Bistro Michel just keeps on giving!! They are currently celebrating Chef Michel Morand’s 25th Anniversary in South Africa with two fabulous special offers. Diners to the restaurant can choose a starter, main* and dessert for only R265 a person or a starter and a main* for only R220 per person. (*Mains exclude specials, prawn risotto, Norwegian salmon and cote de boeuf). The special runs from November 16 to December 15.

Bistro Michel starters include snails sautéed and served in gratinated potato; homemade duck liver pâté with melba toast; onion soup topped with Emmental croutons; lamb kidneys sautéed with mushrooms served with Burgundy sauce and Bistro Michel’s homemade terrine accompanied by onion confit.

Salads on the menu include smoked trout with cucumber ribbons on a bed of leaves, drizzled with Tzatziki dressing; duck and rice noodle salad served with cabbage, carrots, coriander and almonds tossed with a lemon, ginger, honey and sesame oil vinaigrette and traditional Cobb salad of crispy bacon, a crumble of blue cheese, tomatoes, diced chicken, boiled egg, lettuce, avocado and a red wine vinaigrette.

For mains try the aged 300g sirloin steak with green peppercorn sauce, the beef tartare served with frites, the slowly braised lamb shank, the pan-fried fish of the day served with horseradish velouté sauce or the herb gnocchi served with artichoke, tomato confit sauce and olives.

Says Morand:  “The South African public has been incredibly good to me over the past 25 years and I have so many loyal customers who have regularly visited my restaurants throughout the years – from Gatrile’s to Auberge Michel and now Bistro Michel. So I felt it was time to reward them with a little something to help me celebrate my silver anniversary of being in South Africa.”

Morand is well known in culinary circles in South Africa.  He was born in France and spent his youth in the winelands. From the age of 10 he started cooking thanks to the influence of both his grandmothers.

He trained at France’s Thonon Hotel School and upon graduation moved to the UK where he started work at The Great Fosters Hotel in Surrey. He then moved to the US where he worked at Disney World. Morand then returned to France to do his military service. Due to his international experience he was made butler for First General Dupont de Dinechin, Inspector General of the French Military Forces.

Morand moved to South Africa in November 1991 and was appointed manager of Johannesburg dining institution Gatrile’s, later becoming a partner until the restaurant closed in 2003. His next venture was the acclaimed Auberge Michel which closed after its lease expired and the premises were demolished for an office block development.

In 2015 Michel opened Bistro Michel in the Blubird Shopping centre.

Bistro Michel was honoured recently at the American Express Platinum Fine Dining Awards. The 18th edition of these coveted culinary awards presents a definitive list of the country’s 100 exceptional restaurants by American Express.

Bistro Michel also offers a good selection of local and international wines.
Bistro Michel
Address: Blubird Shopping Centre, Corner Atholl-Oaklands Road And Fort Street, Birnam
Telephone: 011 440 0769