In December last year we reported that the La Colombe team would be opening a version of the Constantia restaurant in Franschhoek. A date has officially been set, as well as a name for the new restaurant: La Petite Colombe will open its doors on 1 August 2017.

The Franschhoek setting for La Petite Colombe. Photo supplied.

After undergoing some renovations, La Petite Colombe will take the place of Margot Janse’s former restaurant, The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français, which closed its doors last month. In a new partnership with the owners of Leeu Collection, the new fine-dining offering will be run by the capable hands of proprietor chefs and business partners Scot Kirton (Eat Out’s 2015 Chef of the Year) and James Gaag. The pair will be directing a team of talented chefs, including head chef John Norris-Rogers, in order to honour the heritage of the venue as well as bring a taste of La Colombe to Franschhoek.

Chef Scot Kirton and James Gaag of La Colombe. Photo supplied.

As for the food offering, guests can expect an eight- and 12-course tasting menu that will be similar in terms of style and flavour to that of the award-winning La Colombe restaurant in Constantia. The focus will remain on fine local and seasonal produce, as well as a selection of rare and fine wines.

The famous tuna La Colombe. Photo supplied.

On the design front, La Petite Colombe promises to boast a striking interior that will be styled by architects Rohan Young and the Leeu Collection’s interior designer, Beverley Boswell. The feel will be classic, with modern country accents.

La Petite Colombe will open on 1 August 2017 but online reservations are now available via the website www.lapetitecolombe.com.