As of 15 October 2019 Chef Darren Badenhorst the Chef Patron of Le coin Français in Franschhoek, will manage the food and beverage offering at Leeu Estates, creating a new restaurant in the Manor House called Le chêne (The Oak) that will serve French-inspired dishes made from local produce.
Both the name and concept of this new Le chêne dining experience acknowledge Franschhoek’s history – French Huguenots settled in the valley in the 17th century, hence its name of Franschhoek which derives from the Dutch for “French corner”.
Then, from the start of May 2020, team at La Colombe in Cape Town will move their sister branch La Petite Colombe (which is currently located at Leeu’s Le Quartier Français) into a larger stand-alone space on Leeu Estates that is set amid beautiful gardens, with glorious river and mountain views.
Alongside it will stand a new Everard Read gallery for monumental art, creating a “must-go” destination for food and art aficionados. (La Petite Colombe will be the only Food & Beverage outlet at Leeu Estates not operated by Badenhorst.) Protégé, also operated by the La Colombe team, will remain at Le Quartier Français.
