day creatively – paint your Mum!

Hosted by Pinot & Picasso South Brisbane, come and join C’est Bon on their Rooftop for a French Inspired brunch whilst celebrating the special lady in your life.

A brunch style menu and beverages will be available for additional purchases.

For the full C’est Bon experience, stay on for lunch afterwards. Book via this link: https://www.pinotandpicasso.com.au/southbrisbane/session/pop-up-at-cest-bon-rooftop/?fbclid=IwAR1ccpzi-fgZJo8Xc6-x47_VvFqMy7C51NSKDMD9M2-jL-XtUQqANlD5lAs

Mother’s Day lunch

Greeted with a glass of Rosé Champagne on arrival, you will be delighted by a 3 course set menu with the additional option of matching wines on the day.

A little take home treat from C’est Bon for Mum will make her feel that extra bit special.

Reserve you place via this link:

https://bookings.nowbookit.com/?accountid=4fa7a062-2e9c-4a15-b7a2-e9ae45d86833&theme=light&accent=hex%2Cbcaaa4&venueid=1726&date=2021-05-09&serviceids=event_GNKYHJOW9PP0F_1618899301718

Sofitel Brisbane Central

Sofitel Brisbane Central invites you to spoil your mum and celebrate the French way with them this Mother’s Day. They have prepared a celebration like no other with a variety of gastronomical delights. Because food is how we express our thanks and love for the mums in our lives.

Thyme2 Buffet Breakfast & Lunch

Throw out the calorie counter and treat mum to the ultimate indulgence, their famous buffet breakfast. Or have a sleep in and practice the art of the long lunch paired with Australian sparkling wine. No matter how you choose to celebrate, you’ll delight in an array of French pastries, breakfast classics, cheeses, breads, seafood, and so much more.

from $55 pp*

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK

High Tea

Have the cake and eat it too? Oui, c’est possible when you treat your mum to a Sofitel high tea. Choose from either a buffet style experience served in Cuvée Lounge or a traditional high tea with views over the city in Club Milliseme on level 30 of the hotel.

from $99 pp*

To book call 3835 3535 or email [email protected]

Dinner

What’s cooking for dinner in Thyme2 Restaurant? Only the freshest wholesome dishes, bien sûr. Celebrate into the night and toast to the most amazing women in your life. Spaces are limited so book now!

Mains from $38*

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK

MELBOURNE

Bon Ap’

https://www.bonap.com.au/

For Mother’s Day 2021, Bon Ap’ will be running 2 or 3 courses for lunch and dinner similar to the dinner menu that you can find on their website.

Chez Olivier

https://www.chezolivier.com.au/

Mother’s Day menu for Lunch on May 9th.

Reservations to be made over the phone on 0395252273

Cost $95 per head. 2 hours sitting. 11.30am and 1.45pm

Entrecôte

https://www.entrecote.com.au

They are open for both Mother’s Day brunch and lunch and have set menus.

Entrecôte are taking reservations enquiries via phone and email and are taking credit card details as security for all bookings for a 7 day cancellation period.

And the lunch menu:

Frenchilicious Kitchen

www.frenchiliciouskitchen.com.au

Frenchilicious Kitchen is doing a Mother’s day special menu this year for pick-up from Carnegie.

It is a 4 course menu with an amuse bouche, entrée, main and dessert for $49 per person (minimum 2 per order).

There is a choice of 2 mains (1 for the order) and a choice of 2 desserts (can be different).

Here is the link to order

https://www.frenchiliciouskitchen.com.au/a-la-carte-menu/frenchilicious-kitchen-set-menu-mothersday

Park Hyatt Melbourne with Pierrick Boyer of Café Reverie

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=746739&

Treat your mother to a quintessential high tea experience.

Indulge in the timeless tradition of high tea with a French flair as award-winning international French Pâtissier – Chef Pierrick Boyer from Rêverie Café introduces an exquisite selection of pastries to Park Hyatt Melbourne’s high tea for Mother’s Day.

In 2017, Pierrick was awarded the acclaimed ‘Gault & Millau’ Pastry Chef of the Year. Pierrick brings the delicacy of fine French patisseries to be enjoyed in the elegant setting of a modern-Melburnian dining destination.

