“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness” – Georges Auguste Escoffier
If you still don’t know who Escoffier is, well he is known as “the father of modern cuisine” and also, he is French. If that doesn’t tell you which country in the world has the best food, then I don’t know what does. Throughout the years, French food became the most sought-after food staple for food aficionados all over the world. When I went to France over the winter holidays, my boyfriend told me that Food is like a religion in France – and every single region has some sort of “special” cuisine that they represent. In his case, the region of Aveyron is well known for its cheese, most specifically the “blue cheese”.
So as a tribute to the upcoming “French Week” from July 8-14 – Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, a popular French-themed hotel and restaurant in the Philippines, will tastefully demonstrate how to “live the French way” with a week-long gastronomic homage to l’art Culinaire Français (French culinary art) featuring French Chef Julien Cossé. It is a global Sofitel tradition to celebrate the rich gastronomic culture of France in a series of regional culinary highlights and an exclusive champagne dinner with an art auction for the most discerning connoisseurs.
As part of Sofitel’s newest global brand campaign “Live the French Way,” French Week showcases the allure of French style through modern gastronomy and art, as an ambassador of French art de Vivre (the art of living) around the world.
The week-long schedule will be as follows:
NICOLAS FEUILLATTE CHAMPAGNE DINNER AT LE BAR | JULY 10, 2019
Other than food, France is well-known for its wines. For this occasion, Sofitel is offering an exclusive champagne dinner as navigated by Nicolas Feuillatte, one of France’s major sparkling wine producers, paired with a vibrant 5-course dinner. During this champagne dinner, there will host a bespoke champagne tasting and a silent auction of fine art from the personal collections of Manila’s art connoisseurs set in the most sophisticated destination.
Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Dinner starts at 6:30 pm. Guarantee a seat for Php 4,000 net.
AFTERNOON HIGH TEA AT LE BAR | JULY 13, 2019
Experience France during the summer featuring delicate scones, sandwiches, and pastries from a French-inspired high tea set menu at Le Bar available from 3pm – 5pm. You can also have your portrait sketched by an artist as a memento and enjoy the afternoon for only Php 1,100 net with a glass of sparkling wine and Php 900 net without wine.
PRIVATE WINE AND CHEESE CLASS AT SPIRAL | JULY 14, 2019
On Bastille Day, discover the delightful tandem of wine and cheese as Spiral’s L’Epicerie serves as center stage for the magnificent variety of artisanal cheese paired with a fine selection of French wine. Featuring Sofitel’s French wine connoisseur Eric Norbert, take part in an afternoon of flavourful discoveries and premier wine pairing.
Private wine and cheese class at Spiral will start at 4:30pm and is available at Php 1,500 net.
LA ROUTE DES VINS (THE WINE ROUTE) AT SPIRAL | JULY 8-14, 2019
Feast on gastronomic specialties prepared by Chef Julien Cossé as he showcases culinary staples from the diverse wine regions of France. Each day for a week at Spiral’s French Stove, Chef Julien presents a selection of culinary highlights from a featured French region, like matelote d’anguilles au Bordeaux (fresh eel stew in wine sauce), duck confit, and cannelés de Bordeaux from the Bordeaux region. Click here to download the full menu list.
The culinary series culminates on Saturday and on Sunday, Bastille Day, with a medley of all featured culinary regions and the crème de la crème of French cuisine.
La Route des Vins is available starting at Php 2,750 net for lunch and Php 3,200 net for dinner.
FRENCH COCKTAILS AT LE BAR | JULY 8-14, 2019
Unwind over signature concoctions inspired by the romantic City of Lights at Le Bar. Choose from a featured cocktail menu including Blenheim, with its blend of champagne spiced with peppercorn syrup; All Grapes, with its stimulating mixture of Ciroc vodka which is derived from frosted grapes and balanced with the refreshing flavor of fresh white grapes; French Kiss with its sweet sensations of vodka and raspberry liqueur; and Bastille, a tangy concoction with gin, Cointreau and pineapple juice.
Le Bar’s French cocktails are available at Php 500 nett
LA GRANDE EPICERIE AT GALETTE | JULY 8-14, 2019
Splurge on a rich selection of international wine or grab a jamon-beurre to-go at the Galette counter located by Le Bar. Available on July 8-14, 2019, enjoy decadent culinary pleasures in an idyllic resonance of La Grande Epicerie de Paris.
…and that concludes it! well, you know what they say – the cheapest way to travel around the world is eating their food, and in my case, since I cannot be with my boyfriend in France, I guess I just might eat my way there – for now.
For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 2 573 5555 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com.
Here is a video of the sneak peek of the event: ENJOY!
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