Aperol with Bellenda San Fermo prosecco
I’m a petit peu France~obsessed and have just returned from a week in Paris, so when I received the invitation to Societi Bistro’s Tour Through France I was très delighted. The annual culinary journey, now in its 9th year, is happening every week (Wed-Tues) until 26 September, showcasing food from ten different regions, paired with exceptional wines. From hearty comfort food like cassoulet to delicate desserts like profiteroles, it’s a real celebration of gallic gastronomy.
Warm Oysters à la Poitou-Charentes
If touring France on a plate is not quite what you feel like, and you prefer a LDM moment (Let’s Do Lunch), pop in and feast from the a la carte menu where many of the dishes are named after the bold and the beautiful of Cape Town, like my good friend Bianca Lee Coleman. On my second visit to Societi I opted for two starters since it was lunch time and I felt like eating small (portions are generous) – I chose the West Coast mussels (moules) drenched in the most addictive sauce made with onion, oven-roasted garlic, cream and white wine, served with crispy croûtes on the side, and the crudo – tofu dusted in sesame seeds and lightly fried, with shaved fennel, parsnips, coriander and carrots. Again, the dressing – lemon, lime and honey – was amazing.
Crudo – tofu dusted in sesame seeds and lightly fried, with shaved fennel, parsnips, coriander and carrots
Our waiter Hilton was on point with his wine recommendations – a sublime Constantia Royale sauvignon blanc went perfectly with the mussels, and Springfield’s divine Whole Berry cab sav with the crudo, which might have been an odd choice for some but I was just in the mood. I could actually have it with pronutro I love it so much!
And then owner Peter Weetman brought out the Bellenda San Fermo Prosecco and voila, there was a flute of brut, followed by a glass of Aperol Spritz and a memory of summertime in Corsica, which is the last region on this tour by the way, from 20 – 26 September.
West Coast mussels done in the most addictive sauce with onion, oven-roasted garlic, cream, white wine
The prosecco made me…with Peter Weetman, owner of Societi Bistro, the perfect host
So if you have Fomo because your friends are sunning it up in France while we grit our teeth through the rest of winter, take heart mes amies, because you can have your own piece of Franco foodie heaven on Orange Street and mangez your way through Paris, Normandy, the Loire Valley, Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy and more….no need to book a flight, just a table!
Bon appetit!