Mother’s Day High Tea service in radii restaurant:

Date: Sunday 09th May 2021

First seating: 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Second seating: 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Price:

$115 per person – includes a Gin inspired cocktail on arrival, free-flowing of sparkling rosé, tea and coffee

$49 per child (4-12yrs) – includes non-alcoholic beverages

$25 per child (3yrs and under) – includes non-alcoholic beverages

As a special gift, all guests joining Park Hyatt Melbourne High Tea will take home an exceptional gift, specially crafted by Pierrick Boyer.

NOOSA

Frenchie’s Brassserie

https://frenchiesbrasserie.com.au/noosa/

Frenchie’s Brasserie in Noosa will be open for lunch and dinner for Mother’s Day 2021. No set menu but some specials will be available on the day.

PERTH

Chez Pierre

https://chezpierre.com.au/mothers/

Chez Pierre is hosting a Mother’s Day lunch for $90 per Person

AMUSE BOUCHE
WILD MUSHROOM VOLUTE, SERVED WITH FRENCH BAGUETTE AND ISIGNY BUTTER

ENTRÉE
CRÊPES AUX FRUITS DE MER
SEAFOOD CRÊPE, FILLED WITH FRESH LOCAL PRAWNS, SCALLOPS, FISH, LEEKS, FENNEL AND MUSHROOMS IN A DILL & LIME ZEST MORNAY SAUCE ENCASED IN A SAVOURY CRÊPE TOPPED WITH A LIGHT BERCY SAUCE, SPINACH AND GRATINÉE WITH FROMAGE UNDER THE GRILL

PÂTÉ MAISON
HOME-MADE CHICKEN LIVER, PEPPERCORN, AND COGNAC PATE, SERVED WITH PORK RILLETTES, SPICED FRENCH GHERKINS, SPICED CRANBERRY CHUTNEY AND CARAMELISED RED ONION COMPOTE

MAINS
CONFIT DE CANARD, SAUCE A L’ORANGE
SALTED AND CONFIT DUCK LEG, SLOWLY COOKED IN DUCK FAT OVER 8 HOURS AND SERVED WITH CREAMY POMME PUREE, BUTTER AND ORANGE GLAZED BABY HEIRLOOM CARROTS, AND FINISHED WITH A CLASSIC ORANGE AND GRAND MARNIER SAUCE

FILET DE BŒUF
TENDER HARVEY FILLET OF BEEF SERVED WITH CREAMY POMME PUREE, SAUTÉED GREEN VEGETABLES, AND FINISHED WITH A CREAMY GREEN PEPPERCORN & COGNAC SAUCE

POISSON DU JOUR
FRESH FISH OF THE DAY

DESSERT
PARIS BREST
A TRADITIONAL FRENCH PASTRY MADE OF CHOUX PASTRY, FILLED WITH A SALTED CARAMEL, HAZELNUT CRÈME & PRALINE WHIPPED CREAM SERVED WITH CHOCOLATE CRISPS & ICING SUGAR THIS DESSERT IS NAMED AFTER THE FAMOUS PARIS–BREST BICYCLE RACE

INCLUDES COFFEE OR TEA

SYDNEY

Bistro Rex

https://bistrorex.com.au/

Open for lunch or dinner on Mother’s Day, Bistro Rex have created a special Mother’s Day cocktail, dessert, and other menu items for the occasion!

Bistro Rex Mother's Day / La Fete des meres — One of Bistro Rex’s mouth watering desserts

Bistro St Jacques

https://www.bistrostjacques.com.au/

This year all the fabulous Mums receive a glass of beautiful organic French Champagne from Nathalie Falmet complémentaire, with a big hug from Bistro St Jacques…

Bistro St Jacques will be open for lunch and dinner on Mothers Day Sunday 9th May and will offer their very popular three course à la carte menu for $75.00 (Yes!, anything from the menu, entrée/main/dessert – no set menu. Three course menu not compulsory, two course minimum order.)

