 Serge is writing a food
and wine column for
French Magazine, available at all good newsagents.
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Message from Le Patron
 As part of our quest to keep abreast of the latest happenings on the French food and wine scene, this summer I visited Alsace with my wife, Annette. This is a very picturesque region and not quite as hot as my native Provence. We arrived in the city of Colmar in time for the 14th July Bastille celebrations and savoured some excellent local wines, several of which are on the list at La Barbe, including Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Colmar is a very charming city - the colours and atmosphere of its streets and alley-ways have been well preserved since the Middle Ages, and the ancient houses are reflected in the canals.
During the Bastille festivities French people really get into the holiday mood and the atmosphere in Colmar was very special. Back in Reigate, La Barbe’s Bastille Night celebrations went down a storm, with partygoers enjoying the occasion in Surrey’s own little piece of France.
We returned to Provence through the Vercors region where the mountainous scenery is inspiring. The area offers specialities such as goats’ cheeses, walnut oil and the famous Clairette de Die sparkling wine. Stopping at a restaurant to enjoy regional delicacies in a friendly environment is quite different from the somewhat intriguing science-based “molecular” cooking which seems to be the trend of the moment. I think it will be a while before you find liquid nitrogen featuring on the menu at La Barbe! Serge Tassi |
Sunday celebrations
Anniversaries, birthdays, christenings and family
gatherings – whatever the occasion, La Barbe is
a great place to meet for Sunday lunch, followed
by a stroll in beautiful Priory Park, where the
play area and sports grounds are perfect for
younger members of the group to let off steam.
On Sundays, the car park is free and on-street
restrictions are lifted in Bell Street outside the
restaurant – very handy if you have elderly or
disabled members of the party. |
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La Fête du Fromage
La Barbe’s customers enjoy a gastronomic journey
November 2009
 France is one of the foremost cheese-making nations of the
world, with over 500 different types of cheese. Many of these
are regional specialities from distinct “terroirs” – each with their
own unique combination of climate, soil, milk and traditions.
Steeped in history, some can be traced back for centuries.
During La Barbe’s Fête du Fromage,
Chef de Cuisine Laurent Pacaud and
cheese expert Jenny Deeprose combined
their expertise to compose a cheese
selection ‘extraordinaire’, accompanied
by specially prepared tasting notes.
“I travel all around the world learning
about cheeses and some of my all-time
favourites come from France,” says
Jenny, who judges at the World Cheese
Awards and the annual Paris Concours Agricole. “I was delighted when La Barbe
approached me to collaborate on La
Fête du Fromage. Sampling cheeses is
a labour of love for me and the biggest
challenge is always choosing which ones
to showcase.” |
Make a night of it
The Cranleigh Hotel is offering La Barbe Club Card holders a special rate for double rooms. The hotel is in West Street, Reigate, just a short stroll from the restaurant, and has an outdoor swimming pool. The special rates, which are subject to availability, are £80 for a Saturday and £85 all other nights, including full English breakfast. To book, please call The Cranleigh direct on 01737 223417. Read more –
www.CranleighHotel.com
Are you e-enabled?
La Barbe Club Card members can now
join the email list by visiting the website
and clicking on the Club Card icon.
Do it today to ensure
you’re kept up to date
with news, promotions
and special events. |
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Out and about
 Lessons with Laurent
Chef Laurent returned to the classroom when
he visited Reigate Grammar to teach a group of Year
4 students how to make lemon tart “par excellence”.
The biggest challenge came with the rolling of the pastry, reported
Laurent, who ended his master class by demonstrating how to present
the tarts the professional way – decorated with fruit and chocolate.
His verdict? “I really enjoyed myself and the class went very well.
I think there are some budding young chefs at Reigate Grammar– who knows, perhaps one of them will be the next Raymond Blanc!”
 Boules victory
The 15th Annual Reigate Boules Tournament took place on
Saturday 11th July and raised £150 for the Reigate Business
Guild Christmas light appeal. After a very competitive final,
Team La Barbe (Nelly, Caroline and Tiffany) won the day.
Sponsored spin
 Regular customers Nathan and Louise Day
went to extreme lengths to work off their
latest meal at La Barbe, by cycling 56 miles
from Clapham Common to Brighton.
Their ride – sponsored by La Barbe - was
all in a good cause, raising over £800 for
the British Heart Foundation.
The Days calculated that they burnt around 6,000 calories
between them during the 6 hour journey and were hoping to visit
La Barbe very soon to top them up again. |