AMUSE BOUCHE
Daily house-baked bread, seasoned butter 5
Marinated Provençal olives 9
Old school garlic bread 7
Freshly shucked Pambula oysters with Champagne vinegar
& French shallot dressing side half doz 25/ doz 48

ENTREE 25
Vegetable tart with cep mushroom, leek & Comté tart with house-made puff pastry
and a wild rocket & pine nut salad
House-cured ocean trout marinated in organic French Loire white wine, olive oil &
aromatic herbs. Thinly sliced and served with green grapes, beetroot, watercress &
dill, dressed with verjuice & Joseph cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
Scorched duck liver parfait a sweet spiced carrot relish & old school garlic bread /
extra garlic bread + 7
Seared scallops, gratinéed in the shell with mushroom duxelle, bechamel sauce &
gruyère cheese
Selection of artisanal charcuterie from La Boqueria with house-made pickled
vegetables & fresh bread

MAIN COURSE
Civet de canard aux pruneaux: duck leg braised in red wine with prunes & dark
chocolate, served with a broad bean & potato mash 46
Slow roasted hasselback beetroot & caramelised celeriac on a white bean purée
with toasted walnuts, fresh dill & soft chèvre 36
Butter-poached blue-eye cod with lobster tail & caviar on sautéed spinach, confit
garlic & sauce hollandaise 55 (+10 on three-course special)
Heritage meat special sourced from Feather & Bone butchers, cooked with love –
waitstaff will inform @ MP
Steak-frites (pron. “steak-freet”) 150-gram grass-fed, Northern NSW eye
fillet steak with house-made organic potato fries 45
Sauce options: Café de Paris butter / Poivrade (pepper) /Bordelaise
(beautiful, rich, red wine & bone marrow reduction sauce) + 5

SIDES 9/14
Organic Sebago fries / seasonal organic green vegetables /
Organic baby cos & iceberg lettuce salad with crème fraîche
dressing & crispy shallots

FROMAGE 28
Selection of two or more cheeses from their selection, with bread, fruit
and nuts (for 2 x 30-gram cheeses/ +9 extra cheese)

DESSERT 17
Thin apple tart with warm dark caramel sauce, pear & Armagnac
sorbet and caramel crown
Vanilla crème brûlée with late season strawberries, blackberry & Pastis sorbet
Baked dark chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce & hazelnut mascarpone
Affogato: fresh espresso, Italian hazelnut liquor, house-made ice-cream 22 (+ 5 on
three course special)

To book your table simply click here to book online https://www.bistrostjacques.com.au/ or call them on 0478 705 704

Bitton Gourmet

www.bittongourmet.com.au

This year Bitton Gourmet have set menus for breakfast, lunch and, for the first time ever, dinner too!

BREAKFAST
Your choice of the following:

Eggs Benedict with Lobster or Bacon
Chilli Scrambled Eggs, Sourdough Toast, Bitton Spicy Pickled Vegetables
Eggs served your way with a choice of Bacon, Mushrooms or Rosti
Avocado on Gluten Free Bake Bar Bread, a Boiled Egg, Feta Cheese, Dukkah
Sautéed Mushroom, Soft Goats Cheese, a Poached Egg, Herb Crumb on Sourdough Toast
Fresh Herb and Cheese Omelette, Bitton Spicy Tomato Sauce

all served with a Tea, Coffee or Orange Juice.

Includes a choice of one side: Crispy Bacon, Potato Rosti, Avocado, Spicy Baked Beans, Lamb Merguez Sausage or Sautéed Mushrooms

$35 per person, last booking at 10.30am

Note children under the age of 12 years can order from their kids la carte menu for a set price of $20 including a drink of their choice

LUNCH AND DINNER

Appetiser
Goats Cheese, Red Capsicum Jam, Deep Fried Basil

Entrée
Herb Crumbed King George Whiting Fillet, Leek, Tomato, Preserved Lemon Salsa

Main
Lamb Rump, Charred Broccoli, Sauce Choron, Gratin Dauphinoise

Dessert
White Chocolate Mousse, Pistachio Sponge, Dark Chocolate Crumble

Petit Four
Blood Orange Macaron

$80 per person, booking for Lunch from 12noon until 2.30pm, Dinner bookings from 5pm

Note children under the age of 12 years can order from their kids la carte menu for a set price of $25 including a drink of their choice

Bonne fête des mères!

Make your reservation for any of the Bitton Gourmet locations via the website: https://www.bittongourmet.com.au/events/mothers-day-bitton

Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon

www.claireskitchen.com.au

Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon is open for lunch for Mother’s day.

Purchase your tickets via this link:

https://www.claireskitchen.com.au/events-1/mothers-day-lunch

Four Frogs Creperie

https://www.fourfrogs.com.au

To celebrate Mother’s Day 2021, Four Frogs Creperie has partnered with Sacrebleu! to offer a wonderful treat to all Mums and their families: a madeleine!

Anyone who gets their special menu will get:

1 glass of Mumm Champagne
1 galette
1 crêpe
1 madeleine From Sacrebleu!

Price: $49 per person

This offer is available at all locations, on Saturday 8 May and Sunday 9 May

Four Frogs Creperie are also accepting the NSW vouchers in all of their shops and you are welcome to use them on Mother’s Day!

Frenchie’s Brasserie

www.frenchiesbrasserie.com.au

Frenchie’s Brasserie Sydney has a set menu for Mother’s Day 2021. Their set 3-course menu designed by Head Chef Jeremy Pace, will make celebrating Mother’s Day easy. It costs $89 per person.

Entrée

Harvey bay scallop, butternut pumpkin, pepitas, lemon chicken jus

Twice baked Blue cheese souffle, petite salad

Main

Roast lamb rack, eggplant, black garlic, rosemary jus

Confit ocean trout, Jerusalem artichoke, bisque

Dessert

Frenchies lemon bombe alaska

Dark chocolate parfait, raspberry sorbet

Book your Mother’s Day 2021 lunch at Frenchie’s Brasserie by this link:

https://bookings.nowbookit.com/?accountid=a52af3f2-d3e2-46dc-b085-e212e726acab&theme=light&accent=hex,009688&venueid=790&date=2021-05-09&serviceids=event_NWCTWQVNJAQQ7_1615264164220

Loluk Bistro

http://www.lolukbistro.com.au/

Loluk Bistro will be open for lunch from 12pm-4pm with a glass of Loluk sparkling wine offered to all Mums.

Monopole

www.monoplesydney.com.au

For Mother’s Day 2021 Lunch Monopole will be offering a Shared style menu for $80 per person.

There is a 2 hour dining time for this booking. Please note for groups of 8 or more a 10 % service charge applies.

Cancellation Policy

Credit card details are required to secure your booking.

If you were to cancel less than 48 hours in advance or not arrive for your booking your card would be charged for $80 per person.

All cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]

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How are you celebrating Mother’s Day 2021?

If you’re still looking for Mother’s Day gifts, have a look at our French Mother’s Day 2021 gifts suggestions. Also, if you’re still looking for food ideas but not wanting to go out for a meal, make sure you check back on Monday when we will publish a list of edible Mother’s Day 2021 gifts in your city.

International Viognier Day: an Australian celebration for a French varietal

30 April 202130 April 2021Matilda Marseillaise

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Today is International Viognier Day, a recent celebration of the French white wine varietal, viognier, which was initiated in Australia. In this article, we tell you about viognier grapes, viognier wines, where viognier is grown and made, the history of International Viognier Day as well as perhaps most importantly sharing which French viogniers French wine importers recommend.

VIOGNIER ORIGINS

The grape

There are a few question marks over the various stories of viognier’s origins. Some claim that is is an ancient grape which originated in Dalmatia (what is now known as Croatia) which was brought to the Rhône by the Romans. There are two separate legends within this brought by Romans to France origin story. The first is that Roman Emperor Probus brought it to the region in 281AD. The second is that the viognier grape, packaged with syrah, was travelling on a cargo ship along the Rhône River en route to Beaujolais, which was captured by local outlaws known as culs de piaux.

There are even competing stories about the DNA research that has been done on viognier grapes. https://www.vinodiversity.com/ claims that Viognier is related to Mondeuse Blanc and to Shiraz and likely came about in the 18th century so well after Roman times. However, another suggests much more Italian origins. A 2004 Californian study found viognier was a close relation of Freisa, a grape from the Italian Piedmont region, and was a genetic cousin of Nebbiolo.

The name

Even the origins of the name viognier are under dispute. It is commonly said to have taken its name from Vienne, near Lyon which was a major Roman outpost. It is also said to have taken its name from the Roman “via Gehennae”, meaning the “Road of the Valley of Hell”, which is likely a reference to the difficulty of growing viognier.

WHAT IS VIOGNIER?

Viognier is a yellow grape and a French white wine varietal. Due to disease, by 1965 only about 8 hectares existed in France but this has now increased again to about 300 hectares.

WHAT ARE VIOGNIER GRAPES LIKE?

Viognier grapes are a yellowy-green colour with thick skins. Unfortunately, it is a grape that is prone to powdery mildew and many other vineyard diseases. When ready for picking, the viognier grapes turn a deep yellow colour.

It grows well in warm climates and with long growing seasons but it also grows in cooler areas where soils retain heat.

WHAT IS VIOGNIER WINE LIKE?

WInes made from Viognier grapes have a clear golden colour and usually have apricot, apple, peach spice, floral, and citrus flavours,. They also tend to be dry, medium-bodied and low in acid.

The colour and aromas of the viognier varietal could tend to indicate a sweet wine but Viognier wines are predominantly dry, although sweet late-harvest dessert wines have been made from Viognier.

There’s also said to be two different strains of viognier which produce quite different viognier varietal wines within France. Wine expert Remington Norman says that there is the “Old World” strain, common in Condrieu, as well as a “New World” strain, found in the Languedoc and other areas

WHAT WINES DOES IT PRODUCE?

Viognier grapes are used to produce both single varietal wines as well as blends.

Single varietal wines

Viognier grapes are the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhône Valley.

In Languedoc, most Viogniers are sold as Vin de Pays.

Blends

In the Rhône wine region, the grape is often blended with Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache blanc, and Rolle.
In the Northern Rhône, the grape is sometimes blended with Chardonnay.
In the Côte-Rôtie AOC, red wine blends can include up to 20% of Viognier though most winemakers add no more than 5%.

WHAT OTHER NAMES DOES IT HAVE?

Bergeron, Barbin, Rebolot, Greffou, Picotin Blanc, Vionnier, Petiti Vionnier, Viogne, Galopine, Vugava bijela.

WHERE IS VIOGNIER GROWN AND MADE AROUND THE WORLD?

Outside of France, Viognier is produced across many countries of the world.

USA

California’s Central Coast is the leading producer with over 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of the grape planted
In 2011 Viognier was named Virginia’s signature white grape.
Viognier is also grown in Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Missouri and Arizona.

CANADA

Viognier is produced in British Columbia and the Niagara and Lake Erie North Shore regions of Ontario.

MEXICO

Valle de Guadalupe and Baja California both produce viognier.

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina and Chile have significant plantings of viognier. Some Brazilian and Uruguayan wine producers are also experimenting with viognier.

AUSTRALIA

Yalumba is Australia’s largest producer of Viognier grapes.

Other areas with Viognier plantings include:

Clare Valley,
Murray River,
McLaren Vale,
Barossa Valley,
Adelaide Hills,
Canberra,
Geographe,
South Burnett,
Geelong,
Nagambie Lakes,
Mornington Peninsula,
Yarra Valley,
Rutherglen, and
Pyrenees.

THE HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL VIOGNIER DAY

While Viognier is a French varietal, it was Australian wine producer Yalumba that set the date of the last Friday in April as the day for International Viognier Day. The 2021 edition is the first International Viognier Day.

FRENCH VIOGNIER RECOMMENDATIONS

Le Plonque

https://leplonque.com.au

Margot from Le Plonque shares her thoughts on viognier with us for International Viognier Day.

VIOGNIER SENSATION

Since it’s International Viognier Day, let’s talk about this beautiful variety that people tend to forget!

Viognier originates from the Northern Rhone in France, it is a white variety that produces oily white wines that are often aged in oak (in the same way as for Chardonnay). If it was for a long time, a variety from the old world, it is now getting very popular in the New World, notably in California.

Viognier wines have a very aromatic nose, full of fruit and flowers, such as tangerine, peach, mango, honeysuckle and rose. They’re medium dry, medium-bodied, with low tannins and a medium acidity.

What to eat with your glass of Viognier? This wine pairs best with delicate meats or scallops, especially when flavoured with stewed fruit, almonds, citrus or aromatic herbs such as basil or tarragon.

If you’re looking for a nice bottle of Viognier to celebrate, try Viognier Sensation from Domaine de Saint-Benezet, south of France. It is currently available on our website for $17.90. Order a 6 Pack now and get a discount + FREE DELIVERY.

To place your order, follow the link below.

https://leplonque.com.au/search.php?search_query=viognier&section=product

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Happy International Viognier Day! What’s your favourite viognier?